Cabinet Minister ‘Nyasha Chikwinya’ Begs Government To Legalise Thigh Vending (Chihure)
In order to address the issues that s#x workers confront, Nyasha Chikwinya, a former cabinet minister, has advocated for the legalisation of s#x work in Zimbabwe.
As s#x work is currently illegal in Zimbabwe, those who engage in it are at risk of human rights abuses and have no recourse.
According to studies, s#x workers are more likely to have HIV because they frequently deal with abuse from the authorities, customers, and partners.
Estimates estimate the prevalence of HIV among Zimbabwe’s s#x workers at 42.2%. Apart from these difficulties, stigma and a lack of privacy from healthcare professionals are also faced by s#x workers.
Speaking during an Economic Justice Women Project (EJWP) stakeholder engagement meeting on Wednesday, Chikwinya emphasised the importance of policymakers addressing the issues faced by s#x workers urgently. She said:
“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.
“s#x work is reality. It is time for a push for its legalisation to commence. 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 s#x workers are playing a very pivotal role in our society by saving several marriages from collapse.
“Even if we reach that stage there will still be no problem at all because these s#x workers are involved in a trade of selling a product which can still be taken back home in its original state.”
Beatrice Nyamupinga, a legislator from Goromonzi West, supported the call for the legalisation of s#x work, highlighting that it is the only way to address the problems associated with the secrecy surrounding the industry.
Nyamupinga emphasised the need for serious debate on legalising the trade, as the reluctance to recognize this sector causes numerous problems. She mentioned that in her constituency, there are s#x workers who are actively contributing to the development of the area.
Margaret Mutsamvi, the executive director of the Economic Justice Women Project (EJWP), used the opportunity to urge lawmakers to address the challenges faced by women in the informal sector.
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