In recent years, thanks to our tireless fight, we have come a long way, to the point that among other achievements, we lowered the prevalence of HIV in sex workers women of the region.

However, there are always obstacles and now we find one we are going through at regional level. The governments of many of our countries have been designing some serious policies to avoid the scourge of trafficking persons for sexual exploitation. We celebrate that to happen, because it is also our interest to be a priority item on the states’ agenda. However, in many of our countries have taken steps that are not only unconducive to the end proposed, but also very effective at criminalizing our work. And there is still very large focusing error when discussing these topics.
 
That’s why we are also working at the regional level in raising awareness about the difference between sex work and trafficking for sexual exploitation. Because to err our look it is not for free, and the political mistakes make us throw away years of work.
 
We always say that it is extremely important that governments listened to sex workers women when designing strategies to stop persons trafficking and sexual exploitation of children. We want and we know that we can contribute a lot about the subject. Being carried along by magical actions makes us lose precious time in the fight and, in most cases, it directly affects women who we are dedicated autonomously, by our free choice, to exercise sex work.
 
Our organizations are working hard to make the voice of sex workers women is taken into account when designing policies that affect us as women, workers, citizens.
 
We are still standing with more force than ever, totally together and more organized, to transform our living conditions and making effective our right for a life free of violence, with integral health care and without stigma or discrimination.
 
As usual, we give our gratitude for your support in this fight.

 
Elena Eva Reynaga
RedTraSex Executive Secretary