Sex workers in Kamituga, Congo, are facing significant challenges in the wake of the mpox outbreak. With an estimated 40,000 sex workers in the area, many are single mothers driven by poverty to this mineral-rich commercial hub where gold miners make up the majority of clients. Doctors suggest that 80% of cases in Kamituga are sexually transmitted, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention.
Despite the risks of reinfection and spreading the virus, sex workers like Sifa Kunguja feel compelled to continue working due to financial pressures. The stigma surrounding mpox has led to a decline in clients, impacting the livelihoods of these women.
