Mexico opens shelter for aging sex workers

http://www.pennlive.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/international-5/111134940913280.xml&storylist=pahomepage

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Marilu has been working the streets of Mexico's capital for 45 years, and she's still at it — though at age 70 she'll settle for food instead of money. Women like her are the inspiration behind a new shelter for aging prostitutes in a dilapidated downtown mansion in Mexico City.

Carmen Munoz, a sex worker in her 50s who organizes prostitutes trying to break free of their pimps, had the idea after seeing older women living in boxes on the streets of the Merced, one of Mexico City's main red-light zones.

Munoz rallied support from women's groups and went to Mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to ask for a house. He responded by offering much more: a 1,500-square-meter mansion in the heart of the Merced, where most of the women work.

The women's groups are responsible for renovating the building, which lacks working electricity and water and needs a new roof. They have rallied some prominent supporters, including a well-known Mexican singer, Eugenia Leon, who recently gave a benefit concert.

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But I didn't hear about this there.

;-)

gotta do what ya gotta do to survive.

something like that house would provoke some interesting reactions in america.

I was under the impression hookers didn't live very long.

None of those circumstances are very appetizing, but given patriarchal cultures like Mexico they aren't difficult to imagine.

What kind of fringe benefits do they offer?

lay-away plan.

my husb. who only listens to hate radio, mentioned this the other day in an ENtirely different way. i sent him this link.


maybe he'll relate to fantine in les mis.

I'm surprised the mayor gave them a mansion, but I think that's awesome. I hadn't heard this story before - thanks for posting!