Abstract
Networks of Brazilian sex workers that first came together to fight police persecution are now turning their attention to preventing HIV. Government support has helped them succeed. But reveals Bill Hinchberger US funders of HIV-prevention schemes are not nearly so keen. As a child runaway Carmen Lucia Paz worked as a housekeeper and nanny before drifting into prostitution in order to earn enough to survive. Despite dropping out of education early on and managing to scrape together a decent living with her sex work Paz by age 21 decided she wanted to resume her studies. Eventually she won a college scholarship and earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology. This remarkable achievement afforded Paz the opportunity to help others from the life she had left behind by taking a job at the Center for the Study of Prostitution (NEP). NEP is an association of sex workers in Paz’s home city of Porto Alegre capital of Brazil’s southernmost state Rio Grande do Sul. “I’ve found my calling in the movement” says Paz NEP’s executive secretary. (excerpt)
Published Version
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