How do you expect us to survive? Lamentation of female sex workers in Zimbabwe during COVID-19 lockdown

Abstract

The restrictive measures taken to curb and mitigate the spread of the corona virus of 2019 (COVID-19) had negative implications on the vulnerable populations. The most severely affected group among the vulnerable population were sex workers, whose work venues and customers were locked down. This descriptive phenomenological study explored effects of COVID-19 on female sex workers in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Snowballing sampling was used to recruit participants. Data were collected through in-depth face-to-face individual interviews with ten female sex workers. The sample size was determined by data saturation. Colaizzi's seven-step content analysis approach was followed to guide data analysis. Rigour was ensured by adhering to Guba and Lincoln's trustworthiness criteria. The study found that the lockdown measures impacted negatively on sex workers’ income, making it difficult for them to get money for food and rentals. In order to survive, sex workers adopted innovative entrepreneurship. Others engaged in risky sexual behaviours, further aggravating their situation emotionally and psychologically. It is recommended that the government and policy makers provide psychosocial and economic support to protect the rights of female sex workers in order to maintain the gains made in HIV response.