Prostitution in Africa

Prostitution in Africa is illegal in most countries. Nevertheless, it is frequently common in practice, driven by the widespread poverty in many sub-Saharan African countries,[1] and is one of the drivers for the prevalence of AIDS in Africa.[2] Social breakdown caused by civil war or economic collapse in several African countries has caused further increases in the rate of prostitution in those countries.

Transactional sexual relationships are particularly common in sub-Saharan Africa, where they often involve relationships between older men and younger women or girls. In many cases, the woman in a transactional sexual relationship may remain faithful to her boyfriend, while he may have multiple sexual partners. In other cases, the woman may have multiple partners. In both of these cases, transactional sex presents an increased risk of HIV infection. As a result, transactional sex is a factor involved in the spread of AIDS in Africa.

Contents

Botswana

Prostitution is illegal in Botswana, but is neverthelss common. Legalization is currently being discussed as a means of lowering HIV infection rates, which are among the highest in the world. Both the head of the National AIDS Council, Festus Mogae, and the main opposition leader are in favor of the initiative, while the Catholic Church is opposed.[3]

Cameroon

Prostitution in Cameroon is illegal but attracts sex tourism from the west especially for child prostitution. The Cameroonian government has attempted to stop this trade by agreeing to multi-laterial agreements such as charters against sex tourism, like signing up with the Universal Federation of Travels Agents Associations (UFTAA).[4]

Côte d'Ivoire

In Côte d'Ivoire prostitution itself (exchanging sex for money) is legal, but associated activities such as soliciting, pandering or running brothels are illegal.[5] The civil war has left many women in need for wages, so some have resorted to prostitution, as there is high unemployment.[6]

Ethiopia

Prostitution in Ethiopia is legal, but procuring (operating brothels, benefiting from prostitution, etc.) is illegal according to Article 634 of the Ethiopian Penal Code, as revised May 2005.[7] Many feel it has contributed to the increased incidence of AIDS.[8]

The Gambia

Prostitution in The Gambia is illegal and highly a social taboo[9] [10]

Ghana

Prostitution in Ghana is illegal.[11][12]

Liberia

Prostitution is illegal in Liberia[13] Like its neighbor, Sierra Leone, child prostitution has seen an increase in the aftermath of a civil war.[14]

Morocco

Prostitution has been illegal in Morocco since the 1970s, [15] but is widespread[16] [17][18] and legalisation is under discussion.[19]

Morocco is a one of the premier destinations for child sex tourism in Africa. [20] The country is considered as tier 2. [21]

Many children are vulnerable as adoption laws in Morocco are very rigid and difficult which is made worse if the child is female because of preference for boys. Morocco's increasing reputation for attracting foreign pedophiles made it sign various international treaties to deal with the problem.[22] [23][24] Male prostitution exists but is stigmatised.[25] Health services for Moroccan sex workers include OPALS. [26]

Nigeria

Nigeria has become a major exporter of female women for prostitution.[27][28] [29] Ike Ekweremadu deputy president proposed a bill to legalise prostitution.[30]

Senegal

Prostitution in Senegal is legal and regulated. Prostitutes must be at least 21 years of age, register with the police, carry a valid sanitary card, and test negative for sexually transmitted infections. [31] NGOs working with prostitutes claim that the police abuses prostitutes. [31][32].

Sierra Leone

Since the end of the ten-year civil war in Sierra Leone, there has been an increase in child prostitution, especially among children who are struggling to survive.[33] This is happening in spite of the fact that prostitution is illegal in the country.[34]

Zambia

Prostitution in Zambia is illegal but Zambia has a huge problem relating to child prostitution. There is a mistaken belief having intercourse with a virgin will cure AIDS.[35]

Zimbabwe

Prostitution in Zimbabwe is illegal[36][37] but since the increase of famine in the country prostitution has thrived.[38][39]

Other

Main article: Prostitution in Burkina Faso
Main article: Prostitution in Egypt
Main article: Prostitution in Kenya
Main article: Prostitution in Rwanda
Main article: Prostitution in South Africa
Main article: Prostitution in Swaziland
Main article: Prostitution in Tanzania
Main article: Prostitution in Tunisia
Main article: Prostitution in Uganda
Main article: Prostitution in Zanzibar

External links

Cameroon
Côte d'Ivoire
Ethiopia
The Gambia
Ghana
Liberia
Morocco
Nigeria
Senegal
Zimbabwe
Sierra Leone
Zambia

See also

References

  1. ^ "Increasing prostitution driven by poverty in drought-stricken Kenya - Welthungerhilfe". Welthungerhilfe.de. http://www.welthungerhilfe.de/799.html. Retrieved 2010-01-25. 
  2. ^ "AIDS & Prostitution". Avert.org. 2009-11-12. http://www.avert.org/prostitution-aids.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-25. 
  3. ^ http://www.timeslive.co.za/africa/2011/11/08/push-to-legalise-prostitution-in-botswana
  4. ^ "2007 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices » Africa » Cameroon". United States Department of State. 2008-03-11. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2007/100470.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-25. 
  5. ^ "2008 Human Rights Report: Cote d'Ivoire". United States Department of State. 2009-02-25. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2008/af/118997.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-25. 
  6. ^ "2006 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices » Africa » Cote d'Ivoire". United States Department of State. 2007-03-06. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78730.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-25. 
  7. ^ "2008 Human Rights Reports: Ethiopia - Section 5 Discrimination, Societal Abuses, and Trafficking in Persons", United States Department of State website (accessed 26 May 2009)
  8. ^ Kathleen Griffin, "Ethiopia - HIV/AIDS", Canadian Community Newspapers Association (accessed 26 May 2009)
  9. ^ "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices". United States Department of State. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2002/18205.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-01. 
  10. ^ "Independent Appeal: Breaking the silence of Gambia's sex tourism". Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/appeals/indy-appeal/independent-appeal-breaking-the-silence-of-gambias-sex-tourism-2164853.html. Retrieved 2010-12-20. 
  11. ^ 2008 Human Rights Report: Ghana
  12. ^ Ghana
  13. ^ "2006 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices -Liberia". United States Department of State. 2007-03-06. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78742.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-25. 
  14. ^ Toweh, Alphonso (2006-05-10). "Sexual abuse threatens Liberia's recovery". London: Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/may/12/outlook.development1. Retrieved 2010-07-25. 
  15. ^ "2007 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - Morocco". United States Department of State. 2008-03-11. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2007/100602.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-25. 
  16. ^ Moroccan Culture: Women in Morocco
  17. ^ Moroccan prostitution market prospers. Al Bawaba News Aug 2 2010
  18. ^ Venema, Bernhard & Bakker, Jogien. A permissive zone for prostitution in the Middle Atlas of Morocco. Ethnology 2004
  19. ^ On Legalizing Prostitution. Morocco Board Dec 5 2010
  20. ^ "Child Sex Tourism in Morocco" (PDF). London, United Kingdom: ECPAT UK - End Child Prostitution Pornography and Trafficking. 24 August 2006. http://www.ecpat.org.uk/downloads/Morocco05.pdf. Retrieved 2010-01-25. 
  21. ^ "IV. Country Narratives: Near East - Trafficking in Persons Report". United States Department of State. 2004-06-14. http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2004/33195.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-25. 
  22. ^ "New report addresses causes of sex tourism in Morocco (Magharebia.com)". Magharebia.com. http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2007/12/28/feature-01. Retrieved 2010-01-25. 
  23. ^ "Morocco Clamps Down On Sex Tourism". Archived from the original on 2007-09-19. http://web.archive.org/web/20070919015022/http://english.aljazeera.net/English/archive/archive?ArchiveId=13976. 
  24. ^ "streetlife". BBC World Service. 2000-07-01. http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/people/highlights/streetlife.shtml. Retrieved 2010-01-25. 
  25. ^ Boushaba A, Imane L, Tawil O, Himmich H. "Study of the characteristics of male prostitution in Morocco and development of appropriate HIV/AIDS prevention strategies". Gateway.nlm.nih.gov. http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/MeetingAbstracts/ma?f=102221216.html. Retrieved 2010-01-25. 
  26. ^ Moroccan study finds prostitutes lacking AIDS awareness. Magharebia 27b Nov 2008
  27. ^ "Removing curtains of Arab harems - III". Blitz. http://www.weeklyblitz.net/1680/removing-curtains-of-arab-harems-iii. Retrieved 2011-09-27. 
  28. ^ "60% of prostitutes in Italy and Belgium are Nigerians". Daily Times of Nigeria. http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/60-prostitutes-italy-and-belgium-are-nigerians. Retrieved 2011-12-29. 
  29. ^ "Nigeria has highest victims of forced labour, prostitution". Nigerian Tribune. http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/labour-today/18585-nigeria-has-highest-victims-of-forced-labour-prostitution. Retrieved 2011-12-29. 
  30. ^ "Ekweremadu regrets prostitution comments". Daily Times of Nigeria. http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/ekweremadu-regrets-prostitution-comments. Retrieved 2011-12-29. 
  31. ^ a b 2008 Human Rights Report: Senegal
  32. ^ "Trafficking in Persons Report". Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/123365.pdf. Retrieved 2010-07-31. 
  33. ^ U.S. State Department report on Human Rights Practices in Sierra Leone
  34. ^ "Trafficking in Persons Report". Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/123365.pdf. Retrieved 2010-07-31. 
  35. ^ "The history of HIV and AIDS in Zambia". Mat 13, 2010. http://www.avert.org/aids-zambia.htm. Retrieved June 16, 2010. 
  36. ^ "Zimbabwe - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002". United States Department of State. 2003-03-31. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2002/18234.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-25. 
  37. ^ "Microsoft Word - Zimbabwe.doc" (PDF). Interpol. http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/CsaZimbabwe.pdf. Retrieved 2010-01-25. 
  38. ^ Philp, Catherine (March 26, 2008). "Zimbabwean children who sell their bodies ten times a day just to buy bread". The Times (London). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article3624252.ece. Retrieved 2010-01-25. 
  39. ^ Philp, Catherine (March 26, 2008). "Zimbabwean children who sell their bodies ten times a day just to buy bread". The Times (London, England). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article3621423.ece. Retrieved 2010-01-25. 
Prostitution in Africa
Sovereign
states
States with limited
recognition
  • Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
  • Somaliland
Dependencies and
other territories
  • Canary Islands / Ceuta / Melilla / Plazas de soberanía (Spain)
  • Madeira (Portugal)
  • Mayotte / Réunion (France)
  • Saint Helena / Ascension Island / Tristan da Cunha (United Kingdom)