Sex Workers in Mexico City Face 90% Income Drop, Forcing Many Onto Streets Amidst Pandemic
Mexico City, March 2, 2026 – The income of sex workers in Mexico City has plummeted by an alarming 90%, forcing many from established venues and online platforms onto the streets in a desperate search for sustenance, according to Elvira Madrid Romero, president of the Brigada Callejera de Apoyo a la Mujer Elisa Martínez AC.
Madrid Romero revealed in an interview with El Sol de México that she has observed a significant increase in the number of individuals, including women and transgender people, working on the streets who previously offered their services in bars, nightclubs, or through online platforms. This shift is attributed to the widespread closure of businesses and the ongoing pandemic.
Increased Street Presence and Deteriorating Conditions
“I now see more young men and women, who previously were only on internet pages, or in clubs and apartments they had, out on the streets. They do this because it’s harder to find clients in closed places; it’s easier on the street,” stated a sex worker identified as Aabye Vargas. Another, Laura, recounted, “I was having a very hard time, mainly because the hotels closed, so I decided to open an account where intimate photos are sold to make some money. I even had to borrow money from clients.”
The Brigada Callejera de Apoyo a la Mujer Elisa Martínez AC highlighted that the number of sex workers on public streets has surged from 7,700 to 15,200, encompassing both women and transgender individuals. This drastic increase underscores the dire economic situation faced by this vulnerable population.
Lack of Government Support and Escalating Violence
Despite the growing crisis, sex workers report a severe lack of meaningful government assistance. Madrid Romero criticized the government, stating, “This president is not interested in women, much less sex workers. We only received a thousand pesos for one month, when they had said it would be for six months, equivalent to unemployment insurance.”
The economic downturn has not only impacted their income but also intensified the violence and extortion they face. “The situation is affecting both physical and mental health. The economy fell 90% for street sex workers, but violence increased, as did extortion from police and organized crime. Police just wait for them to have a client and tell them to give them 100 pesos; it’s the law of the jungle,” Madrid Romero explained.
Health Crisis and Mental Strain
The health of sex workers has deteriorated significantly, not only due to COVID-19 but also from malnutrition, lack of work, and the mental toll of their circumstances. “The health situation of sex workers has deteriorated, not only because of the Covid issue, but because they don’t eat well, they don’t have work, their physical health has deteriorated and also their mental health. They are dying from things because their gallbladders rupture because they are not attended to in a public hospital and they don’t have money to pay for a private one,” Madrid said.
The Brigada Callejera has seen a 300% increase in requests for consultations and support over the past year, with literacy classes being the most sought-after. They are also working to establish a psychological support module to address the growing mental health needs.
Source: El Sol de México
