SEX workers in Bulawayo want some of the derogatory names associated with their profession to be changed for more respectful ones.
The sex workers made the demands before a Health parliamentary portfolio committee consultative meeting held in Bulawayo recently.
One of the sex workers, Faith Ncube, said they want their profession to be recognised so that they can operate without any harassment from law enforcement agents.
“We want respect.Derogatory names such as sex workers or prostitutes should be changed, we want to be called pleasure managers, not sex workers,” she said.
“We are offering our services to various men of different classes and we have a list of our clients, whereby some are well-known members of the society, but we cannot disclose their names.”
Ncube stated that they are contributing to the national development of the country through paying fines.
She also demanded that the government should decriminalise their profession, indicating that it is similar to any other profession in the country.
“Our profession does not require any qualifications. One needs to be smart in order to market herself at any given time,”she said.
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She mentioned that for some of them, it has been difficult to quit the profession due to quick money realised from the business.
“Some of us want to get married and settle down, but at times, it becomes impossible due to pressure in trying to make ends meet.
“I can get married, but chances are high that when the going gets tough, I can go back to the ‘touch line’ while still in a marriage.”
Another sex worker, who identified herself as Barbra, said decriminalisation of the profession would help them to get access to health services.
“We hear there are Young Women 4ED, Mine Workers 4ED. We also want to be recognised and be treated humanely,” Barbra said.
Sexual Rights Centre consultant Saul Utete told Southern Eye that sex workers are arguing that if their money is accepted at all institutions through payment of taxes, fines and school fees for their children, then their profession cannot be labelled dirty.
He said the sex workers want a standard way of operation of their profession, adding that they are also clamouring for benefits as realised by any other profession from other sectors.
Midlands proportional representation MP Perseverance Zhou, who was one of the parliamentary portfolio committee members, said the sex workers were worried about government’s policy concerning their profession.
“We told them that the law is very clear in indicating that prostitution is illegal in the country. Even our culture does not allow it,” she said.
“If a woman is caught engaging in prostitution, she is called by names, but if the same happens to a man, no namesare given and the society become silent about it.”
Added Zhou: “Facts on the ground are that both sexes take part in this business, be it young women or old ones, including young men and old men.”
She stated that they the sex workers them to form a database so that they can come out with a constitution that will help them qualify for financial assistance.
