Mudzi – Women engaged in commercial sex work in the notorious gold mining area of Makaha in Mudzi, Mashonaland East province, are reporting a significant decline in earnings, prompting them to seek alternative income-generating activities to support their families.
The National AIDS Council (NAC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, is currently implementing a programme aimed at educating these women on sexual health and empowering them through various livelihood projects.
In an interview, NAC District AIDS Coordinator for Mudzi, Trader Muzamhindo, stated that they are working tirelessly to promote sustainable livelihoods that will help reduce the spread of HIV.
“We introduced this programme after hearing from the sex workers that the business is no longer profitable these days,” Muzamhindo said.
Muzamhindo explained that the increasing number of women involved in sex work has led to heightened competition, pushing some to engage in unprotected sex in desperation for income.
“Because they have no other options, they say that sometimes they end up engaging in unprotected sex because the ‘mhene’ (rich clients) tell them what to do since they need money,” she said. “This puts them at risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.”
“Seeing this, as NAC we started a programme to train them in ‘mukando’ (savings clubs), which has also enabled them to start various income-generating projects,” Muzamhindo added.
Muzamhindo highlighted that the ‘mukando’ initiative is helping the women to start businesses such as poultry farming.
Through poultry farming, their income has increased, enabling them to purchase cattle, rabbits, and guinea fowl for breeding.
“They also have their own singing and dancing group that entertains the public and provides decorations at various events,” Muzamhindo said.
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