In front of the church on the historic Oudekerkplein stands the statue of Belle, a bronze sculpture depicting the proud stance of a sex worker in her doorway. This remarkable work of art was created in 2007 by Dutch artist Els Rijerse, at the request of Mariska Majoor, founder of the Prostitution Information Centre (PIC). The sculpture aims to promote respect for sex workers and bears the inscription: ‘Respect sex workers all over the world’.
The profound message embodied by this statue goes beyond the time in which it was created. It reminds us that prostitution has been part of human history for centuries, almost 6,000 years before the birth of Christ. The activity is documented in history books, and this artwork honours those who practise this profession, wherever they are in the world.
Mariska Majoor, the mind behind this artwork, brought the words of the unheard and forgotten to life. She emphasised that hundreds of thousands of women and men earn their living through prostitution, despite the challenges they face around the world. In many countries, the lives of sex workers are characterised by danger. They are often rejected by their families and are victims of violence and abuse by authorities. They lack the respect they deserve.
In the Netherlands, where this artwork has found a permanent home, an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 people work in the legal prostitution sector. Belle stands as a symbol of strength and pride for all these individuals, and she reminds us that respect for sex workers is a universal value that must be cherished, wherever in the world they do their work.
