AN activist against gender-based violence claims that sex has become a part-time job for many young individuals who are looking to make money to finance their needs.
Oamogetswe Chikwado, a member of the Black Womxn Caucus, Gender-Based Violence NGO, said this to Daily Sun as she unpacked reasons Gauteng was seeing a rapid increase in Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI).
She said young people, who fall victim to participating in sex for money, are those from child-headed families and those with poor backgrounds because they know they have nothing to fall back on.
In her example, she used a girl from a poor background who relies on NSFAS to fund her studies, but with the scheme facing complications, the young girl takes matters into her own hands to settle registration.
“It's them trying to make ends meet but also making enough money to send back home. This is some kind of part-time job for them,” she said.
Oamogetwe also attributed the rise of STIs to a lack of knowledge of prevention methods, often caused by a lack of access to clinics, especially in informal settlements or villages.
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Word on the ground
On the streets of Randburg in Joburg, many of the youth blamed the rise on negligence.
“People don't care about their lives. They want to make a quick buck, and don’t take care of themselves, which is why they find themselves with STIs. Another thing Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) has made things worse because people can do whatever they want and nothing can happen to them," Thapelo Mashego said.
Sphesihle Mfaba (23), on the other hand, argued that broken homes, a lack of self-respect, and men sleeping with younger children are the causes.
Also agreeing with Sphesihle, Manqoba Mbele (24) said the youth doesn’t have safe sex.
He said there was nothing wrong with having multiple partners but ensure that you practice safe se.
The Gauteng Health Department has issued a public warning on reckless sexual behaviour, citing increased STIs in areas like Alexandra, Sandton, Joburg, Braamfontein, Hillbrow, Germiston, Katlehong, Vooslorus, Sedibeng, and Tshwane.
Plan of action
Joburg has tertiary institutions and high-risk individuals, while areas like Merafong, Ekurhuleni South, and Lesedi have mines dominated by males, TVET colleges, informal settlements, truck stops, and hostels.
In addressing the rise of STIs, Shout it Now spokeswoman Zonja Penzhorn stressed the use of condoms, PrEP and PEP taken as soon as possible within 72 hours post possible HIV exposure.
At the same time, she said more should be done to provide the youth with a non-judgmental environment in which to speak openly about their lifestyles and possible concerns to gain access to free services.
