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Prostitution in Ivory Coast

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Prostitution in Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) is legal, but associated activities, such as soliciting, pandering or running brothels, are illegal.[1][2] Sex workers report law enforcement is sparse and corrupt. Police sometimes harass sex workers and demand bribes or sexual favours.[1][2] Transgender prostitutes are often targeted by police and soldiers and subjected to violence.[3]

The civil war has left many women in need for wages, so some have resorted to prostitution, as there is high unemployment.[4][5]

In the capital, Abidjan, most of the prostitutes come from Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Mali, Senegal and other West African states.[6] Ivoirian soldiers and UN Peacekeeping personnel are amongst the clients.[5]

In the cities, sex workers have started organisations to protect their interests. Often they cater for a particular ethnic group. Each organisation has a president and other officers, these are normally older prostitutes who are regarded as "wiser".[6]

Sex Tourism is also a problem in the Ivory Coast.[7][8]

Local nomenclature

  • "Serpents" - In Abidjan, street walkers are known as "serpents" because of the hissing sounds they make to attract clients.[5] Rue Pierre et Marie Curie in the city's red-light district of Marcory Zone 4 is known locally as "Serpent Street".[9]
  • "Dioula women" - Younger prostitutes originating from Mali. After a short stint working as prostitutes they become traders in local markets.[6]
  • "Karoua women" - Older Zarma or Hausa women, usually divorced, from Ghana.[6]
  • "Evolue" - These women, from various countries in French West Africa, seek clients in bars and nightclubs.[6]
  • "TouTou" - Coming from the British West African states, these women are mainly street prostitutes. The name is derived from 'two shillings, two pence'; a prostitute who doesn't charge much.[6]

History

Prior to the arrival of the Europeans, a form of institutional prostitution took place in the country. The political elite acquired women, usually slaves, to service the sexual needs of the unmarried males. They were initiated by religious rites and their earnings were controlled by the state. To distinguish them, they wore a cloth of white linen around their head. Married men were forbidden to use their services, and punishment was severe.[10]

In the 1960's, many French prostitutes came to the country, mainly from Paris and [[Marseilles]. They worked as barmaids at bars and nightclubs, predominately in Abidjan. They charged high fees, but the bar owner took a per-client "air conditioning" commission. Because of the high fees, clients were Europeans or elite Africans.[6]

Human trafficking

Main article: Human trafficking in Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children subjected to sex trafficking. Trafficking within the country is more prevalent than transnational trafficking, and the majority of identified victims are children. Due to a stronger emphasis on monitoring and combating child trafficking within the country, the prevalence of adult trafficking may be under reported. Ivoirian women and girls are primarily subjected to forced labor in domestic service and restaurants in Cote d’Ivoire but are also exploited in sex trafficking.[11] Some women and girls recruited from Ghana and Nigeria[12] as waitresses are subjected to sex trafficking.[11] Officials note illegal Ivoirian migrants in Algeria are vulnerable to trafficking due to their irregular and illegal status. A lack of comprehensive data on trafficking in Cote d’Ivoire renders the full scope of the problem unknown.[11]

The United States Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons ranks Ivory Coast as a Tier 2 Watch List country.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b "Sex Work Law - Countries". Sexuality, Poverty and Law. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b "2008 Human Rights Report: Cote d'Ivoire". United States Department of State. 2009-02-25. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  3. ^ Corey-Boulet, Robbie (12 October 2012). "Transgender prostitutes face abuse in Ivory Coast". Taiwan News. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  4. ^ "2006 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices » Africa » Cote d'Ivoire". United States Department of State. 2007-03-06. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  5. ^ a b c "Young West African Girls Face Perils of Prostitution, Trafficking". VOA. 27 October 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Ditmore, Melissa Hope (1 January 2006). "Encyclopedia of Prostitution and Sex Work". Greenwood Publishing Group. Retrieved 8 January 2018 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ "Massaging the truth: Sexual tourism in Ivory Coast". Radio Netherlands. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 2012-10-12.
  8. ^ "Earning a Living... - Blog from Mandanou, Cote D'Ivoire". Off Exploring. 4 February 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  9. ^ Duhem, Vincent (20 July 2015). "Avis aux noctambules abidjanais : la Zone 4 est désormais à deux pas… de danse – JeuneAfrique.com". Jeune Afrique (in French). Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  10. ^ Harley, ed. by Sharon (2007). Women's labor in the global economy : speaking in multiple voices ([Online-Ausg.]. ed.). New Brunswick, NJ [u.a.]: Rutgers Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0813540443. {{cite book}}: |first1= has generic name (help)
  11. ^ a b c d "Cote d'Ivoire 2016 Trafficking in Persons Report". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 8 January 2018.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  12. ^ Motshegwa, Lesego (28 August 2010). "Nigeria teens sold for prostitution in Ivory Coast". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 8 January 2018.

Further reading

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