Prostitution and feminism(s). Disputes for recognition at the National Women’s Encounter (Argentina, 1986-2017)

Abstract

“Prostitution” is one of the major concerns of feminism, and a polarizing one. In Argentina this debate has had as one of its first stages the National Women’s Encounter (ENM in the original), held annually since 1986. This self-organized and horizontal Encounter brings together thousands of women, some of whom identify in different degrees with feminism–this varies from year to year. During three days they discuss issues they consider relevant to the women’s movement. In this paper I study the changes and continuities in the debates on prostitution in the NWE, paying attention to how they relate to changes in national public concerns and in the claims of feminism. I analyze perspectives on commercial sex and the models of womanhood constructed as legitimate regarding rights. Sources include workshop lists and the conclusions books of the 32nd ENM, as well as the debates that have circulated in the social networks following the request from the Argentine Association of Prostitute Women to reincorporate the workshop “Women and sex work” on 31st ENM (2016); and ethnographic records of four workshops on “prostitution” in which I participated.