Malawi Sex workers angry at men for choosing minors

Sex workers in Malawi are expressing their surprise and frustration over men’s reported preference for underage girls.

This is coming following the arrest of videographer VJ Kenny who is accused of involving himself with a 15-year-old identified as a victim of abduction and sexual assault.

Now, sex workers argue that their services are affordable, urging men to reconsider their choices.

In response, sex workers have reached out to Malawi Data News to express their bewilderment at why men would choose illegal and dangerous liaisons over legal sexual services.

Malita Gomiwa, a sex worker, stated, “Our services are affordable. Why go to people who can have you arrested?”

Gertrude Liwombo, another sex worker, emphasized the need for men to recognize the advantages of engaging with adults.

“We are asking the Sex Workers Association of Malawi to address this issue. Men need to understand how good we are instead of chasing after young girls,” she said.

Investigative efforts by Malawi Data News reveal that many sex workers are adapting their marketing strategies in urban hotspots such as Kamba, Mmango, Kachere in Blantyre, Bwandilo in Lilongwe, and Paris and Linde in Mzuzu.

These areas have seen a surge in sex workers promoting their services as safe and legal alternatives.

Sex work is not entirely illegal in Malawi, as selling sex is not explicitly criminalized, but it is a gray area because activities related to it, such as “living on the proceeds of prostitution,” soliciting, and using public spaces for sex work, are illegal under laws like those against “rogue and vagabond” or “idle and disorderly” conduct.

This means sex workers are frequently targeted and may face abuse from law enforcement, despite being able to work as long as they are not involved in these related criminalized activities.