Child Prostitution: has the social mileu contributed in any way towards its spread?

The issue of child prostitution has reached an alarming proportion in recent times. More often than not, the practice involves anyone having a carnal knowledge of a female below the age of 18 years with or without her consent.

Reports in the media are awash with stories on child prostitution which indicate an upsurge in this unfortunate phenomenon. But what is even more striking is the involvement of children, some below the age of 12.

One, therefore, begins to contemplate on what could prompt these children into indulging themselves in this awful act. Could it be due to the monetary gains or the kind of society they find themselves in?

It is, indeed, true that the youth of today have developed all sorts of ‘ways and means’ of acquiring money and wealth, and the world’s oldest profession has been high on the agenda for most young ladies in this regard. However, upon a second thought, I have realized that the social setting has impacted negatively on these innocent ones into getting themselves immersed in this undignified act.

Girls of today seem to have been neglected by the society. Often times, we see people who go for some of these children from the villages on the pretext of helping them learn a trade or acquire certain skills but end up ushering them into prostitution. Though members of the society become aware of this worrying situation, they stand aloof for fear of being victimized and rebuked by those involved in this business and allow these children to be exploited.

Even more disturbing is the tendency on the part of parents to renege on their responsibilities to their children by imploring them rather to fend for them (parents). These children have no option but to grapple with ways and means of making money to fend for themselves, their parents and siblings.

Moreso, there seem to be a dereliction of duty on the part of society with regard to offering sex education to the youth of today. The issue of sex is often tagged as ‘sacred’ with little or no mention of it at homes. Thus, these young girls have no knowledge of the repercussions of their indulgence in this act. “Curiosity, they say, kills the Cat”. Therefore in their attempt to experiment the act of sex, they end up being caught in the ‘sex web’ itself thereby leading them to practice prostitution.

Additionally, the sort of expectations and demands the society is making of the youth of today is also contributing to the current decay. Some people lead these children into prostitution and make them work against their will to bring money home for them.

Again, the phenomenon of giving these girls out for early marriages without proper knowledge of the bridegroom’s background leading to a divorce initiates the gravitation of girls into prostitution.

In some societies, the children are not lured but are thrust into prostitution. There was a case of a fifteen year old girl who was sold to a brothel owner by her father following incest. Some of these girls are victims of incest and they end up in the practice.

The growing poverty, increasing urbanization, industrialization, migration and widespread unemployment are also responsible for the prevalence and perpetuation of the child prostitution.

Child prostitution has brought unbearable effects on the society. The practice is economically unsound, psychologically disastrous, morally dangerous and harmful to the growth and development of the child. One can hardly imagine the extreme trauma that these children go through.

These young girls end up contracting various diseases including the dreaded HIV AIDS. Their immune systems become weak and are therefore prone to attacks of all sorts which lead to some of them losing their lives at such tender ages.

They become ready recruits for the practice in the future for they are rendered unfit for any other trade or job. This is because hardly do these girls further their education whilst in the practice.

Child prostitution itself is a criminal activity and serves as a catalyst for further criminal association in other fields. The helpless children are turned into mere pawns in the criminal syndicates which lead to a steady deterioration of morals.

Our society has not only turned a blind eye to minor girls being enticed into prostitution but is also responsible for the continuance in growth of child prostitution.

It is in this regard that the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) condemns the spate of child prostitution and the alarming situation where Ghana’s children are increasingly being exploited for commercial sex, posing a great threat to the nation.

The Commission views prostitution as illegal and undignifying even when it is practiced among adults and sees the practice as extremely injurious and horrendous when it involves children.

It also abhors the extent of child prostitution since this type of exploitation and abuse is usually hidden, taking place behind closed doors and most children feel too much guilt, shame and fear to seek help.

The situation could only be salvaged if the society begins to play its role effectively by waging a rigorous attack on child prostitution.

It is high time the society begun to assert itself on children by rolling out programmes aimed at bringing some sanity in their moral fibre. Education on child prostitution could, therefore, start from the basic level with both teachers and parents playing major roles in this fight.

The Commission believes that an awareness creation campaign of the intractable challenges of poverty, exploitation and rights abuses facing these children is vital to enable the facilitation of a safer world for them. Entry into prostitution should not be imputed to economic necessity.

The campaign must be implemented urgently. Government must scale up efforts through resource allocation, political action, increased co-operation and more focused partnerships with the law enforcement agencies, media and civil society.

The government should divert more funds for the rehabilitation and re-integration of these girls back into the society. Those who are unable to further their education should be granted the opportunity to acquire various skills so that they can become responsible citizens in the future.

Furthermore, the government should severely deal with the people connected with the dehumanizing practice of recruiting these children for their brothels. They should be totally banned for the good of our future leaders.

This also calls for the spirit of alertness by all to ensure that these children enjoy maximum protection. The duty to that Ghana’s children are not exposed to abuse, stigmatization and psychological trauma is for all of us, each and every adult in this country.

Communities and family members in the position to report such abuses to the relevant authorities are urged to do so without delay to expose such heinous crimes from threatening our nation.

Finally, the society should clamp down on the incessant demands it is making of the youth. The youth should be counselled in their difficult situations and be encouraged to be firm and be content with what they have and not resort to prostitution and other foul means of acquiring money and wealth.

The Commission is therefore not only calling on the police, prosecutors and those public services working directly with children for immediate action but also entreating all persons in Ghana to strive to achieve children’s well being in the areas of health, education, protection from abuse and violence as well as combating HIV/AIDS.

Our children, are after all, the future of our nation.