WILLEMSTAD – The refusal to use condoms during sex is becoming a serious public health issue in Curaçao, according to representatives from Fundashon Famia Plania, a local organization focused on sexual health and education for sex workers.
In an interview with the media, Famia Plania representatives Jacqueline Martis and Tihaisa de Palm raised the alarm about the growing number of sex workers pressured by male clients to have unprotected sex—despite the known risks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
To address the problem, the foundation is launching a new awareness campaign that includes free contraceptives and vouchers for medical testing. The goal is to encourage more men to use condoms and help curb the spread of STIs across the island.
Financial Pressure Fuels Risky Behavior
Martis and De Palm shared troubling stories from the field. In some cases, sex workers—who often rely on the job for income—are offered significantly more money to engage in unprotected sex.
“For example,” they explained, “a sex worker might charge 75 guilders for 15 minutes with a condom. Some clients then offer 300 guilders to do it without one.”
This creates a difficult dilemma for women trying to earn a living while also protecting their health. “They are in this line of work to make money, and that financial pressure makes it harder to say no—even when it means putting themselves at serious risk,” said Martis.
Combating the Spread of STIs
Famia Plania’s campaign aims not only to educate, but also to empower sex workers and shift responsibility to male clients, whose actions are often the source of the issue. By providing access to free condoms and encouraging regular medical check-ups through test vouchers, the foundation hopes to foster safer sexual practices across the island.
The organization is also calling on the community and policymakers to pay closer attention to the vulnerabilities of sex workers and support initiatives that prioritize public health and personal safety.
As the campaign rolls out, Fundashon Famia Plania urges everyone—especially men—to understand the importance of condom use and respect the boundaries and well-being of sex workers.
