Women Power

This was originally written in Spanish and posted on August 08.

The conference seemed divided into two camps: the "serious" and cientific one and the social and community oriented one. It the bus I heard that there are many reaserchers that say they don't want to return to these conferences because "they are too social and not that scientific". For me thats the problem with researchers: they wish to separate a disease from those who have it and that is why I think there isn't more suport to microbicides and new means of protection. In fact, the posibility to connect with people from all over the world, activists and hear about prevention and education was what I liked the most about the conference. I spent most of my time in the cultural and social area, known as the Global Village. And at the Global Village I spent most of my time listening to a team of women who taught me very much about equity, human rights, prevention and self-esteem.

Among the sex workers what I saw was a cult to women: to their ability to choose what is best for her, and not just chose what society decides is good for them. Every day they face prejudices that determine that women need to escape sex work and "learn other trades"... while other job opportunities don´t pay the same, women from all over the world will continue to choose risking their lives as illegal workers than face the absurd exploitation in sweatshops, where not only will they be mistreated, but also will receive starving wages.

The most amazing moments for me were specifically 3: in the DASPU fashion show of the Brazilian prostitutes, in the theatre performance of Honey Bee Special and in the closing event where Mariko Passion sang. These sex workers and Brazilian prostitues come in all forms, shapes and sizes. It goes against everything that we as women are taught: that to attract men we have to be thin, blonde, big breasted and seen and not heard as well as dressed to impress. And well, no. They are sexy and pretty and they don't conform to any standard. They live on offering their sexual services, people pay them for their company, for their skills and to spend some hours with them. On top of that, they are activists constantly educating their peers and the community on information regarding human rights and health. They laugh in the face of conventions that constantly reminds women what our place in society is: always as a second class citizen and in the shadow of others, alient to what happens to our bodies, with men in power deciding what is best for us: whether abortion, contraception, sexual education, whether we are allowed or not to use miniskirts in public and in government offices. I admire them.

I admire the strength by which they defend their work, their life choices and they fight to decriminalize their work. Because not only is their job tough, they have to fight against discrimination, police, the stigma because of what they do, and no one ever points a finger at their clients. I also admire my newfound trans friends, because they are victims of even tougher discrimination on top of what biological women receive. Because if there is something I learned during these days are that human rights are for all. For all. All.