“NaMwari wangu tozivana”: Religiosity of Sex Workers in Selected Parts of Harare, Zimbabwe

This paper explores the complex relationship between sex work and Christianity, focusing on how sex workers in Harare, Zimbabwe, navigate their identities amidst societal and religious stigmatization. Through interviews with Christian sex workers, we examined how these individuals reconcile their profession with their faith, by mobilizing religious beliefs to create a sense of harmony in their lives. The study introduces the concept of “harmony” as a theoretical framework to understand how sex workers manage identity conflicts and balance their religious and professional selves. It highlights that participants exercise agency by adapting to societal pressures, either through compartmentalization of their identities or by constructing personal religious narratives that affirm their faith. The findings underscore the resilience of sex workers and their ability to find spiritual solace while facing both internal and external challenges. The study contributes to discussions on identity, religion, and marginalized groups.