Spanish
Every June 2nd commemorates the International Sex Worker's Day, a date that seeks to highlight the struggle of people who engage in sex work for their human, labor, and social rights. This commemoration was born in response to decades of exclusion, stigmatization, and systematic violence against those who engage in sex work worldwide.
The history of this date dates back to June 2, 1975, when more than 100 sex workers occupied the Saint-Nizier church in Lyon, France, as a form of protest against police abuse, arbitrary arrests, and conditions of vulnerability they faced on the streets. This peaceful strike lasted for several days and generated a wave of solidarity and mobilization in other European cities, setting a precedent in the fight for the rights of sex workers.
Since then, various feminist, human rights organizations, and pro-rights movements have adopted this date as a key moment to reflect on the situation of people who engage in sex work in precarious conditions, without legal recognition or adequate labor protection.
Who are sex workers?
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines sex work as “lthe provision of sexual services in exchange for financial or in-kind remuneration”, clarifying that the consent and will of the person performing it is a key factor in differentiating it from situations of trafficking or sexual exploitation. This work can be carried out on public roads, brothels, nightclubs, through digital platforms or independently.
People who engage in sex work belong to a wide diversity: cisgender women, trans women, men, non-binary people, and migrants. They often face multiple forms of discrimination due to their gender, sexual orientation, migratory status, socioeconomic level, and occupation.
Global Data and Figures
According to reports from UNAIDS, in 2023 it was estimated that there were more than 42 million people worldwide engaged in sex work, although it is recognized that underreporting is significant due to the informal and clandestine nature of the sector in many countries. Of this total, 80% are women, and a considerable proportion work in contexts marked by poverty, gender inequality, violence, and lack of access to basic services.
Institutional violence remains a major concern: many sex workers are victims of assaults by law enforcement, extortion, unjustified detentions, or discrimination in health centers. The criminalization of sex work in numerous countries only aggravates this situation, as it prevents access to justice, decent medical care, and social protection.
There are different legal approaches to sex work in the world: total criminalization, partial criminalization, regulated legalization, or complete decriminalization. Decriminalization, promoted by organizations such as Amnesty International and the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women (GAATW), is seen as the most effective model to guarantee the rights of sex workers without encouraging trafficking or exploitation.
Countries like New Zealand have completely decriminalized sex work, which has allowed for substantial improvements in working conditions, access to healthcare, and reduction of violence. On the other hand, in Latin America, some countries like Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina partially recognize certain rights, although contexts of criminalization and marginalization persist.
Dominican Context
In the Dominican Republic, sex work is not explicitly penalized, but it is also not regulated or legally protected, which places sex workers in a gray area where informality and vulnerability prevail.
Law 137-03 on trafficking and human trafficking is the closest regulation on this matter, but it focuses on the repression of exploitation, without clearly distinguishing between trafficking and voluntary sex work.
The organization MODEMU (United Women's Movement), with over two decades of work in the country, has been a pioneer in the defense of the rights of sex workers. This group has repeatedly denounced police abuse, extortion, denial of health services, and discrimination in public and private spaces. In addition, they have carried out HIV prevention campaigns and other sexually transmitted infections, as well as empowerment workshops and human rights training.
According to data from MODEMU itself and UNAIDS, it is estimated that there are between 80,000 and 100,000 sex workers in the Dominican Republic, many of them single mothers and heads of households. The majority do not have access to comprehensive health services nor do they have protection mechanisms against violence, which makes them one of the most socially exposed sectors.
Importance of International Sex Worker Day
This commemoration is an opportunity to make visible and question the historical stigma surrounding this activity. Far from fostering its idealization, the objective is to recognize the right of every person to exercise a job voluntarily, with dignity and safety, without being criminalized or violated for it. Dignity cannot depend on the occupation that is exercised, but on the respect for fundamental human rights.
In a country like the Dominican Republic, where social and gender inequalities persist, it is urgent to open a broad and plural debate on sex work. This includes listening to the voices of those who practice it, guaranteeing them access to health services, protection against institutional violence, and the possibility of organizing collectively, like any other labor group.
