ABSTRACT
In order to continue activities that would strengthen, not only the Association in Machala, but the organization of sex workers in the country, a first national encounter was planned. It was held June 28-29th 1993, as the first meeting of sex workers in the country. It grew out of an awareness within the Association and among its supporters, locally and internationally, and from a need to consolidate efforts in the face of increasing violence in the sex trade. Women of the Association went out of their homes, working spaces and cities during the weeks prior to the Encounter to invite other sex workers to the event. Posters and invitations were also distributed to other organizations, women's groups and local authorities. Quite incredibly, for the first time in the history of treatment of prostitution in the media, all the main television channels and newspapers covered the meeting with respect.
