Voices of change: Diana Quispe Pari
Diana Quispe Pari is secretary of the Lazos sin Fronteras working group on HIV/AIDS advocacy with key populations in Arequipa. She is the Arequipa sex workers’ representative, a facilitator with many years’ experience of working in the field raising awareness of HIV.
“I feel I am contributing to resolving the problems, helping my group; I am not here for personal benefit but rather to benefit the people who are behind us, this is really satisfying.
“I am very happy to be participating in spaces such as the Arequipa Regional Health Department (DIRESA) through the working group, and to hold festivals with other civil society organisations. I am proud to be able to contribute to all this work.
“I would like to grow more as an activist, to be able to visit other places so that I can learn and replicate this knowledge in my region, an exchange of experiences.
“In the not too distant future, I see Lazos sin Fronteras as an association recognised by key populations at national level; it will be called Lazos sin Fronteras and it will be linked to Arequipa and HIV work, that’s what I want. And to gain space at national level and maybe even abroad. It may take a long time, but that’s what I’d like.”
