ENTEBBE – Family Medical Point and Voices for Health and Development joined forces on December 1st to create awareness against HIV/AIDS in Kigungu landing site. The event, held on World AIDS Day, aimed to educate the community, particularly female sex workers, about the importance of safe sex practices and the prevention of HIV transmission.
As part of the event, Ms. Polyne Nabwire, Programmes and Communication Coordinator at Family Medical Point, emphasized the significance of World AIDS Day. “This day is an opportunity for us to stand in solidarity with individuals living with HIV/AIDS and provide solutions to the community,” she said.
Uganda has made significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, with the prevalence rate declining from 18.5% in 1992 to 6.2% in 2020, according to the Uganda AIDS Commission. However, despite this progress, the epidemic remains a significant public health concern, particularly among vulnerable populations such as sex workers.
According to the Uganda AIDS Commission, the HIV prevalence rate among sex workers is significantly higher than the national average, standing at 37.2% in 2020. This is attributed to various factors, including limited access to HIV prevention and treatment services, high levels of stigma and discrimination, and limited economic opportunities.
Nakato, a female sex worker at Kigungu landing site, shared her concerns about the challenges faced by women in her work. “Sex work is the primary source of income for many of us, but it comes with significant risks. We struggle with poverty, and many of us are forced to engage in unprotected sex, which increases our risk of contracting HIV.”
Nakato highlights the power dynamics at play in her line of work. “When a client demands unprotected sex, it’s difficult for us to refuse, even if we’re aware of the risks. We’re often pressured into compromising our safety for the sake of earning a living.”
She also notes that excessive alcohol consumption is common among sex workers, making them more vulnerable to exploitation. “When we’re intoxicated, we’re less likely to insist on condom use, which increases our risk of contracting HIV and experiencing unwanted pregnancies.”
Nakato’s words offer a glimpse into the complex challenges faced by sex workers in Kigungu. Despite the dangers and difficulties, many women like Nakato continue to engage in sex work due to limited economic opportunities.
Shakilah is another sex worker. She highlighted the misuse of condoms as a major contributor to the spread of HIV. “Some of us use the condoms provided to us to light our charcoal stoves instead of for their intended purpose.”
Shakilah also highlighted the limited knowledge among sex workers about Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). “If we are to effectively control the spread of HIV, we need to address these knowledge gaps and ensure that we have access to accurate information and resources.”
Furthermore, Shakilah emphasized the need for regulations to address excessive alcohol consumption, which is prevalent among sex workers. “Most of us spend the entire day drinking, and it’s unrealistic to expect someone in that state to negotiate condom use with a client. If we’re serious about reducing the spread of HIV, we need to address the root causes, including alcohol consumption habits.”
Ms. Nabwire noted that as part of their outreach efforts, a Musawo Session conducted with female sex workers at Kigungu landing site, aimed to disseminate accurate information on sexual and reproductive health issues.
“The session revealed persistent misinformation and stigma surrounding HIV, with many participants harboring misconceptions about preventive measures such as lubricants. This underscores the need for continued efforts by stakeholders to address these knowledge gaps,” she said.
She also stressed that Kigungu landing site, where sex work is a primary economic activity, poses significant challenges in accessing essential services. “The area experiences frequent shortages of condoms, increasing the risk of HIV transmission. Moreover, the local health facility lacks adequate equipment, hindering its ability to provide basic medical services.”
Ms. Nabwire emphasized the need for the government to prioritize the provision of sexual and reproductive health commodities, including condoms, and improve the overall healthcare infrastructure in the area.
Jamila, another sex worker at the site, shared a harrowing account of the dangers faced by women in her job. “Sex workers are frequently targeted and killed. When a client demands unprotected sex and we refuse, they often become violent, strangling and stabbing us to death.”
Jamila lamented the lack of justice for sex workers who are victims of violence. “Even when we report these incidents to the police, our cases are rarely investigated, and we’re often ignored. We’ve lost faith in the system and have stopped reporting these crimes.”
The consequences of this impunity are devastating. “When one of us is killed, we simply come together to pay for her burial, and that’s the end of it. We’ve become desensitized to the violence and trauma that surrounds us.”
Jamila’s own body bears the scars of this violence. “If you look at us, you’ll see that most of us have wounds or scars from the beatings and attacks we’ve endured. It’s a constant reminder of the dangers we face every day.”
Kigungu landing site has become a haven for criminals, according to Jamila. “This place is a breeding ground for criminals. They can easily hide here after committing a crime elsewhere, and it’s hard for the authorities to track them down.”
Esther Juliet Apio, Team Leader at Voices for Health and Development, highlighted the organization’s efforts to support the community at Kigungu landing site.
She emphasized that the female sex workers in the area face numerous challenges that intersect between sexual and reproductive health issues and gender-based violence.
“We have learned that these women are frequently subjected to abuse by their clients. Our approach is focused on communication, and we have listened to their stories of being beaten, cut with sharp objects, and subjected to other forms of brutal treatment.”
Apio underscored the need for policy reforms to protect the rights and well-being of sex workers. “The women have expressed frustration with policies that fail to support them. We will document their testimonies and work with other stakeholders to explore ways to provide them with assistance and protection.”
The two organisations distributed essential commodities such as male and female condoms, and lubricants to the residents of Kigungu landing site.
As the event came to a close, the organizers and participants reflected on the importance of continued efforts to address the spread of HIV/AIDS in Uganda, particularly among vulnerable populations such as sex workers. By working together, they hoped to create a safer, more supportive environment for all.
