AFRICA ( commonwealth Union ) _ Mogadishu, Somalia – In a city ravaged by conflict and poverty, a dark and hidden industry has emerged: sex work. For years, prostitution has been a taboo topic in Somalia, a deeply conservative and religious society. But behind closed doors, sex work has become a means of survival for many women.
Two Somali sex workers explain how they got involved in the risky underground sector. By Layla Mahmood and Mohamed Gabobe Mogadishu’s lively and buzzing Lido Beach provides a taste of what the city can develop into as it strives to move past the strife. The women involved in this obscure area of the city are young, impoverished, and frequently exposed in this predominantly Muslim country.
Fardousa reveals that she left home at the age of 19, which is unusual in Somali culture because young women typically stay with their families until they are married. However, some people can be driven away by domestic violence or unbridgeable rifts with other family members, and this seems to be a growing trend.
According to local activists, the sex industry in Somalia is thriving, with an estimated 10,000 women working as prostitutes in the capital city alone. The majority of these women are young and impoverished, with limited education and few job opportunities. While sex work is illegal in Somalia, the authorities have turned a blind eye to the industry, citing more pressing security concerns. This has created a dangerous and unregulated environment for sex workers, who face a range of risks, including violence, exploitation, and sexually transmitted infections.
Many of these women are also at risk of being arrested or punished by the authorities, who often target sex workers as a way of enforcing conservative social norms. This has made it difficult for sex workers to access basic health care and other services, and has forced many to work in even more dangerous conditions. Despite these challenges, some sex workers have banded together to form informal support networks, providing each other with emotional and practical assistance. Activists are also working to raise awareness of the issue and provide support to sex workers, but the road ahead remains long and difficult. For now, the hidden world of sex work in Somalia continues to thrive, with little hope for change in the near future.
