Tag: sex work

14-Year-Olds Selling Sex In Gold Mining Fields: The Ugly Side Of Elnino-Induced Drought In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Kadoma The sun is about to set in Battlefields, a community situated approximately 35 kilometers outside Kadoma City. Behind the police station, a few yards from the railway line, in a makeshift mining settlement, young girls in their early teens appear from all directions, instantly bringing the mining community to life. Young men in tattered and soiled clothes emerge from the mining pits, and one can’t help but notice how popular these young men are with the ladies and young girls. In no time, the young…

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Criminalisation has hurt sex workers and perpetuated the AIDS pandemic

Michael Gwarisa

Responding to the decision of South Africa’s Cabinet to propose a Bill that will repeal criminalisation of sex work, UNAIDS Country Director Eva Kiwango said: “The evidence is clear: Criminalisation has been proven to have increased the risks faced by South Africa’s sex workers, hurt their health and safety, and obstructed South Africa’s HIV response. UNAIDS welcomes South Africa’s Cabinet’s proposal to repeal criminalisation and to protect sex workers against abuse and exploitation. Criminalisation has impeded South African sex workers’ access to vital health-care services, including effective HIV prevention, treatment,…

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Harare Residents Concerned Over Rise In Child Sex Work and Drug Abuse

Michael Gwarisa

MOST Harare suburbs are experiencing a surge in cases of drug and substance and child sex work which many residents believe is being driven by the prolonged time the kids have spent outside learning institutions due to lockdown restrictions. By Michael Gwarisa Following the prolonged closure of schools due to recurring lockdown restrictions since 2020, most children have found solace in harmful practices such as sexual experimentation and drug and substance abuse. The massive job losses due to retrenchments and closure of some businesses during the lockdown have also impacted…

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Zim A Level Girl Ventures Into Sex Work To Raise Tuition and University Funds

Michael Gwarisa

FOR 18-year-old Mercy (not real name), life took a twist soon after completing her Ordinary Level studies in 2018 in Chivhu. Having bagged 10 ‘O’ level subjects including Mathematics, English, and science subjects, Mercy enrolled for Advanced level at the same school she did her ‘O’ levels. By Michael Gwarisa After government announced closure of schools in March following confirmation of COVID-19 in the country, Mercy moved to Harare to live with her unemployed sister with the aim of raising fees for her final term as well as enroll for…

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