YONECO and proprietors of various drinking joints in Chiradzulu have agreed to prevent children from engaging in sex work in bars around the district in a bid to safeguard the minors from exploitation and potential exposure to Sexually Transmitted Infections.
An assessment which YONECO previously conducted in the drinking establishments in the district indicated that there is a higher percentage of minors who are engaged in sex work. As such, efforts towards addressing the issue ensued in collaboration with the districtโs Victim Support Unit (VSU) and the Social Welfare Office.
Following a series of discussions with proprietors of the targeted drinking establishments, the parties agreed to implement measures for preventing minors from frequenting the joints.
Heartrendingly, some bar owners were reluctant to sanction the ban on minors from sex work activities in their establishments indicating that young girls attract more clients than older sex workers. However, the bar owners understood the need to have children protected from violence and exploitation.
Since the agreement was made in April this year, a total of 10 monitoring activities have been conducted in the hotspots, and no underage girls were found in the drinking joints.
The engagements were conducted under a project titled Addressing Unmet Needs in #HIV Testing Services for Men and Key Populations for #HIV/AIDS Services through Effective Delivery Models in Malawi project.
YONECO and Angaza are implementing the project with financial and technical support from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
