OPINION > Plein Tok Prostitution In Sierra Leone: A Cultural Treat Posted by Pat Kawa In Bo on Aug 2, 2008, 18:39

The increasing rate of prostitution among young teenagers ranging from thirteen to eighteen is rapidly rising at the alarming proportion if proper steps are not taken by the government of Dr Ernest Bai Koroma to alleviate the economic problems facing women. Society stands to lose poverty and immoral habit of sexual exposition among women especially girls in junior and secondary school only helps to escalate problem. Prostitution is a practice frowned at and morally condemned by our customs and tradition. But the impact of our western cultural invasion in our society had sadly eroded some of our scared.

Most women in our society now put their womanhood for sale like fish mongers in the Gbongo market and central Market in Bo City at the detriment of their dignity and moral integrity.

Thoughts understandable some girls take to prostitution involuntarily in order to survive the economic crisis. The high rate of unemployment among young girls especially school going children and dropout the struggle to cope with the complicity of modernization to beauty in the commercial sex industry.

The many brothels and hide outs in the country in general and Bo city in particular are clear indications that the profitable commercial sex trade is yielding fruit for certain sectors in our society. About 75% of Sierra Leonean teenagers are actively involved in the rising sex trade operating unnoticed.

The booming commercial sex industry has attracted hundreds and thousands of foreigners and national customers. Even some parents and guardians encouraged their daughters to go out with men for the night as part of their family effort to keep the pot boiling at home. Prostitute could be seen almost every were especially at entertainment centers at night as long as commercial delivery power is available. Popular entertainment centers such as Talk of the Town popularly known as TOT, Black and White and Down Town Disco are in the mood of sex carnival at night as young girls could be seen chasing potential customers for their live hood and material wealth. One would sock to see young girls littering these areas with exposed body almost half naked with transparent and gripping skin tight as a ploy to wet the appetite of their numerous customers.

TOT as fondly called and Black and White are one of the strategic ports for young girls to satisfy them sexual urge of potential men.

Most health experts say the country appear towards an Aids crisis of a very devastating magnitude. The dangers of sexual transmitted diseases like syphilis, gonorrhea all so posing serious threats to life. It is also worth noting that the level of unmarried pregnancy among is rising fast. If the practice of prostitution as a cultural socked is not put to a halt by government of Dr Ernest Bai Koroma the moral and respect of women is as take.