Driving home late at night from a business function in town always reminds me that I should brace up and be extremely cautious. The reason has nothing to do with averting road traffic accidents or fear of being mugged, but to be on the lookout that I am not “invaded” by young prostitutes who loiter at street corners waiting to be picked by old and new clients.

 With my luxury car, my bulging tummy, bald and graying head, I immediately fit the profile of being a generous client to these young girls whose ages range between fifteen and thirty years, just like my own daughters.

 As soon as I slow down my car at a dark street corner in order to carefully negotiate a curve ahead, my concentration is diverted by the young ladies of the night displaying their “wares” by lifting their dress or opening their coat. They come closer and even try to open my door by force, but they are locked. I end up moving onto the other lane because the road ahead is blocked by three or four other vehicles picking those who would have successfully clinched some lucrative night deals to an unknown destination.

High risk business
“After finishing high school with flying colors, but failing to raise enough money to continue with my studies, I did all sorts of exploitative odd jobs until I was introduced to prostitution by my closest friend Rudo. Soon I realised that her lifestyle was changing much faster than mine and for the better. But being picked by strangers and taken to unknown places is a high risk business,” narrates Chenai a former supermarket worker.
   
Drop outs join in
The situation is almost the same in different cities, towns and rural areas. Some places have been nicknamed “red light districts” since they resemble the place well known for sex trade in Amsterdam in The Netherlands. The market is getting overcrowded by the day, as many young girls abandon rural life in search of easy money in big cities, towns and mines.  All the dangers associated with HIV/AIDS which has ravaged the country and entire region is being blatantly disregarded. Despite frequent police raids and detentions, the prostitution business is thriving in leaps and bounds. School drop outs are also joining the ranks in droves since parents fail to pay for school and examinations fees due to economic hardships.
 
“During a good month” explains Lenah, “I get about four well paying clients per day and I can make up to 350 US dollars, more than double the basic monthly salary of a civil servant. I am able to pay for rent, electricity, water and also buy food and cater for my two children who are still attending school. Like others, I am getting more experienced as I prepare for the 2010 World Cup, which should bring some  good business in South Africa and here”
 
Rehabilitation campaign
I am really feeling the need to start my own rehabilitation campaign. On my next drive around the pickup corners, I shall bravely stop and take some of the girls into my car. And to their probable surprise, give them a good lecture about the dangers and high risks involved in the oldest profession and  encourage them to look for other ways to gain a decent living. In that way, I shall also be able to chase away at least some of the clients.

Listen below to comments by Eunice Ecker, a parent and senior citizen from Harare, about her concern regarding rampant prostitution among young girls in Zimbabwe:

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