Community Center for Sex Workers in Mexico

Summary

Casa Xochiquetzal will serve as a community center for independent sex workers and as housing for elderly sex workers who want to explore alternate forms of income and lead dignified lives.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Elderly sex workers live in appalling conditions on the streets of Mexico City. Independent sex workers have the need to come together to hold seminars, organize reflection groups, and take primary- to high school-classes. Casa Xochiquetzal, a community center in one of the poorest and most marginalized neighborhoods in Mexico City, will give older and independent sex workers the space and opportunity to gain dignity and learn about their human rights.

How will this project solve this problem?

Casa Xochiquetzal will offer housing for 63 elderly sex workers and develop income-generating projects, such as handicrafts and cooking. It will offer workshops and classes for sex workers.

Potential Long Term Impact

Casa Xochiquetzal gives sex workers a place to empower themselves through alternate forms of income-generating activities and education.

Project Message

We, sex workers, want a room of our own. A space that allows us to meet, to find each other and to find ourselves, to learn about our human rights.
- Leader, “Trabajadoras Independientes Emma Goldman” group

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources