News / National
6,221 prostitutes in Midlands between the age of 10 and 24
08 May 2017 at 18:35hrs | Views
There are more than 6221 sex workers between the age of 10 and 24 in Midlands Province, statistics have revealed.
Speaking at launch of the Campaign against child prostitution in Kwekwe District at Rio Tinto Zhombe High School, the child Member of Parliament (MP) for Zhombe Honourable Tariro Shava said boys of school going age in Kwekwe are stealing groceries from their parents to pay for the services rendered to them by sex workers.
"The makorokoza influence has contributed to rise in child prostitution whereby girls have sexual intercourse with the gold panners to get money.
"Statistics have it that in Midlands Province, Kwekwe district included, there are more than 6221 sex workers between the ages of 10 and 24.
"A recent survey conducted in Kwekwe urban recently amongst the sex workers reveals a very disturbing fact that boys of school going age are stealing groceries from their parents to pay for sex," she said.
The child MP added that illegal gold panning activity has also contributed to the rise in number of child prostitutes as young girls get themselves involved with the gold panners to get money.
The Provincial Social Welfare officer G.C. Madzima, who was also present at the launch, stated that the Department of social Welfare Kwekwe is working hand in glove with the government and non-governmental organisations through the District Protection Committee to put a stop to child prostitution.
"The department of Social Welfare Kwekwe has partnered with both the government and non-governmental organisations through the District Child Protection Committee to program around this social problem.
"Our theme, Fighting Child Prostitution should echo all over Zhombe, Silobela and beyond and the message is to be spread through children's festivals because it is perceived that children learn through fun," said Madzima.
Leonard Zhakata, the famous Zora musician who graced the event with his music, highlighted that it is important for his fellow musicians especially Zim dancehall artists to compose their songs condemning child prostitution.
"Zim dancehall is a genre which is favoured by youths so I urge Zim dancehall artists to compose their songs castigating child prostitution because that way the message may spread easily to the children," he said.
The campaign against child prostitution in Kwekwe district was launched in Silobela and Zhombe by the Department of Social Welfare Kwekwe in partnership with Plan International, community leaders and other stakeholders.
Speaking at launch of the Campaign against child prostitution in Kwekwe District at Rio Tinto Zhombe High School, the child Member of Parliament (MP) for Zhombe Honourable Tariro Shava said boys of school going age in Kwekwe are stealing groceries from their parents to pay for the services rendered to them by sex workers.
"The makorokoza influence has contributed to rise in child prostitution whereby girls have sexual intercourse with the gold panners to get money.
"Statistics have it that in Midlands Province, Kwekwe district included, there are more than 6221 sex workers between the ages of 10 and 24.
"A recent survey conducted in Kwekwe urban recently amongst the sex workers reveals a very disturbing fact that boys of school going age are stealing groceries from their parents to pay for sex," she said.
The child MP added that illegal gold panning activity has also contributed to the rise in number of child prostitutes as young girls get themselves involved with the gold panners to get money.
"The department of Social Welfare Kwekwe has partnered with both the government and non-governmental organisations through the District Child Protection Committee to program around this social problem.
"Our theme, Fighting Child Prostitution should echo all over Zhombe, Silobela and beyond and the message is to be spread through children's festivals because it is perceived that children learn through fun," said Madzima.
Leonard Zhakata, the famous Zora musician who graced the event with his music, highlighted that it is important for his fellow musicians especially Zim dancehall artists to compose their songs condemning child prostitution.
"Zim dancehall is a genre which is favoured by youths so I urge Zim dancehall artists to compose their songs castigating child prostitution because that way the message may spread easily to the children," he said.
The campaign against child prostitution in Kwekwe district was launched in Silobela and Zhombe by the Department of Social Welfare Kwekwe in partnership with Plan International, community leaders and other stakeholders.
Source - hmetro
