Meet the statue dedicated to honoring prostitutes in Amsterdam
In the old church square or Oudekerksplein in the red De Vallen district of the Dutch capital (Amsterdam), a bronze statue of a distinguished woman in short clothes and high-heeled shoes, standing on a set of small steps, is the first and only monument in the world dedicated For women involved in prostitution, which bears the name Belle or (Bell).
This world's only bronze statue honoring sex workers around the world was erected in 2007 near the old church in the red district or "brothel district" in Amsterdam - Photo: Shubert Ciencia /Flickr
A statue of Belle stands erect in Amsterdam's "brothel district" in honor of female workers in the trade - Photo: helena.40proof/Flickr
The Netherlands is one of the few countries in the world that regulates and legalizes prostitution. Female workers are required to undergo regular health checks at government expense, and homeowners are required to obtain health certificates before they can hire girls or rent rooms.
De Valen Square is the largest and best area specialized in this area in the city of (Amsterdam), as it spreads in a network of alleys and contains nearly three hundred rooms rented by female workers in this field, who offer their sexual services from behind a window or a glass door, usually The so-called Kamers on these red-lit rooms, the most prevalent type in this area of (Amsterdam), which is a major tourist attraction.
The idea for the sculpture Belle was designed by Mariska Majoor, founder of the Information Center for Prostitution and a former sex worker. It was real work for her, and it brought her good financial gain, so she did not realize that other people did not view sex as something “normal” as she considered it.
Mariska stopped working in 1994, and then opened an information center to educate the public about sex work in order to reduce the stigma of sex workers. Today, the center organizes several tours of the Red Zone, and conducts lectures and presentations on prostitution and issues related to sex work that many tourists and students attend and participate in.
In 2007 Mariska commissioned artist Els Rijerse to create the Belle statue, with the aim of showing respect to the millions of women around the world who work in this field to secure their livelihood. The statue was unveiled, which included the phrase: “Respect sex workers all over the world.” , within the activities of the annual opening day of the red zone.
The red zone or the so-called “brothel district” in Amsterdam
The red zone or the so-called “brothel district” in Amsterdam
Belle Statue
A prominent bronze sculpture near the old church, created and placed by an unknown artist who has left many other bronze statues all over Amsterdam - Photo: Stacey B /Wikimedia
In 1993, a bronze sculpture of a hand holding a female's breast was placed by an unknown artist on the street where the Belle statue is located.
De Wallen Square in Amsterdam - Photo: Rungbachduong /Wikimedia
The red zone or the so-called “brothel district” in Amsterdam - Photo: Or Hiltch /Flickr
Would you change your mind about the profession of prostitution if you knew that the women who work in it do so because they ?desperately need money and to feed themselves
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