Sex workers new means of survival amid Covid-19
Sex workers new means of survival amid Covid-19
COMMERCIAL se_x workers in Bulawayo have devised news ways of survival by taking call-in clients during the lockdown period.
Since the country was locked down to contain the coronavirus, most se_x workers have moved from the streets and are operating from their homes. In separate interviews se_x workers said although they were not making much their new method of survival was paying dividends as they were able to pay rent and buy food.
Sex workers new means of survival amid Covid-19
Nothando Moyo, a mother of two children aged five and seven, who has been in the se_x trade for six years said they had since adopted other means to lure their clients to make ends meet under the difficult times
"A client phones to alert me that he is coming to my place then I offer him se_xual service. At times my client would come to my lodgings and pick me up to his private rented place in town where we would have se_x and after that he would take me back to my place," she said.
Another se_x worker who only identified herself as Nomsa (25) said she had also been operating from home.
"Life has never been the same for me since the lockdown started because from the streets I used to make more than R2 000 because I charge most of my clients in forex but now I make a little bit. I make in the region of R500 to R800. I thank my God because I can manage to settle my bills, do my hair and buy food," said Moyo.
Sex workers new means of survival amid Covid-19
Asked on how they protect themselves against the Coronavirus which as of Thursday the country had recorded 34 positive cases, five recoveries and four deaths, they said they had to face it head-on so as to survive.
Nomsa said: "There is no way we can protect ourselves because a guy would touch me and would demand a kiss before we engage in se_x. When we indulge there is body contact. Although we are afraid of death we don't want to face grinding poverty because this is our only way to survive.
It is such a heartbreaking story. I understand that women or men have the right to choose their profession. There are a lot of women and men who are voluntarily choosing this as a profession, there is nothing wrong with that. They make their own choice.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, my heart goes out to all those people who are forced to make such choices forced down by poverty or other social-economic situations.
Dying of hunger or risking their lives that could lead to an infection which would again result in their death.
It is such a shame on us as collective human beings that we haven't been provide the men and women in our world a save haven.
If nothing else, I hope we return as better humans and do what's good for the well-being of each other.