Analyzing sex work as a violation of the rights of young women and girls: a case study of Gazebho Ward 27.

Abstract

The dissertation aims at critically examining sex work as a human rights violations affecting young women and girls in Gazebho ward 27, Goromonzi District, Zimbabwe. Rooted in the Feminist political economy framework, which states that involvement in sex work within demographic is matter of constrained survival strategy shaped by absolute poverty ,gender inequality and structural marginalization not mere choice . The researcher will use qualitative case study design underlined by the interprevist philosophy. The research data was collected from 60 young women and girls between age of 16 and 24 engaging or once engaged in sex work ,together key informants as health workers ,social services providers ,community leaders and NGO representatives. Results highlighted on economic deprivation as the primary driver, with 100% participants referring poverty related issues which include insecurity, housing needs, educational expenses and care giving responsibilities. The participants reported various rights violations across multiple sectors including economic exploitation through non payment by clients 95%, institutional abuse through police brutality 90%, physical violence from clients 80%, compromised sexual and reproductive health rights through limited access condoms negotiation power 75% and discrimination within healthcare centers affected 70%.In face of these abuses women presented resent less through informal peer protection networks, economic diversification strategies and psychological coping mechanisms as religious faith and emotional detachment. However ,institutional support mechanisms presented deficient and incompetent, with only 15% having accessed social services and none receiving legal protection. The study summarizes sex work in Gazebho ward 27 Goromonzi District constitutes a systematic human rights problem rooted in structural inequalities and increased institutional failures, which require urgent rights based interventions that address both immediate vulnerabilities and underlying structural drivers.