By A Correspondent- Commercial sex workers continue to face multiple risks including violence, poor health, loss of dignity and are discriminated against in the communities they live.

They are also vulnerable to a variety of human rights abuses perpetrated mostly by their clients as well as other violations such as refusal of clients to adhere to the agreed transaction fee or outright refusal to pay for services provided.

Notwithstanding all the disadvantages attached to the profession, the lure of making fast cash or circumstances, force scores of women to become sex workers.

However, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa who is also the country’s health ambassador, is working flat out taking these women off the streets.

The aim is to rehabilitate and economically empower them.

Through her Angel of Hope Foundation, the First Lady is rolling out empowerment initiatives to ensure the commercial sex workers earn a decent living.

On Friday last week, Amai Mnangagwa had a meeting with representatives of commercial sex workers drawn from around Harare where she urged them to shun prostitution and also safeguard their health.

She said:

“I looked for you my children so that we sit down and discuss about life particularly your health and well-being. As the health ambassador I am more concerned about your health vanangu. We want to put our heads together and see how we can preserve health,” she said.

She asked the women if they get tested for HIV and AIDS more often, to which they responded saying they were scared to do so considering some men sometimes force them to engage in sexual activities without protection.

“Vana vangu, it is important to know where you stand health wise to avoid the spread of diseases.

“Cancers are also there hence you must be screened for cancer, HIV and other ailments so that if need be, you commence on treatment early to ensure a higher survival rate.

“Ndinokudai mese vanangu uye ndinokudai muri vapenyu,” she said.

Amai Mnangagwa asked the women if they were willing to shun prostitution and engage in projects so that they may leave their ways and start on a clean page.

They all clapped hands and ululated saying they were also tired of being sex workers and were willing to start a new challenge.

“Ndirikuda kuti tifambe pamwechete tichishanda pamwechete. Therefore, I want us to discuss project ideas that you would want. I don’t want you to go back in the streets ndinoda kuti hupenyu hwenyu hushanduke,” she said.

-statemedia