Don’t Drink and Have Sex is a motto of some female sex workers from Musanze district, Northern Province.

They pledged never to drink beer before sex in order to prevent HIV infection, because, from their experience, when they get drunk they lose control and do unprotected sex.

Philomène Kamabera is one of female sex worker in Musanze district. She started as sex worker barely four years ago.

She said, that in the past, she could happen to do unprotected sex with men regardless of consequences because for her, “what mattered was money.”

However, she said, in 2019 the Global Fund/CCM Rwanda through National Association for Supporting People Living with HIV (ANSP+) trained them through their associate in DUHINDUKE DUKORE-Musanze, which changed their mindset.

“We were given condoms, HIV testing kits and were allowed to go to health center every 6 months to test for HIV. This is quite an important support in our life,” said Kamabera.

Marie Chantal Iragena, another female sex worker from Musanze said that before any sexual intercourse she would go for drinking binge to avoid pain.

“When you get drunk some men happen to go without paying you – others treat you with unprotected sex,” she said.

 “To avoid all these inconveniences, today I cannot do sex after drinking. Till now I receive calls from the men we enjoyed together last year, but today I select depending on the offer,” said Iragena.

Before joining ANSP+ the sex workers said that they were women of every man who needed sex, but now they are independent women who are able to make choices.

Meanwhile, the women have received 10 HIV test kits, but they claimed that they are not enough. They suggest the Global Fund/CCM Rwanda to help with more test kits.

Keeping in mind that one may not convince sex workers to leave their lifestyle overnight, in ANSP+ philosophy, priority is to protect sex workers and sensitize them to quit while supporting them financially.

That can work through skills development which can allow them to be financially independent.