On the International Day to Combat AIDS, Orquídeas del Mar organized an activity together with the Committee for the Prevention of Violence against Sex Workers and the UNDP.

During the day there were talks and male condoms were distributed.

Orquídeas integrates the Prevention Committee of the 6º District of El Salvador with the municipality, the Civil National Police, agents of CAM and health & social security units and business owners where female sex workers exert their activity.

María Consuelo Raymond, president of Orquídeas, explained: «This is an important space, where the legalization of the sex work zone of the great San Salvador is been proposed».

As we share in recent reports (read note “Going for more”), during the workshop on Political Advocacy and Communication, the participants agreed that the priority is to have in every country member of RedTraSex a Law recognizing sex work as work.

In this sense, Haydée Laínez, coordinator of the Central American Region and member of the Board of the network, said: «Being in the Committee for the Prevention of Violence against Sex Workers will allow us to carry out the objectives set at a regional level of recognition of sex work».

Violence is a violation to our human rights, and is one of the factors that leads to greater vulnerability to HIV among our fellows. We know that to reduce exposure to HIV, we should ensure respect for our human rights and, for achieving that, our work of advocacy in public policies is essential, as well as participating in decision-making spaces. We therefore welcome the participation of our fellows in the Committee of Prevention, hoping that more districts of El Salvador to join this policy.