Ambience Reporter
Calls to decriminalize sex work in Zimbabwe have intensified, as government, parliamentarians, civil society and communities push for policies that protect marginalised groups and strengthen access to healthcare.
This emerged during a one-day needs assessment dialogue held in Magwegwe, Bulawayo on Thursday, where the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care in partnership with Springs of Life Zimbabwe engaged communities to examine barriers to inclusive health services.
Zimbabwe has already surpassed the UNAIDS 95-95-95 HIV targets and entered the epidemic control phase, with new infections and AIDS-related deaths on the decline.
Health experts attribute this milestone to the country’s people-centred, health-first approach, which ensures that no one is left behind.
Key populations under the national HIV response include sex workers, truck drivers, drug users and prisoners.
While exchanging sex for money is n
ot itself criminalised, acts such as public solicitation and living off the earnings of sex work are illegal under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
These restrictions have forced many sex workers into hiding, limiting their access to essential health services and exposing them to stigma and abuse.
Acting chairperson of the Parliamentary committee Nomathemba Ndlovu said decriminalisation would strengthen health security.
“Sex work has been in existence since time immemorial. It is now time to face and deal with reality rather than pretending we do not know it,” she said.
“It is very important that decriminalisation is implemented so that people can operate legally, in a dignified and well-managed way, which respects our cultural norms while also protecting the rights of others. Once this is achieved, people will seek hospital care without fear, condoms will be accessible, and diseases will go down.”
Midlands proportional representation MP cde Perseverance Zhou praised the government’s health-first approach.
“Eighty to ninety percent of the time, authorities have turned a blind eye to arrests and instead prioritised health,” she said.
“Sex work is a fact; it is not something that can be washed away. What we should emphasise is the 95-95-95 targets and economic development. We need to economically empower these women while we fight for success in health delivery.”
Gwanda North legislator Desire Nkala encouraged sex workers to maintain positive community relations.
“We cannot end it,” he said.
“But we need to make sure they are recognised as human beings and can exercise their rights without infringing on others’.”
Matebeleland South Senator Hon Meliwe Phuthi echoed the sentiment, highlighting the human impact of inclusive healthcare policies.
“By putting people’s health first and ensuring everyone can access services without fear, we are protecting lives, reducing new infections, and moving closer to a Zimbabwe where no one is left behind,” she said.
Precious Msindo, programmes coordinator for Springs of Life Zimbabwe, lauded the government for integrating sex workers into the healthcare system.
“As we deliberate on the decriminalisation of sex work, we thank government for recognising sex workers in health service delivery,” she said.
“Sex workers are now accessing health services without discrimination, and despite past condom shortages, supplies are now readily available for free at various institutions.”
Former committee chair Dr Ruth Labode noted that punitive laws are inconsistent with Zimbabwe’s health progress.
“Sex workers are part of our key populations, and criminalisation only fuels stigma,” she said.
“Even the ILO recognises sex work as work, and Zimbabwe is a signatory. To sustain our gains, we must align laws with health priorities.”
