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Reducing the poverty-related
HIV vulnerability of female sex workers and transgender women in San Luis Potosí, México
R. Torres Flores1, J. Jasso Aguilar2
1Fortaleciendo la Diversidad AC, Proyectos, San Luis Potosi, Mexico, 2Fortaleciendo la Diversidad AC, Direccion, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
Issues: Violations of
the right to education and refusal by the state to provide official
identification which recognizes the chosen identity of transgender people
contributes to 95% of this population depending on sex work as their sole
economic option.
Description: A
community-based situation analysis with transgender people identified abilities,
needs and interest in learning a profession or trade. We worked with the
Ministry of Social Development to implement income generating projects for
female sex workers and transgender people. The participants reported increased
income through this opportunity for self-employment; graduates are offering
their services privately as well as in beauty salons, and several have banded
together with the goal of opening their own salon. Participants reported a
reduction in unprotected sex, which was previously accepted for economic
motives.
Lessons learned: Increased income and job opportunities
for sex workers and transgender women not only improves quality of life through
better nutrition and access to housing, but also increases self-esteem and
reduces risk behaviour for acquiring HIV or other STIs.
Next steps: Initiatives like this that
directly reduce the HIV and STI vulnerability of key populations must be
expanded. Developing a support strategy for those who wish to open their own
salon and/or establishing a work-study program in existing job-training centers
would be ideal.
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