By Michael Gwarisa
In 2024, Theresa*, a 23-year-old from Chitungwiza, turned to sex work not by choice, but out of necessity. Zimbabwe’s faltering economy had left few opportunities for young women like her. What began as a means to survive quickly became a dangerous gamble with her health and safety.
“At times, I risk and have unprotected sex,” she admits. “You either agree to it or you lose the client. The market is flooded now, and it’s survival of the fittest.”
When she entered the industry, Theresa did not anticipate the cutthroat competition or the extent to which the trade, once concentrated in Harare’s Avenues area, had spread to nearly every corner of the capital.
An investigation by HealthTimes shows that several intersections across Harare have increasingly become pick-up spots for sex workers trying to establish new markets outside high-competition zones such as the Avenues. In the Central Business District, the entire stretch of Nelson Mandela Avenue has morphed into Zimbabwe’s version of a red-light district, largely due to the growing number of liquor outlets and popular hangouts such as Archipelago, at the corner of First Street and Nelson Mandela, and Big Apple, at the corner of Mbuya Nehanda and Nelson Mandela, where sex workers line the roads as early as 6:00 PM.
Unlike in the past, when sex workers would wait until nightfall to begin trading, today some begin as early as 6:00 AM in areas like the Avenues, particularly around the corner of 3rd Street and Fifth Avenue.
Panashe*, a 19-year-old sex worker from Epworth who operates at the Big Apple spot, said: “Times have changed. If you wait until 8:00 PM to get a client, you might go home empty-handed. The risk is high, especially for mbinga dzinoda raw (clients who want unprotected sex). Haungasiye mari ichienda. Yes, I may have a condom, but if a mbinga offers US$50 for a round of unprotected sex, you just take the risk. You simply oblige.”
The visibility and expansion of the sex work industry have public health experts warning of a looming crisis. With global HIV prevention efforts already facing setbacks, the rising number of sex workers operating in high-risk environments could reverse years of progress in the fight against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections if adequate support is not provided.
Precious Msindo, Programs Director for Springs of Life, a sex worker-led organisation, expressed concern over the health and wellbeing of sex workers, particularly new entrants entering at a time when several NGOs that previously supported them have either shut down or removed sex worker programs from their priorities.
From our recent outreach and field data in Harare, we have observed a noticeable increase in new entrants into sex work,” said Msindo.
“The main drivers behind this surge include worsening economic hardships, high unemployment rates, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which left many without stable income sources. Some women, including young mothers and those previously involved in informal trading, have turned to sex work as a means of survival.”
Despite government assurances of adequate condom stocks, Msindo said members continue to experience intermittent shortages, particularly in high-demand areas, due to logistical challenges, stock-outs at public health facilities, and unavailability of preferred condom types.
“These gaps pose serious risks, including increased vulnerability to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, higher rates of unplanned pregnancies, and reduced negotiating power for safe sex with clients,” she said.
“We are engaging with government agencies, health partners, and donors to ensure a consistent supply of condoms, lubricants, and other prevention tools, while also advocating for broader economic empowerment initiatives for sex workers. Safeguarding the health of sex workers is not only a human rights obligation but also key to the wider public health response.”
Hazel Zemura, Director at All Women Advocacy (AWA), an organisation representing sex workers in Zimbabwe, said condom shortages were particularly acute between December 2024 and April 2025.
“This was worsened by the disruption of HIV services after the Trump administration’s aid cuts, which led to the closure of many donor-funded clinics and drop-in centres serving key populations. Contracts for key community health advocates, including peer educators responsible for condom distribution, were terminated. Considering that over 48% of sex workers in Zimbabwe are living with HIV (UNAIDS Zimbabwe, December 2024), this was a very stressful moment for the community,” said Zemura.
She added that AWA worked closely with key stakeholders, including NAC, MoHCC, ZAN, and CCM, and were informed that procurement delays from Natpharm to provinces, districts, and health facilities contributed to the shortages.
“As an organisation, we try to source and distribute condoms to sex workers and the wider community. We have resumed supplying nightclubs, bars, hair salons, and other hotspots. The biggest problem remains the unavailability of PrEP as a commodity. Of our over 6,000 members on PrEP, 90% are on the pill, while others are on the dapivirine ring or CAB LA injection. The abrupt discontinuation of some products caused high anxiety, especially among those who rely on the ring or injection. Our April 2025 survey showed 63% were reluctant to switch to the pill due to stigma and pill burden.”
Dr. Bernard Madzima, Chief Executive Officer of the National AIDS Council (NAC), said the expansion of the sex work industry is a public health concern.
“It is known that sex workers have higher prevalence rates of HIV and other STIs compared to the general population. As sex work increases, so does the risk of transmission,” he said. “However, if safe practices are supported—through provision of condoms, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and access to STI treatment—risks can be significantly reduced.”
Dr. Madzima noted that Harare Province, like others in Zimbabwe, maintains a robust data system that captures STI cases at clinics. “This ensures that programmes respond effectively. NAC coordinates with partners such as the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council, MoHCC, PEPFAR, and social marketing initiatives in the private sector to ensure adequate condom supply across public and private channels.”
He emphasized that while PEPFAR continues to support key populations, the absence of previous donor funding for condom programmes has created new challenges in ensuring availability, particularly in the wake of Trump-era aid cuts.
HealthTimes’ investigation highlights how economic vulnerability, coupled with disruptions in HIV prevention services, is increasing the exposure of sex workers to HIV and other STIs. Experts warn that without adequate access to prevention tools, the health of key populations and the wider public remains at risk.
This character * denotes that the names of individuals have been changed to protect their identities.
