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ABOUT 40 percent of sex workers in Zimbabwe are HIV-positive and have been subjected to some forms of stigma and discrimination which affects their health seeking behaviour.
According to Avert — an HIV and Aids data organisation — there are around 44 500 female sex workers in Zimbabwe.
Sex workers are part of key populations defined as groups who, due to specific higher-risk behaviour, are at increased risk of contracting or spreading HIV.
Key populations include young women, men who have sex with men, prisoners and people who inject drugs.
“There are around 44 500 female sex workers in Zimbabwe, around 40 percent of whom are living with HIV. This is concerning in an environment where sex work is illegal, condoms are being confiscated and gender inequality makes condom negotiation difficult. Despite this, some progress is being made; just under half, 44 percent of all sex workers are being reached with HIV prevention programmes,” says Avert.
“About 96 percent of sex workers reported using a condom with their most recent client. Around 93 percent of HIV-positive sex workers were aware of their status of whom 72 percent are on treatment.”
Avert added that sex workers’ vulnerability to HIV is exacerbated by police intimidation, harassment and arrest.
“This creates fear that stops sex workers from accessing health services. The Centre for Sexual Health, HIV and Aids Research (CeSHHAR) found that 20 percent of female sex workers in Zimbabwe had experienced violence from the police in one way or the other.
“Sex workers, and the organisations representing them, have minimal involvement in the Zimbabwean response to HIV. This marginalises them and prevents them from accessing services. Better inclusion of sex worker-led groups in HIV prevention initiatives would help improve the health of sex workers and the population as a whole.” Chronicle
Kombi-Truck Accident Kills Two Toll Gate Cashiers
TWO Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara) toll collectors based at the Gweru North tollgate along the Gweru-Kwekwe highway, died on the spot when a commuter omnibus they were travelling in side-swiped with a haulage truck near Regina Mundi High School in Gweru recently.
The two collectors were part of six Zinara employees coming from their shift at the tollgate.
Zinara public relations manager Mr Tendai Mugabe confirmed the death of the two employees but said he was still to get more details.
Gweru City Council public relations officer Ms Vimbai Chingwaramusee said Gweru fire brigade team attended the accident at about midnight on Friday last week.
“Our fire brigade team rescued passengers and both drivers following a side swipe involving a haulage truck and a commuter omnibus near Regina Mundi High School around midnight. Two people who are said to be Zinara employees died on the spot,” she said.
The employees had knocked off from work and were being ferried home aboard a commuter omnibus. Chronicle
