Sex workers in Kamituga face health risks and stigma as mpox spreads through the mining hub, threatening livelihoods.
Sex workers in Kamituga, eastern Congo, are at the center of an mpox outbreak, grappling with health risks, stigma, and economic hardship. With around 40,000 sex workers in this mining hub, the majority of mpox cases are contracted through sexual contact, exacerbating vulnerabilities. Despite the outbreak, many sex workers continue working due to economic necessity, while facing stigma from clients and the wider community. The lack of vaccines and condoms, along with social and legal barriers, hinders efforts to control the virus’s spread. Health officials push for intervention, but the response remains limited.
The outbreak in Kamituga highlights broader systemic issues, such as poverty, the precarious situation of women, and the sex industry’s entanglement with mining economies. As sex work remains the primary income source for many women, particularly single mothers, stopping the spread of mpox without providing economic alternatives remains a challenge.
Health officials warn that without targeted support for sex workers, the virus could extend further into Congo and the region.
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