Davida – Prostitution, Civil Rights, and Health

The project, supported by the Brazil Fund, aims to publish and distribute the tabloid Kiss from the street, as well as create content for the electronic version (www.beijodarua.com.br), contributing to the increase of communication among prostitutes’ associations in 18 states, and between them and the rest of society, addressing issues like human rights, health, legislation, culture, public policies, organized movement and others of interest to the group.

The tabloid will be guided by the associations, seeking to identify relevant news and events in cities and states where the organizations are established, and distributed by them to colleagues and other sectors of society. Each association will receive, by regular mail, copies for distribution, according to its scope.

Davida seeks to create opportunities to strengthen the citizenship of prostitutes, through the organization of the group, the defense and promotion of rights, mobilization and social monitoring.

In the field of health, the organization undertakes actions to prevent STDs and HIV among prostitutes in Rio de Janeiro and the Metropolitan Region. In the field of culture, the show Seresteiras Women (1) – by “prostitutes who sing and charm” – the carnival street parade Pleasures Oflife [Prazeres Davida] and the brand Daspu encourage community integration and reduction of the stigma and discrimination they suffer. The Davida Center for Research [Núcleo de Pesquisa da Davida] conducts studies, such as on violations of human rights of prostitutes, aiming at supporting public policies for the profession.

(1) Seresteiras are women who serenade.