NGOs empower KU sex workers

Kasungu commercial sex workers have hailed a project by Theatre for a Change (Tfac) and Good Health Youth Organisation (GHYO) for making a positive impact in their lives.

The Tithandizane Project has helped change lives of sex workers at Chinkhoma, Santhe, Nkhamenya, Linga and Chatoloma trading centres and at Kasungu town. Some of the sex workers say they have abandoned brothels.

Tfac project officer Jemeema Zawanda told Malawi News Agency (Mana) that sex workers, who are mostly treated as outcasts, lose out on opportunities in their communities.

“Sex workers face a lot of problems in their trade as they are discriminated against, face different abuses and they also lack vital information on issues of sexual and reproductive health.

“This project has managed to change the status of the sex workers by empowering them in many ways. They have been taught about their rights and have been empowered in different ways,” said Zawanda.

GHYO project officer Mercy Mtalika said most of the sex workers who participated in the project have become self-reliant.

“Most of the sex workers now rely on their own businesses rather than sex work. They also engage in village banks that are very successful,” she said.

Paralegal Advisory Services (PASI) Kasungu district paralegal officer Kevin Mtantho said the project has also helped reduce crimes committed by sex workers.

The project has been running for four years. n