Sundaymail Editor
Malven Mugadzikwa recently in MUDZI
The gold-rich border area of Makaha in Mudzi district has seen a sharp increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), prompting the National AIDS Council (NAC) to introduce income-generating projects for sex workers to mitigate the situation.
Speaking during a media tour organised by NAC, Mudzi District AIDS Coordinator Ms Trader Muzamhindo said the district was grappling with rising STI cases, with recent data indicating an increase compared to previous years.
“In terms of the HIV disease burden, Mudzi district has a prevalence rate of 10,8% and an incidence rate of 0,11%,” she stated.
To combat the surge in STIs and HIV infections, NAC initiated various economic empowerment programmes targeting sex workers.
Financial instability, Ms Muzamhindo said, had been a significant factor contributing to risky sexual behaviour, as many sex workers resort to unprotected sex for better pay.
“If sex workers have a source of income and they are economically empowered, it will enhance their ability to negotiate for safer sex and make informed sexual reproductive health (SRH) choices,” she said.
“This initiative was a response to complaints from sex workers who highlighted that the business was no longer lucrative, leading them to engage in unprotected sex just to earn a living.”
To support these women, NAC collaborated with the Ministry of Women Affairs and trained them in Internal Savings and Lending (ISAL), commonly known as Mukando.
Through this initiative, sex workers pooled resources and established sustainable businesses.
“They started with poultry projects, which later expanded into a cattle project.
“They didn’t stop there, they diversified into catering, event decoration, and even formed a choir and traditional dance group,” said Ms Muzamhindo.
One of the beneficiaries of the key populations programme, Georgina Chokuposhiwa, who is also a peer educator, emphasised the prevalence of sex work in Makaha due to the influx of gold panners.
She highlighted the importance of NAC’s intervention in equipping sex workers with knowledge on STI prevention and HIV management.
“NAC identified us at our hotspots and trained us to educate others about HIV, STIs, and sexual reproductive health,” Chokuposhiwa said.
“We teach our fellow sex workers about HIV testing and the importance of knowing one’s status.
“If you are negative, you should use PrEP to maintain that status and if found positive, adherence to medication is crucial.”
Chokuposhiwa acknowledged that the financial struggles of aging sex workers often force them into desperate measures, including lowering prices for their services or even stealing from clients.
This realisation pushed them to explore alternative means of survival.
“As we age, we have fewer clients, and with increased competition, we end up reducing our rates.
“In some cases, some even resort to stealing from clients. That’s why we decided to start income-generating projects,” she said.
Under NAC and the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development’s guidance, the sex workers formed groups with community members to contribute funds for groceries.
They further expanded into poultry farming and later started a cattle project.
Today, their ventures include catering, decoration, a choir, a traditional dance group and even a rabbit farming project.
Online Reporter