Abstract

BAILON VASQUEZ, Fabiola. Watchwomen of prostitution in Oaxaca City at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th. Sig. his [online]. 2019, vol.21, n.41, pp.96-129.  Epub Aug 03, 2020. ISSN 1665-4420.

In this article I analyze the creation and feminization of the position of watchmen of prostitution in Oaxaca City at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th. Using administrative documents, I identify the historical causes of the involvement of women in surveillance and security activities, the reasons that led authorities to accept women in a traditionally male job, as well as the immediate changes and continuity produced. This analysis shows how, by means of this specialized job, a small group of women entered the public space and started to work as watchwomen from early on.

Keywords : local authority; sex trade; police; gender; history.