Health and Environment<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EPWORTH \u2013 Dozens of sex workers gathered in Epworth recently to mark International Sex Worker Pride Day, using the occasion to highlight the discrimination, stigma, and abuse they face in their daily lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The event, organized by the community-based group Springs of Life Zimbabwe in partnership with organizations including The Rainbow Community, National Aids Council of Zimbabwe, and Zimbabwe Women in Law, featured a march, songs, and discussions focused on raising awareness of the challenges sex workers encounter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Participants voiced frustrations over discrimination from the public and service providers, which they say limits their access to healthcare, justice, and economic opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are workers like everyone else, but society treats us as if we are not human. When we go to clinics, sometimes nurses look down on us or refuse to attend to us properly. We just want respect and fair treatment,\u201d said one participant, Grace, who also showcased liquid soap she produces to demonstrate that sex workers have diverse talents and income sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A male sex worker who identified as Ivy highlighted the heightened stigma and physical abuse faced by men in the trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very difficult to live as a male sex worker in society. Sometimes we even face physical abuse because people say what we do is an abomination which is causing all environmental disasters,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey say God is punishing the whole country because of us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Organizers emphasized that the day was about visibility and human rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis day gives sex workers a chance to stand proudly and demand recognition as members of society with rights and dignity. Stigma exposes sex workers to violence and exclusion, and this must stop,\u201d said Precious Msindo, Programs Coordinator for Springs of Life Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Msindo also strongly condemned child exploitation, stating,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs Springs of Life Zimbabwe we condemn child exploitation \u2013 it is child abuse. We call for all those coercing young people under 18 to be arrested. The law enforcement must suppress any form of child exploitation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The event drew support from allied organizations and advocates, including Sekuru Shumba from Epworth Overspill Clinic, who noted, \u201cWe are attending to support men, especially in cases of Gender-Based Violence, which rates are very high here in Epworth. These days men have become the victims.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hilda Mahumucha from Zimbabwe Women in Law added,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an honor to partner with Springs of Life Zimbabwe since our duty is to represent women, including sex workers, in helping them understand their constitutional rights.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rodney Chironga of the Zimbabwe Rainbow Community pointed out the added layer of discrimination facing male sex workers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSocial morals don\u2019t expect men to sell sex. This also hinders their access to healthcare services because even at public healthcare services they are not accepted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Advocates at the event called on policymakers to address the root causes of vulnerability, including unemployment and limited access to education, while also protecting the rights of those engaged in sex work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
International Sex Worker Pride Day, first observed in 2019, is marked globally every September to celebrate the resilience of sex workers and demand an end to discrimination and criminalization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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