Sex workers in Zimbabwe have complained of the high prices of commodities in the country.
According to the sex workers, they now resort to using bread packets as contraception, due to the high price of condoms and other basic essentials.
It was also gathered that these sex workers now accept buckets of maize and cups of beans as payment from their cash-strapped male clients.
Speaking to Manica Post, a 21-year-old sex worker, who claimed to have started the sex work from the age of 16 revealed that bread packaging is now being used as a substitute for condoms when sex workers face shortages.
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According to a medical practitioner, Dr Tendai Zuze, the bread packaging used by these sex workers pose a high risk of passing STDs, as the packets might not be strong enough to sustain the pressure of friction during sex.
Speaking to a local publication at Dema growth point in Seke rural, sex workers appealed to the government and other organisations for low-interest loans to start income-generating projects to fend for their starving families.
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One of the sex workers, who only identified herself as Alice said, she has three children, one one of which is doing Form 4. The child needs ZIMSEC (Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council) registration fees while the other kids are in Grade 7 and Grade One.
“Gone are the days when we used to charge US$5 for the whole night. These days even one dollar is accepted, so that you are able to buy vegetables and tomatoes and cook something for your starving children.”
“I now even accept a bucket of maize or cups of dried beans as payment for sex services. At least I am assured that my kids will have porridge.”