También somos mujeres

In the early 2010s, Honduras experienced a sharp increase in gang violence, making cities like San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa some of the most dangerous in the world. During this period, media coverage often portrayed women only as grieving wives, mothers, or daughters of victims. Absent from these narratives were the people facing the greatest risk: sex workers, many of whom were transgender and lived and worked under constant threat. In 2014, nine sex workers were officially reported murdered, though the true number is likely higher. For many transgender women, family rejection and workplace discrimination make sex work one of the few viable means of survival. Meanwhile, cisgender women face limited economic opportunity and restrictive reproductive laws.

“También somos mujeres” centers these women and their lived experiences. For over a decade, they have organized through collectives such as Colectivo Unidad Color Rosa, REDMUDE, and Colectivo Violeta/Grupo TransFénix. These collectives have secured legal recognition for name and gender changes and have worked to create safer conditions for sex work. Alongside this formal organizing, informal networks provide daily support by sharing warnings, resources, and advice that can mean the difference between safety and harm.

After working in the region for several years, I spent portions of 2023-24 photographing with these groups of women. Consent and patience are foundational to this project. Each woman determines whether and when she is photographed, and transparency guides every stage of the work. By maintaining close proximity, the project resists distance and abstraction, focusing instead on moments of care, laughter, determination, and pride within environments marked by hostility and risk.

As Honduras enters a shifting political moment following the recent election, the country is transitioning from Xiomara Castro’s leftist, female-led government to a more conservative, right-leaning administration with ties to U.S. political interests. Amid this shift and the fragility of recent gains, these women are facing uncertainty once more. Their stories remain urgent, both within Honduras and as part of a broader global struggle over gender, labor, and bodily autonomy. “También somos mujeres” challenges narrow perceptions of sex workers and transgender women, insisting on their humanity, dignity, and presence.

Constanze Han was selected from among the applicants for "Sisterhood in Practice" online exhibition. This Artist Feature is part of Der Greif's initiative to bring female-identifying and non-binary voices to the forefront.