Automatically translated from Basque, translation may contain errors. More information here. Elhuyarren itzultzaile automatikoaren logoa

"Being a slut is for me a sinonymous freedom."

  • Paula Ezkerra (Buenos Aires, 1971) is the first sex worker who has made the leap into politics over the years. The fight against the stigma of prostitutes, through the association Outraged Prostitutes (Outraged Prostitutes), is a symbol of the fight against the stigma of prostitutes, which feminism and the okupa movement brought to Catalonia sixteen years ago.
“Zalantzarik gabe ezjakintasun handia dago prostituzioaren inguruan. Ni harro nago nire ogibideaz, eta emakume askok ezagutu ez duten askatasunaz egiten dut lan”. (Arg.: Jordi Borrás)
“Zalantzarik gabe ezjakintasun handia dago prostituzioaren inguruan. Ni harro nago nire ogibideaz, eta emakume askok ezagutu ez duten askatasunaz egiten dut lan”. (Arg.: Jordi Borrás)
Zarata mediatikoz beteriko garai nahasiotan, merkatu logiketatik urrun eta irakurleengandik gertu dagoen kazetaritza beharrezkoa dela uste baduzu, ARGIA bultzatzera animatu nahi zaitugu. Geroz eta gehiago gara, jarrai dezagun txikitik eragiten.

Fifteen years ago you came from Argentina to Catalonia. What brought you?

Contrary to all myths, I lived magnificently in Buenos Aires. I came to Barcelona before the economic crisis of 2000, in 1999, so I also had no economic problems: I was young and I made a lot of money. I have always been immersed in the feminist movement, and by the influence of a Catalan friend who had in Argentina, I was thirsty to know in Barcelona an okupa movement with a special force. I arrived here on his recommendation.

Was feminism strong enough in Argentina at that time?

Well, no. It was increasing then. In fact, there are many mobilizations there that are more related to class problems, but there is no strong awareness that promotes reflection on feminism.

You are the symbol of the movement to combat discrimination against sex workers. Does the word “whore” not have a sense of self-contempt?

No way! Being a slut is for me synonymous with freedom. I also fought stigmas at first. I mean, I felt guilty for being a prostitute, I was devoured by prejudices. I was walking down the street and it seemed to me that all eyes were headed towards me. I needed many years to live my profession freely.

Prostitution has a dark side: the mafia. Where's the limit?

If we analyze the photograph of the reality of prostitutes there is everything and, undoubtedly, the limit is that the woman does not decide to be a sex worker. Slavery is a crime in all trades and it is unacceptable that it is still in the twenty-first century. However, if society believes that slavery is nothing more than prostitution, it means that the body of women and the morality that sanctifies the vagina are present in our society.

For the abolitionist branch of feminism it is a contradiction to be a prostitute and feminist, “for selling men your body”.

I agree with all due respect to these statements. Moreover, I also had an abolitionist view. It was clear that my body didn't have to be for men, and it was a hard process. That's why I felt guilty. After all, we live in a society that disregards women. After many years, however, I have realized that this conception also punishes prostitutes. It has not been easy, because the pressure is long-lasting; the abolitionist vision is the one that feeds the stigma that we want to eliminate.

Do you think there is too much ignorance about this issue?

No doubt. I am proud of my profession and I work with the freedom that many women have not known. I have an unwritten agreement with my clients: I know them, I clarify my rules and everything else comes next. Women don't sell our body, those who need it are men and we have all the power. I've always thought that the day the world knows about equality, the debate about prostitution will disappear. Understanding this process has helped me move away from the abolitionist point of view.

Have you ever had problems with violence?

In general, I have had no problems with men. But yes, unfortunately I have had it. And you'll be surprised, but he's been with cops! I have worked in many countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Italy and Germany, and in the few cases where I have been involved in situations of violence there have been police among them.

The City of Barcelona has put in place a series of measures to respond to your demands. For example, you now have at your disposal spaces with minimal conditions.

For us it is a great step forward. When the institutions allow us to fulfil fundamental rights, the need to act in secret and the mafias goes further. That is why we demand regulation, because mafias gain strength when institutions do not fight for our rights.

In addition to the fight on the street, you have also participated in the institutions, as a Cup councilor. When did you decide to get into politics?

I have always believed in institutional policy, because I believe that from within the system things can change. In Argentina, for example, I participated as an activist when I was young in various initiatives to denounce the military dictatorship. By sharing the political project of the Cup, I accepted it. There is a lot to do for the future of women, and I want to be a part of the future.

You left your position as a councillor, but you still have work in common with the Barcelona City Hall. What do you do?

In the association Putas and alliances we are preparing a report for the feminism section of the City of Barcelona. In addition, I have contact with the current Cup councilor, and I work as an advisor to my area. What happens is that the responsibility of the councillor was too much for me, I feel more comfortable working on this structure. However, I will always be available for new opportunities.

Estigmetatik at!

“Buenos Aires hiriko klase ertaineko familia batean hazi eta hezi nintzen, Belgrano auzoan. Feminista eta prostituta naiz eta sexu langileen bazterketaren kontrako borrokan murgilduta nago oroimena dudanetik. Txikitatik argi izan nuen ez nuela izan nahi nire ama bezalako emakume otzana: ez nuen nahi gizon batek ni mantentzea. Horregatik borrokatu nuen Argentinako Maiatza Plazako manifestazioetan, zoragarria izan zen. Anarkista samarra izan naiz. Tira, gaur egun ez hainbeste. Gaztetatik izan naiz puta, berezkoa dudalako sentsualitatea. Horrekin jokatzen dut eta nire lanak ere garatu nau zentzu horretan”.


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