Government has expressed concern with the escalating presence of commercial sex workers in Chipata District.
Speaking in an interview with Breeze News, District Commissioner, Kalunga Zulu, observes that even young men were sleeping with the prostitutes.
Mr Zulu challenged the women to find alternative means of empowering themselves.
He says that by engaging in commercial sex, the women are putting themselves and the rest of the community at a higher risk of contracting HIV and AIDS.
Mr Zulu urged the sex workers to apply for YDF, the Youth Development Fund or to form clubs so that government can assist them.
He assured the women that they will not be discriminated against as government is willing to empower all Zambians.
During the District Development Coordinating Committee DDCC meeting last week, it was revealed that over 300 commercial sex workers were reached out to in the last quarter.
However, a check by Breeze News has found that the presence of the prostitutes, who line up on Lower and Upper church road and along Obote road in the evenings continues to escalate.