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Title
Private-public partnership supporting sexually exploited minors and young women selling sex to launch microenterprises: lessons learned from Enhanced economic strengthening implementation within DREAMS in Zimbabwe
Presenter
Judith Ncube
Authors
J. Ncube1, P. Moyo2, S. Nyakuwa2, T. Matandirotya3, R. Mashapa4, L. Sibanda4, G. Gonese4, J. Murungu2, I. Mahaka2, B. Makunike4, T. Sola5, G. Ncube5, T. Mharadze6, R. Malaba6, A.K. Korn7, K.A. Thomson7, S. Wiktor7
Institutions
1Pangea Zimbabwe Aids Trust, DREAMS, Binga, Zimbabwe, 2Pangea Zimbabwe Aids Trust, DREAMS, Harare, Zimbabwe, 3Pangea Zimbabwe Aids Trust, DREAMS, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, 4Zimbabwe Technical Assistance, Training & Education Center for Health, DREAMS, Harare, Zimbabwe, 5Ministry of Health and Child Care, HIV and TB Unit, Harare, Zimbabwe, 6Division of Global HIV & TB (DGHT), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Global HIV & TB (DGHT), Harare, Zimbabwe, 7University of Washington, 5International Training and Education Center for Health, Seattle, United States

BACKGROUND: The Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS free, Mentored and Safe (DREAMS) program aims to reduce new HIV infections among sexually exploited minors (SEM) and young women selling sex (YWSS) aged 15 to 24 years. YWSS/SEM received need-based-integrated technical skills trainings to alleviate poverty which exposes YWSS/SEM to HIV as they transact sex for income.
DESCRIPTION: In July 2021 a vulnerability assessment tool was used to identify YWSS/SEM eligible for enhanced economic strengthening (EES) based on economic vulnerability and willingness to participate in long term EES projects. Ministries of women affairs, youth, agriculture, and social development were approached to conduct two days skills trainings for YWSS/SEM on projects that were deemed viable through community engagement. Trained YWSS/SEM received $100 each as a starter-up pack to start, improve or enhanced their businesses. Supported skills in this program included making liquid-laundry soap and petroleum jelly, poultry breeding, crop production, bookkeeping, hairdressing, and catering. To ensure project sustainability support and mentorship visits were conducted by DREAMS and related ministry officials. YWSS/SEM participating in EES projects were linked to markets through synergies between public and private partnerships.
LESSONS LEARNED: This multi-sectorial approach resulted in relevant training, mentoring, and support that enabled YWSS/SEM to launch business. Private-public synergies enabled resource mobilization to supplement DREAMS efforts. Need-based-integrated technical skills transfer economically empowered YWSS/SEM leading to an increase in disposable income and reduced reliance on transactional sex. Continued support, mentorship and look and learn visits for YWSS/SEM impacted hands-on knowledge and eagerness to continue with businesses. YWSS/SEM showcased handmade products at international fairs, opening doors for long-term business opportunities. Starter-up packs enabled YWSS/SEM to build and own businesses. Economically supported YWSS/SEM verbalized reduced dependency on transactional sex as time was spent on business management, significantly reducing chances for new HIV infections.
CONCLUSIONS: DREAMS and other district stakeholders will continue supporting YWSS/SEM to showcase products at local and regional business market fairs. YWSS/SEM will be encouraged to engage in Internal-Savings-And-Lending-Scheme for access to sustainable financing, to boost their business. Business diversification will help expand YWSS/SEM product market. YWSS/SEM to mentor and problem-solve with other entrepreneurs.