By Nyasha Dube
Zvishavane based Womandla Foundation is engaging various stakeholders in Zvishavane, to map a way forward on how Key Populations (KPs) can be reached with public health information so as to minimize HIV transmissions in the mining town.
The organization has been holding conversations with sex workers to hear their health needs and provide them with adequate information on where they can access clinical care and HIV prevention products.
The stakeholders’ engagement was graced by representatives from various government ministries, health care workers and the clergy.
The engagement sought to demystify societal beliefs that may result in stigmatization of groups like sex workers, and promote health care avoidance.
In an interview at the sidelines of stakeholders’ engagement meeting, Womandla Foundation projects coordinator Esinathi Zimanyiwa said the initiatives to reach out to sex workers have been going well so far as they are starting to open up about the challenges they face.
“At first it was a bit difficult to reach out to sex workers but they have started opening up to us and speaking out on the health challenges they are facing in their trade. Of course there are some who are deep in rural areas who may be hard to reach but we have been making deliberate efforts to reach out to them through our Pasi Pemuti talks which provide them with a safe space,” Zimanyiwa said.
She added that they targeted sex workers in their programming because they noticed how this key population was being left out in health programming, yet they are a critical population in ending HIV transmissions in Zimbabwe.
Sex workers are listed as one of the KPs in Zimbabwe in the Zimbabwe National Aids Strategic Plan (2021-2025), and according to the document they carry a disproportionate burden of HIV, with a 42.2% prevalence compared to 11.8% amongst the general population.
Such engagements are critical in mining communities such as Zvishavane, as mining hubs have been known to be hotspots for HIV transmission. Vulnerable groups such as artisanal miners also increase risks of transmission.
Human rights activist Mojalifa Mokoele Ndlovu says Zimbabwe could potentially curb HIV transmissions by 2030, as per the national target, citing the progress that has been made so far in adopting HIV prevention innovations.
“Whilst a lot of setbacks were caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of HIV programming, as a country I believe we have made quite a lot of progress in terms of catching up with HIV prevention innovations being introduced at global level. We are one of the leading countries in the SADC region when it comes to HIV epidemic control,” he said.
He added that if HIV prevention and treatment programs continue to be rolled out at the current pace, Zimbabwe could reach a point where it finally closes the tap and records no new transmissions.
“We always emphasize on testing to treat or prevent. Meaning either one is on antiretroviral therapy or they are on PrEP,” he said.