SEX WORKERS WANT TO SENSITISE SCHOOLS

PIGG’S PEAK – It is often considered that sex work is an illicit profession for adults but even children in primary schools are said to be involved in the trade. 

Sex work is illegal in the country, however, it is said to be highly practised, especially in areas such as Matsapha, Manzini, Pigg’s Peak and Buhleni. During a recent meeting organised by the Alliance of Mayor’s Initiative on Community Action on AIDS at The Local Level (AMICAALL), a health professional revealed that there were sex workers in schools, including primary schools. The meeting was held at Gobolondlo Hall and it involved several stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education and Training and the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS).

Confessed

The health official claimed that some of the pupils confessed to being sex workers as they frequently went to hospital to seek medical attention. To protect the alleged sex workers, their details or the schools they attend will not be mentioned. During a presentation at Gobolondlo Hall, some of the speakers said it was important to sensitise schools on the reality of sex workers. “We are not saying we should be advertising our services there,” said a confessed sex worker. She said it would be important for schools to be sensitised so that they could best assist those pupils who fall in that category. It was alleged that some of the pupils who were sex workers, struggled to get medical assistance, as well as counselling.

This is said to be because they were viewed as being involved in activities considered illegal in the country. Some of the sex workers also expressed concern that the country was using archaic laws to render the profession illegal. They were of the view that the law needed to be amended as it would help protect people genuinely benefitting from the profession. The sex workers alleged that some of the pupils were in child-headed homes and that they had to find a way of generating income while at the same time, pursuing their studies.

Education

“Free education does not cover personal needs,” said a sex worker. In 2017, this publication reported that there was a school in northern Hhohho where it was alleged that pupils were engaged in sex work.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: