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Sex workers in PrEp dilemma
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Sex workers operating near the Forbes Border Post in Mutare are grappling with a dire crisis following the withdrawal of USAID-funded organizations that previously supplied them with critical HIV prevention medication and support services.
The unavailability of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) - a highly effective daily medication regimen that can reduce the risk of HIV infection by up to 99% - has left these vulnerable workers exposed to greater health risks, threatening their safety and livelihoods.
PrEP, a combination of two antiretroviral drugs (tenofovir and emtricitabine), is intended for HIV-negative individuals at high risk of infection, including sex workers, people with multiple sexual partners, injection drug users, and partners of HIV-positive individuals.
Sex workers in Mutare, who serve truck drivers and other clients, say the lack of PrEP is making their work increasingly precarious amid growing health concerns.
During a recent visit to their Forbes Border hideout, Senators from the Thematic Committee on HIV and AIDS heard firsthand accounts of the challenges faced by the sex workers. The committee is conducting nationwide consultations to assess access to HIV/AIDS and sexual reproductive health services among key populations.
Rophina, a sex worker, pleaded urgently for the reinstatement of PrEP at health centers, highlighting the medication's importance in protecting their health.
"We are facing clients who refuse to use protection, and some truck drivers abandon us without payment. Business is slow and competition fierce, especially with young new entrants. Without PrEP, we are exposed to infections and dangers we cannot control," she said.
Rophina also warned about a growing problem of drug abuse fueled by foreign truck drivers, which is leading some women to default on their medication and increase their risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections.
"Some young women are being lured into drug use to cope with stress. These drugs are mostly introduced by truckers and worsen our situation, causing girls to stop taking their medication," she explained.
Another worker, known as Margarine, appealed for government support in the form of scholarships for tertiary and vocational education. She expressed hope that such opportunities would help sex workers transition into more stable and dignified jobs.
"Our earnings are small, and we struggle to survive. Many of us have good school results and want to further our education, but we need financial support to make that happen," Margarine said. "Vocational skills will empower us to find alternatives outside sex work."
Senator Angeline Tongogara, chairperson of the thematic committee, said the visits aim to identify barriers to accessing HIV prevention and reproductive health services for sex workers and to propose measures to reduce HIV infections among this vulnerable group.
"We will provide recommendations to improve service access and address challenges faced by sex workers," Senator Tongogara stated.
National AIDS Council's Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Amen Mpofu, acknowledged the challenges posed by funding shifts. He explained that PrEP is currently limited to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, following changes in US government funding priorities.
"We have enough antiretroviral drugs stocked, with support pledged through 2025 and potentially into 2026. However, after that, sustainability depends on government plans or alternative funding," Mpofu said.
He noted that programmes like PrEP and male circumcision are most affected by the reduced funding, but the NAC plans to procure PrEP to fill existing gaps.
Mpofu emphasized the role of Zimbabwe's AIDS Levy—a domestic funding mechanism—in ensuring continuity of HIV/AIDS programs.
"We must protect and target the AIDS Levy funds to cover these critical gaps," he said.
As sex workers in Mutare face heightened health risks, calls for urgent intervention to restore HIV prevention services and provide alternatives for vulnerable women are growing louder, underscoring the need for a comprehensive, sustainable response to the crisis.
The unavailability of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) - a highly effective daily medication regimen that can reduce the risk of HIV infection by up to 99% - has left these vulnerable workers exposed to greater health risks, threatening their safety and livelihoods.
PrEP, a combination of two antiretroviral drugs (tenofovir and emtricitabine), is intended for HIV-negative individuals at high risk of infection, including sex workers, people with multiple sexual partners, injection drug users, and partners of HIV-positive individuals.
Sex workers in Mutare, who serve truck drivers and other clients, say the lack of PrEP is making their work increasingly precarious amid growing health concerns.
During a recent visit to their Forbes Border hideout, Senators from the Thematic Committee on HIV and AIDS heard firsthand accounts of the challenges faced by the sex workers. The committee is conducting nationwide consultations to assess access to HIV/AIDS and sexual reproductive health services among key populations.
Rophina, a sex worker, pleaded urgently for the reinstatement of PrEP at health centers, highlighting the medication's importance in protecting their health.
"We are facing clients who refuse to use protection, and some truck drivers abandon us without payment. Business is slow and competition fierce, especially with young new entrants. Without PrEP, we are exposed to infections and dangers we cannot control," she said.
Rophina also warned about a growing problem of drug abuse fueled by foreign truck drivers, which is leading some women to default on their medication and increase their risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections.
"Some young women are being lured into drug use to cope with stress. These drugs are mostly introduced by truckers and worsen our situation, causing girls to stop taking their medication," she explained.
Another worker, known as Margarine, appealed for government support in the form of scholarships for tertiary and vocational education. She expressed hope that such opportunities would help sex workers transition into more stable and dignified jobs.
"Our earnings are small, and we struggle to survive. Many of us have good school results and want to further our education, but we need financial support to make that happen," Margarine said. "Vocational skills will empower us to find alternatives outside sex work."
Senator Angeline Tongogara, chairperson of the thematic committee, said the visits aim to identify barriers to accessing HIV prevention and reproductive health services for sex workers and to propose measures to reduce HIV infections among this vulnerable group.
"We will provide recommendations to improve service access and address challenges faced by sex workers," Senator Tongogara stated.
National AIDS Council's Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Amen Mpofu, acknowledged the challenges posed by funding shifts. He explained that PrEP is currently limited to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, following changes in US government funding priorities.
"We have enough antiretroviral drugs stocked, with support pledged through 2025 and potentially into 2026. However, after that, sustainability depends on government plans or alternative funding," Mpofu said.
He noted that programmes like PrEP and male circumcision are most affected by the reduced funding, but the NAC plans to procure PrEP to fill existing gaps.
Mpofu emphasized the role of Zimbabwe's AIDS Levy—a domestic funding mechanism—in ensuring continuity of HIV/AIDS programs.
"We must protect and target the AIDS Levy funds to cover these critical gaps," he said.
As sex workers in Mutare face heightened health risks, calls for urgent intervention to restore HIV prevention services and provide alternatives for vulnerable women are growing louder, underscoring the need for a comprehensive, sustainable response to the crisis.
Source - zimpapers
