News / National
Sex workers in Zimbabwe just want respect
21 Sep 2025 at 08:30hrs | 55 Views
Sex workers in Epworth gathered recently to commemorate International Sex Worker Pride Day, using the occasion to highlight the social discrimination and stigma they continue to face in Zimbabwe.
The event, organised by Springs of Life Zimbabwe (SLZ) in partnership with The Rainbow Community, the National Aids Council of Zimbabwe, and the Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association (ZWALA), brought together dozens of men and women engaged in sex work. Participants marched, sang, and held discussions focused on health, human rights, and the challenges they encounter in their daily lives.
Many participants said discrimination from both the public and service providers remains a major barrier.
"We are workers like everyone else, but society treats us as if we are not human," said Grace, a sex worker who also showcased liquid soaps she makes and sells as part of her income. "At clinics, some nurses look down on us or refuse to attend to us properly. We just want respect and fair treatment."
A male sex worker, who identified himself only as Ivy, spoke about the additional stigma men face.
"It's very difficult to live as a male sex worker. Sometimes we face physical abuse because people call what we do an abomination. Some even say God is punishing the whole country because of us," he said. "Many of us avoid going out during the day because people don't want us around their families."
SLZ programmes coordinator, Precious Msindo, said the day was not only about visibility but about affirming human rights.
"Sex workers deserve recognition as members of society with rights and dignity. Stigma exposes them to violence and exclusion, and this must stop," she said.
Msindo also condemned the exploitation of minors.
"As Springs of Life Zimbabwe, we strongly condemn child exploitation. It is abuse. Anyone forcing children under 18 into sex work should be arrested, and law enforcement must act decisively," she said.
Other organisations expressed solidarity. Sekuru Shumba from Epworth Overspill Clinic, speaking as a Padare advocate, highlighted rising gender-based violence (GBV) against men.
"These days men have increasingly become victims of GBV. We are partnering with SLZ to support men in these cases," he said.
ZWALA's Hilda Mahumucha said their mandate includes representing women, including sex workers, in understanding their constitutional rights. Rodney Chironga of the Zimbabwe Rainbow Community added that male sex workers face additional challenges because "societal morals do not expect men to sell sex, which also hinders their access to health services."
Epworth, one of Harare's fastest-growing suburbs, has a large sex work community, with many drawn into the trade due to poverty and lack of formal employment opportunities.
Advocates at the event urged policymakers to address the root causes of vulnerability - unemployment, limited education, and poverty - while protecting the rights of sex workers.
International Sex Worker Pride Day, first launched in 2019, is marked globally every September to celebrate the resilience and achievements of sex workers and to demand an end to discrimination and criminalisation.
The event, organised by Springs of Life Zimbabwe (SLZ) in partnership with The Rainbow Community, the National Aids Council of Zimbabwe, and the Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association (ZWALA), brought together dozens of men and women engaged in sex work. Participants marched, sang, and held discussions focused on health, human rights, and the challenges they encounter in their daily lives.
Many participants said discrimination from both the public and service providers remains a major barrier.
"We are workers like everyone else, but society treats us as if we are not human," said Grace, a sex worker who also showcased liquid soaps she makes and sells as part of her income. "At clinics, some nurses look down on us or refuse to attend to us properly. We just want respect and fair treatment."
A male sex worker, who identified himself only as Ivy, spoke about the additional stigma men face.
"It's very difficult to live as a male sex worker. Sometimes we face physical abuse because people call what we do an abomination. Some even say God is punishing the whole country because of us," he said. "Many of us avoid going out during the day because people don't want us around their families."
SLZ programmes coordinator, Precious Msindo, said the day was not only about visibility but about affirming human rights.
"Sex workers deserve recognition as members of society with rights and dignity. Stigma exposes them to violence and exclusion, and this must stop," she said.
Msindo also condemned the exploitation of minors.
"As Springs of Life Zimbabwe, we strongly condemn child exploitation. It is abuse. Anyone forcing children under 18 into sex work should be arrested, and law enforcement must act decisively," she said.
Other organisations expressed solidarity. Sekuru Shumba from Epworth Overspill Clinic, speaking as a Padare advocate, highlighted rising gender-based violence (GBV) against men.
"These days men have increasingly become victims of GBV. We are partnering with SLZ to support men in these cases," he said.
ZWALA's Hilda Mahumucha said their mandate includes representing women, including sex workers, in understanding their constitutional rights. Rodney Chironga of the Zimbabwe Rainbow Community added that male sex workers face additional challenges because "societal morals do not expect men to sell sex, which also hinders their access to health services."
Epworth, one of Harare's fastest-growing suburbs, has a large sex work community, with many drawn into the trade due to poverty and lack of formal employment opportunities.
Advocates at the event urged policymakers to address the root causes of vulnerability - unemployment, limited education, and poverty - while protecting the rights of sex workers.
International Sex Worker Pride Day, first launched in 2019, is marked globally every September to celebrate the resilience and achievements of sex workers and to demand an end to discrimination and criminalisation.
Source - online
