Determined to provide for her children, Zimbabwean mother turns to sex work, faces exploitation and health risks

JOURNALIST’S NOTES

INTERVIEW SUBJECT

Wendy Garikai, 29, is a sex worker in Epworth, Zimbabwe, 18 kilometers from the capital, Harare. She was once employed at a small to medium enterprise but quit the job as the salary was insufficient. Advised by friends, she joined sex work nearly a decade ago. With only a basic education that does not qualify her for formal employment, Wendy relies on sex work to support her three children. For her last child, she was forced to wean him prematurely to return to work and provide for her family. Life has been challenging for her, marked by abuse, assault, arrest, and unwanted pregnancies. Her work is accompanied by stereotypes in her community, where she is viewed as a black sheep and condemned even by her own family.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In Zimbabwe, where 59.6 percent of women are unemployed, many turn to commercial sex work for survival. A recent report highlights a high concentration of sex workers in Harare and reveals that HIV prevalence among them is alarmingly high at 42.2 percent. Sex work is criminalized in Zimbabwe, leading to human rights violations and increased violence against sex workers. They also face stigma and discrimination from healthcare workers. Additionally, climate change-induced droughts are contributing to the increase in sex work among young girls.

EPWORTH, Zimbabwe — In the Harare Central Business District, I worked at a clothing boutique, where the salary barely covered my expenses. Eventually, I left that decent job, only to realize how much the small, steady income helped me. Facing limited education and few alternatives, I felt forced to turn to the streets and pubs to survive as a sex worker.

Going into sex work required a lot of courage and I began drinking beer to ease my nerves. Soon after, I spent nights in clubs and bars, dressing scantily or even going naked to attract clients. Initially, shyness and uncertainty held me back. In time, I gained confidence and became a seasoned sex worker.

Related: Woman in Zimbabwe turns to illegal abortion in the face of unwanted pregnancy.

Woman struggles to provide for her children

For nearly a decade, life circumstances forced me into sex work, a path I did not choose. I do not take pride in this job, and one never truly becomes accustomed to it. However, I must provide for my family, including my three beautiful children.

My firstborn is five years old. The other two are close in age, separated by only one year. Every day, I encounter different men, and not all of these encounters involve protection. As a result, my children do not know their biological fathers.

As a sex worker, I offer two primary services: short-term and overnight sessions. In a short-term session, I engage in one round of sexual intercourse with the client. During an overnight session, I stay at my place or the client’s, typically engaging in up to three rounds of activities. For safety reasons, especially since many clients are married men, I prefer to host clients at my place rather than visit theirs.

At the touchline, a gathering place for sex workers, we set uniform pricing. After securing a client, we negotiate any discounts, which become a personal choice separate from the touchline. Prices vary by location. In Epworth, I charge $3 for short-term engagements and $10 for the whole night.

Closer to the central business district, I charge $5 for short-term and $15 for the night. In the more upscale avenues area, I move up to $10 and $20 or more. On a good day, I see between five and 10 clients. However, on a bad day, the number can drop to as few as two, three, or even none.

The dark side of sex work: incidents of theft, betrayal, and violence

Often, I face painful experiences common among sex workers in my community. Navigating these challenging scenarios tests my resilience and resourcefulness. Unfortunately, some clients exploit these situations, leaving me vulnerable. On a regular business day, I arranged a deal with a client, and we had intercourse as agreed. To my surprise, he refused to pay after the session.

The client argued people should freely enjoy sex without any financial exchange. Feeling powerless, I watched him walk away without paying for my service. In another distressing situation, a client deceived me. I met him at a bar where he flaunted what seemed to be substantial wealth. Nonetheless, most of the money turned out to be counterfeit.

He bought me drinks until I became intoxicated, and we went home together. In my impaired state, I could hardly see or think clearly. After our first session, I fell asleep, unaware of his ulterior motives. While I slept, he rummaged through the room and stole not only the money I earned from previous sessions but also valuable items like my television. The loss hit me hard, as I felt betrayed.

In a separate incident, a client who initially seemed genuine, discreetly handed me money at the touchline. We went to his place and had sex. Suddenly, he demanded his money back, catching me off guard. I resisted, but he turned violent, bruising me and leaving me in pain. I screamed in terror, which alerted the neighbors. Thankfully, they came to my rescue.

Woman seeks better life amid sexual exploitation and health concerns

Frequent police raids shape our reality, often leading to arrests. We usually pay fines through corrupt means, although we occasionally receive legitimate tickets. On rare occasions, when they perform their duties lawfully, we go to the police stations to pay fines. The police often visit our operating bases, threatening to arrest us unless we pay bribes.

Regrettably, some officers exploit us by demanding sex as payment, a form of unlawful sexual exploitation. While I advocate for protected sex to maintain health, it proves challenging to be consistent while serving numerous clients daily. Some clients offer substantial sums like $50 or $100 for a night, but insist on unprotected sex. Due to financial necessity, I sometimes have no choice but to comply, leading to multiple sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

To combat the disease, my fellow sex workers and I visit a clinic dedicated to our community in Epworth for treatment. As younger women and girls enter the sex work industry, competition at the touchline increases. Clients frequently favor these newcomers.

Despite these challenges, we persist. Nevertheless, I now aspire to leave this work behind and become a housewife. I seek someone who will love and care for me. Every day, providing sex services to various men leaves me physically and emotionally drained. I carry the weight of each client’s unique needs, which is only intensified by social stigma.