Abstract:
Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in child sex work is
reportedly rising in Zimbabwe. While children of both sexes are affected, more
females than males are forced to engage in sexual acts in exchange for money,
food, access to shelter, education or some other gains from adults who control
these means of survival and commodities. Drivers of CSEC include
socioeconomic factors, negative peer pressure, childhood abuse, the influence
of uncensored social media, and, more recently, the economic impact of
COVID-19. Involvement in underage sex work exposes children to severe
adversities, such as psychosocial and mental health disorders, physical and
biological injuries, venereal diseases and HIV. CSEC is a growing concern for
resource-limited countries, disenfranchises children and robs particularly the
girl child of a better future. The worsening socioeconomic landscape in
Zimbabwe and the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated the problem.
Solving the problem of CSEC requires a multipronged approach that involves
stakeholders from several sectors, including public health, education, social
services, security and the legal fraternity. There is a need to empower
communities, empower civil society and development partners, enhance legal
frameworks, provide messaging, education and vocational training, as well as
rehabilitative services for affected children and their families. CSEC is a
violation of the child’s rights and a public health concern that needs to be
addressed as a matter of urgency to preserve the next generation’s human
capital necessary for the sustainable development of Zimbabwe.