In the shadows of Zimbabwe’s economic crisis and its crumbling healthcare system, a long-stigmatized profession represents a desperate lifeline for thousands of women. From the streets of the capital city Harare to the border town of Beitbridge, sex workers face not only the dangers of their profession but also the crushing weight of societal judgment and police brutality.
National estimates suggest that around 1 in 80 women between the ages of 15 and 49, or roughly 40,491 individuals, are involved in sex work.
Poverty said to force many into sex work
Sarah (not her real name), a 32-year-old mother of two, turned to sex work after losing her job. With no other means to support her family, she made the difficult decision to engage in prostitution, often working late nights and facing harassment from law enforcement.
“I had no choice,” Sarah says, her voice barely above a whisper. “I had to feed my children. But it’s a hard life, and I wish there were other options”.
As she wipes away tears, Sarah’s eyes betray a deep exhaustion. The weight of her double life is crushing her. By day, she’s a devoted mother, helping with homework and making dinner. But by night, she’s forced to surrender her dignity, just to put food on the table. The guilt and shame are suffocating, making her wonder if she’s lost herself forever.
“I feel like I’m living in the shadows,” she confesses, her voice cracking. “I just want to be free from this life, to find a way out that doesn’t involve sacrificing my soul.”
The country’s economic crisis, marked by high unemployment and poverty (21% and 38% respectively in 2023) is believed to have forced many women and girls into sex work as a means of survival. Additionally, societal norms that stigmatize and marginalize vulnerable women have contributed to the high rate of sex work, underscoring the need for sustainable livelihood opportunities and inclusive policies that empower and protect all individuals.
Anti-discrimination calls
Activists in Zimbabwe expose the harsh realities of sex work, advocating for a more inclusive and supportive environment to address the violence, stigma, and healthcare barriers. Paul Juru, a respected Church Elder in the Assemblies of God Church, said:
“There is a lot of pulpit violence against sex workers, a lot of brutal, verbal attacks against them, but we are working to reduce that. What you need is an attitude change and I’ve seen some pastors shedding tears when you bring the concrete realities of sex workers’ lives to them and show them these are also people who were made in the image of God, they are good people, and you cannot discriminate against them. It made us, as religious leaders, stop and think about what the background of sex work is”.
The Zimbabwe Sex Workers Alliance has launched a decriminalization strategy and joined forces with other sex worker-led organizations to build momentum for policy change and advocate for the rights of sex workers in Zimbabwe. The strategy quotes “Criminalizing sex work violates human rights by infringing on personal autonomy and privacy”, adding that it is incompatible with human rights principles, particularly for adult consensual sex.
State reps apparently take a stance
Against this backdrop, the Masvingo Magistrate Court acquitted seven women who had been charged with soliciting prostitution at a local bus terminal thus acknowledging their rights and dignity. This landmark ruling has been viewed as a significant step towards decriminalizing sex work and upholding the rights of marginalized communities in Zimbabwe.
Former Cabinet Minister, Nyasha Chikwinya, advocates for legalizing sex work in Zimbabwe, seeking a lasting solution to address the profession’s entrenched challenges.
“Our country has come a long way with this matter and what I believe is that if we fail to solve a problem the way we wish there should come a time when we accept what is on the ground. Sex work is reality. It is time a push for its legalization commenced. That way we will be able to protect workers in this category from the rampant abuses they are facing. Many here would also admit that these sex workers are playing a very pivotal role in our society by saving several marriages from collapse”, she said.
