A year ago, a study on multiple discrimination was presented in Irun, confirming the high degree of discrimination suffered by women engaged in prostitution. Therefore, the City of Irun expressly requested the Arrats association, which has been working with women who practice prostitution for more than twenty years, a study related to this matter.

According to the report presented on Tuesday, 91 per cent of the people who engage in prostitution are zis women, 7 per cent transgender women and 2 per cent men. They are mainly between 31 and 45 years old and most women are born in Central and South America. More than half have dependent children and/or family members, usually at the place of birth.

49% of respondents want to keep their jobs and 48% change their jobs. Those interested in continuing prostitution have asked for their legalization and decent working conditions, and those who do not want to continue, to facilitate access to other jobs and economic benefits. In fact, all respondents agree that they have difficulty accessing rights (individual health card, access to community resources, access to papers…), which increases their stigma and exclusion.

And now what?

Councilwoman for Equality of Irun, Miren Echeveste, explained to ARGIA that “the first step will be to revise the protocol for the social census, to adapt it as far as possible to the reality of these women, since the census opens the doors to other benefits, aids, programs, etc.”. Echeveste makes it clear that “the aim is to reduce the degree of vulnerability of prostitutes, to remove them from exclusion so that they have freedom to decide about their lives”. As already mentioned, 49% want to continue prostitution, “but 48% say that if they can leave it, and to do so they have to give it the opportunity, they need alternatives, and from the administration we have to help in this way, that is the challenge we have from the city council”.

The report contains other proposals such as dyptics to combat male violence, in which prostitutes have revealed difficulties with clients with male attitudes, the possibility of testing sexually transmitted infections in the city and the training of professionals to reduce stigma and improve their care.