Online Reporter
Robin Muchetu Health and Gender Editor
MISS Similo Ndlovu (22) was born HIV-positive and has been on antiretroviral (ARV) therapy since the age of 11. Orphaned at a young age, she was drawn into sex work in Bubi District, Matabeleland North Province — a reality she now shares with her aunt, who introduced her to the trade.
Her story reflects that of many adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in the gold-rich district who have turned to sex work as a means of survival. In doing so, however, they face heightened vulnerability to HIV and other health risks.
Bubi, like many mining areas in Zimbabwe, has become a hotspot for commercial sex work, fuelling the spread of HIV. Matabeleland North has the second-highest HIV prevalence in the country at 14,4 percent, behind Matabeleland South (17,3 percent), and well above the national average of 11,7 percent.
“I live with my umamomncane, and we’ve been staying together since I was 16 in our family home. I saw that she was making money from sex work, able to buy what she wanted.
“That motivated me to do the same. My mother died in 2009 when I was very young, and I had to live with my stepmother. Life was tough,” said Miss Ndlovu.
Another young woman, Ms Ngwenya, shared a similar path into sex work.
“I lived with my father and stepmother but felt neglected. I started sex work at 19 to buy basic things like soap and toiletries,” she said.
Asked about the risks, she responded: “Igcikwane ngiyalesaba (I am afraid of the virus). I get tested every six months and use protection with my clients. I have a young child to look after.”
Miss Ndlovu, who is HIV-positive, also said she insists on condom use.
“I started ARVs when I was 11. Even though I am positive, I use protection with my clients,” she said.
Both women expressed a willingness to leave sex work if given alternative income-generating opportunities.
Recognising the link between sex work and rising HIV prevalence in Bubi and other mining districts, the National Aids Council (NAC) has intensified its Key Populations Programme, targeting sex workers and other vulnerable groups.
“Sex work is rampant in Bubi’s mining and business centres. Female sex workers are at higher risk of HIV infection due to risky sexual behaviour, gender-based violence, intimate partner violence, stigma and discrimination,” said Mr Mthokozisi Moyo, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for NAC in Matabeleland North.
To curb new infections, NAC is rolling out several community-based interventions. These include the Behaviour Change Community Motivator (BCCM) programme, which targets men — who often lag behind in HIV prevention efforts — and the Sista2Sista programme, which empowers girls aged 15 to 24 through life skills training and access to HIV and reproductive health services.
“The aim of these programmes is to reduce the incidence of HIV in the province.
“We want to empower young girls with skills so that they become independent. We give them a lot of HIV information,” said Mr Moyo.
NAC also provides mobile HIV testing and counselling services at various sites across the district, specifically targeting sex workers.
Those who test HIV-positive are referred to nearby health facilities for ART initiation, while those who test negative are offered preventive services such as PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and education on the consistent and correct use of condoms to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
In addition to HIV prevention, the mobile clinics offer screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), family planning services, and health education on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
Victims of abuse are guided on how and where to report incidents and receive post-violence care.
Despite their marginalised status, many sex workers in Bubi are gradually finding hope through increased access to health services and community support. — @NyembeziMu
