‘Sex workers face worst abuses’

Chikondi, 28, does not believe that stigma, discrimination and abuse towards sex workers should still be an issue.

Despite many of having spoken against them, she observed that the vices remain the order of the day.

Chikondi, who operates from Lunzu in Blantyre, said society has not yet embraced sex work.

She added that sex workers are not included in community activities or even social amenities aimed at uplifting the lives of the underprivileged.

“We face numerous challenges in this field, some men use their masculine power to demand free services from us, at the hospital they laugh at us or even refuse to assist us.

And in communities, some landlords refuse to rent out their houses to us,” laments Chikondi, who was once chased out of her rented house for being a sex worker.

Realising this challenge, the Centre for Conflict Management and Women Development Affairs (Cecowda), through a project called called ‘Strengthening TB and HIV Legal Literacy among female sex workers, is working with sex workers to promote their rights, reduce their vulnerability and empower them to fight diseases such as HIV and TB.

Cecowda executive director Caroline Mvalo expressed dismay at continued abuse and victimisation of sex-workers despite several interventions to have their human rights respected.

She said: “Sex workers are vulnerable; they continue to experience several challenges such as abuse and discrimination. However, they are a key population and need to be engaged.

“Oftentimes they are judged and some public officers refuse to offer them services. It is against this background that we want them to stand up and begin to demand their rights and access health care services.”

Project officer Taliona Waison said they are working with over 30 sex workers, but plan to reach out to more.

Chikondi hailed the organisation for having the welfare of sex workers at heart, urging her colleagues to utilise such chances to express their grievances and seek help.

According to the Malawi Sex Workers Alliance, there are more than 20 000 sex workers in Malawi, most of who remain hidden and marginalised because of social stigma that is associated with sex work.

The one year project which ends in September 2023 is funded by the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief to the tune of K25 million.