Intersectional vulnerabilities and differential impacts of COVID-19 responses on young people who sell sex in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The varying impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on different populations has brought into focus the pre-existing inequalities which shape vulnerabilities amongst marginalised and key populations. More nuanced approaches which understand intersectional vulnerabilities and differential impacts of the pandemic on gender and sexuality diversity within these groups are required. We investigated the economic, social and health impacts of COVID-19 on young people of diverse genders and sexualities who sell sex (16-24 years) in Zimbabwe. We found that all groups had heightened vulnerability to economic and social hardship during the first two COVID waves in Zimbabwe. However, vulnerability was unequally distributed by geography and socio-economic position, as well as by gender and age, both within and between groups of participants. With limited funding resources for the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the push for universal health coverage, nuanced approaches which include analysis of multidimensional vulnerabilities between and within groups is required to develop the most cost effective and impactful policy and programme interventions.

Keywords:

• young people who sell sex
• social determinants of health
• COVID-19
• Zimbabwe
• LGBTQ

Acknowledgments

This research forms part of a larger project on Strengthening Legal and Policy Environments for reducing HIV Risk and Improving Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) for Young Key Populations in Southern Africa which is being carried out in Angola, Madagascar, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The authors would like to thank colleagues involved in this larger project, and in particular, Jane Freedman and Carolien Aantjes for comments on an earlier version of this article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Children (<18 years) who are involved in sexual economic exchanges are considered sexually exploited under article 34 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. For the purpose of targeted key population health interventions, the World Health Organization utilises the phrase “young people who sell sex” which incorporates children (10–17 years) and who are considered sexually exploited, and adult sex workers (18–24 years). In this paper, we draw on the term young people who sell sex when referring to participants. When referring to studies conducted amongst adults only, we use the term sex worker (World Health Organization 2015)

2 Although young people are defined as those aged 10-24 years according to the World Health Organisation, we did not recruit anyone younger than 16 years to this study since they are minors for which we would require parental written consent. Given the ethical sensitivities and in the interests of protecting participants we did not view this as feasible. We only included 16 and 17 year olds who were legally considered emancipated minors since this allowed them to provide written informed consent.

3 There were alcohol retail stores as well as unlicenced outlets in low-income residential areas that were clandestinely open at the time. Some participants visited these areas looking for clients.

4 The ban offered an opportunity for those who could secure alcohol to sell it illegally at a premium

5 In informal settlements, food items repackaged in smaller quantities had a ready market i.e., cooking oil could be sold in 250ml or 500mls instead of 2 litres

Additional information

Funding

This research study was funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of The Netherlands (Grant number: 00091626) as part of their regional HIV/AIDS and SRHR programme in Southern Africa. The funder had no role in the design of the study, data collection and analysis, the decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the funder.