I recently had the amazing opportunity to attend and lead a session at the Southern Africa Sex Workers Alliance (SASWA) Young Sex Workers Digital Advocacy Training in Johannesburg, South Africa. This experience went beyond being just a professional engagement for me because it allowed me to share my knowledge about the digital world with young sex workers from various parts of Africa.
My name is Tawanda Aubrey Chibonore. I am a young man from Zimbabwe with a passion for the digital world and technology. I am the Web and Graphics Support Officer at the Global Network of Young People Living with HIV (Y+ Global). While my title doesn’t explicitly mention Information Technology, I am excited about it.
SASWA invited me to be a core facilitator at a training event that took place from August 14th to 15th. The platform was beneficial to young sex workers from Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe who were looking to learn more about navigating the digital world in a fun, youthful, and engaging way. My excitement reminded me of my first time facilitating a similar session at the MenEngage Symposium in South Africa in 2023.
Strengthening the digital capacities of marginalised communities has always been a passion of mine, especially because I believe in equality for all, regardless of health status, sexuality, or beliefs. Since I primarily work in the HIV space, opportunities to share the wonders of technology and digitalisation are rare, so I was thrilled to lead this session.
Given the diverse group of participants, from those who barely knew how to use a smartphone to those quite knowledgeable but lacking in certain areas, I knew I had to adopt an inclusive approach. My ultimate goal was to ensure everyone left with a deeper understanding of the digital world.
Over the next two days, we covered the fundamentals of digitalisation, basic skills, and tools needed to navigate digital technologies, as well as digital security and privacy. My sessions were designed to be educative and fun, with quizzes and group work to spark lively discussions and a healthy competitive spirit of shared learning. Participants were eager to prove how much they had learned.
Recognising that many young sex workers might not have the time or resources to attend traditional learning institutions, I emphasised the value of self-paced online courses. We explored different types of learning platforms, such as Asynchronous, Synchronous, Hybrid, and Udemy, which offer a wide range of topics to help them build skills and earn certifications in different capacities.
We explored the evolution of communication, from pen pals and letters to the vast digital networks we have today. I walked them through creating social media accounts on various platforms, highlighting best practices for navigating these spaces safely and effectively. We discussed how to grow personal and business profiles on social media, touching on strategies for engagement and even how to monetise their presence online. The social media session wasn’t just technical, but understanding the power of these platforms for communication and advocacy. We looked at how social media can amplify voices, build communities, and even create income streams, making it a powerful tool in the hands of anyone, regardless of their background or profession.
As the workshop concluded, I realised how enriching it had been. It reinforced how much I’ve grown since joining Y+ Global. From starting as someone less confident in my abilities, I now find myself comfortably leading digitalisation sessions in various settings. I’m proud to say I am ready to facilitate these sessions anywhere, anytime. Perhaps one day, we’ll cross paths so I can share more of what I’ve learned and continue to explore this incredible digital world together.