Belgium’s capital has banned prostitution in certain districts in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus. For sex-workers, however, the prohibition is a threat to their livelihoods.
Sex workers had to stop their activities on March 13, just a few days before a national lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“They were all left with nothing,” said Marie, who works at the organization Utsopi, which represents sex workers in Belgium.
Utsopi helped provide food and shelter during the three-month lockdown but poverty and hardship rose among the community.