The Dark Underbelly Of Afghanistan: Sex Trafficking And Brothels

Sex work is illegal in Afghanistan, but it still exists. While there is no explicit mention of brothels, sources indicate that prostitution is prevalent in the country, with some reports of brothels operating in cities and pimps managing prostitutes. In the capital, Kabul, sex workers operate out of friends' houses, coffee shops, and beauty parlours. There are also reports of Chinese prostitutes working in unmarked brothels in residential compounds in upscale neighbourhoods, catering to Western men. The existence of brothels in Afghanistan, while not explicitly stated, can be inferred from the presence of pimps and the clandestine nature of the sex trade in the country.

Prostitution is illegal in Afghanistan

Prior to the Taliban's return to power, sex work was already illegal but was somewhat tolerated by authorities, who could be bribed. Now, under the Taliban's stricter interpretation of Islamic law, prostitution is even more prohibited, and those engaging in extramarital sex risk extrajudicial killing by cultural fundamentalists and Islamists. The Taliban has been reported to be creating a "kill list" to hunt down women involved in prostitution and porn work.

Despite the dangers, several NGOs have reported a rise in prostitution, with estimates of around 11,000 to 12,500 sex workers in the country. Prostitution in Afghanistan is largely a hidden practice, with people operating out of friends' houses, coffee shops, and beauty parlours. Brothels also exist, particularly in cities like Kabul, Mazar-i-Sharif, and Kunduz, where bribes are used to avoid police attention.

Human trafficking is a significant issue in Afghanistan, with women and children being sold and sent to neighbouring countries, especially Pakistan. Afghan women are also trafficked to Pakistan, Iran, and India for sexual exploitation. The trafficking of women is often facilitated by poor border security, allowing criminals to smuggle people across borders with ease.

The criminalization of prostitution in Afghanistan has been criticized for pushing sex work underground, making it more difficult for sex workers to protect themselves and improve their working conditions. The lack of effective social protections and financial safety nets has left many vulnerable Afghans with few options for survival, leading them to turn to prostitution.

Sex workers face double lives and danger

Sex work is illegal in Afghanistan, and those who are caught face a prison sentence. Despite this, prostitution is thriving, driven by poverty, illiteracy, and displacement. Sex workers in Afghanistan face the threat of violence from religious extremists and their own family members, who, according to Afghan tradition, may assassinate them to restore their family's honour.

Sex workers in Afghanistan often lead double lives, keeping their work a secret from friends and family. Zainab, a 20-year-old sex worker in Kabul, told the Guardian that neither her friends nor her family know how she earns an income. She agreed to be interviewed on the condition that no photographs were taken, her last name was not used, and no reference was made to the neighbourhood where she works.

Zainab's story is a common one. Many Afghans are forced into sex work due to a lack of other options. Fatima, a 19-year-old former refugee in Iran, struggled to support her family after returning to her home in northern Afghanistan. She turned to prostitution despite the shame it would bring on her family if they were to find out.

Nasrin, a 24-year-old sex worker in Kunduz, was urged by her mother to take up the work as there was no other way for the family to earn a living. "I really wanted to be a good lady and live with my husband, but now everyone sees me as a prostitute," she said. "My life is spoiled."

The return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan has made the situation even more dangerous for sex workers. Under the Taliban, prostitution is even more strictly prohibited, and those engaging in extramarital sex risk extrajudicial killing by cultural fundamentalists and Islamists. Taliban death squads have reportedly created a "kill list" to hunt down women involved in prostitution or sex work.

The Taliban's strict codes of moral and social conduct prevent most forms of skin-showing for women. For example, the faces of female models on billboards outside beauty parlours have been whitewashed in Kabul, and women have been forced to wear the hijab and move only with a male companion in public.

The Taliban's crackdown on prostitution has also led to the rampant harassment of women of East Asian origin, as many Afghans blame prostitution on immoral Chinese women.

Human trafficking is booming

Afghanistan is facing a large-scale human trafficking crisis, with men, women, and children being subjected to forced labour and prostitution. Trafficking within Afghanistan is more prevalent than transnational trafficking, and the majority of victims are children. The country is a source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking.

Internal Trafficking

Internal trafficking is driven by poverty, drug addiction, and a lack of education. Afghan boys and girls are trafficked within the country and into neighbouring countries such as Iran, Pakistan, and India, as well as Persian Gulf Arab states. They are forced into prostitution, labour in brick kilns and carpet-making factories, and domestic servitude. In some cases, children are used for organ trafficking, and forced begging is also a growing problem. Afghan boys are subjected to forced prostitution and labour in the drug smuggling industry in Pakistan and Iran, while Afghan women and girls are forced into prostitution, arranged and forced marriages, and involuntary domestic servitude in these countries.

Transnational Trafficking

Women and girls from Pakistan, Tajikistan, and possibly Uganda and China are forced into prostitution in Afghanistan. Brothels and prostitution rings are sometimes run by foreigners, with links to larger criminal networks. Tajik women are also believed to be trafficked through Afghanistan to other countries for prostitution, and trafficked Iranian women transit Afghanistan en route to Pakistan.

Factors Contributing to Human Trafficking

One of the major issues contributing to the human trafficking crisis within Afghanistan is the continued practice of bacha bazi, or "dancing boys", in which adult men sexually abuse children. Although technically illegal, the centuries-old custom has persisted, with many government and security officials complicit in its continuation. The trafficking of women and children is also driven by poverty and drug addiction, often within their own families.

Impact of the Taliban

The Taliban's takeover in August 2015 further exacerbated vulnerabilities to trafficking. The group's restrictions on the movement and rights of women and girls, as well as the closure of women's shelters, have increased their risk of trafficking and forced marriage. The Taliban has also been accused of recruiting and using children in combat and non-combat roles, as well as abducting and coercing adult women into forced labour.

Chinese prostitutes in Kabul

Prostitution is illegal in Afghanistan, with punishments ranging from 5 to 15 years of imprisonment. However, it is still practised, often secretly, in the country. In 2008, several news sources reported the presence of Chinese prostitutes in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.

In the years following the fall of the Taliban in 2001, a large number of "Chinese restaurants" opened in Kabul, many of which were fronts for brothels. These establishments were often located in expensive neighbourhoods frequented by foreigners. While the police initially turned a blind eye, a crackdown on these brothels began in 2006, leading to the deportation of Chinese prostitutes and the closure of some establishments.

In 2008, a raid on a brothel in an unmarked residential compound resulted in the arrest of 180 female prostitutes, including 154 foreigners and 26 Afghans. The nationalities of the foreign prostitutes were not disclosed, but many raids took place at Chinese restaurants. The presence of Chinese prostitutes in Kabul was linked to the influx of Westerners following the U.S.-led invasion in 2001. Some of these women were reportedly trafficked into the country under false pretences, such as being promised employment in restaurants.

The Chinese prostitutes in Kabul primarily catered to Western men and wealthy international clients, as Afghans were usually turned away. The women were often smuggled in from China, Iran, Tajikistan, and possibly Uganda, among other places. They faced the risk of deportation if caught, in addition to the dangers posed by religious extremists and family members who strongly condemned prostitution.

The existence of brothels in Kabul, including those run by Chinese prostitutes, highlighted the complex dynamics of a conservative country grappling with poverty, displacement, and the presence of foreign influences.

The Taliban's impact on sex workers

Sex work in Afghanistan is illegal and punishable by law, with sentences ranging from five to fifteen years of imprisonment. The country is deeply religious and conservative, and sex outside of marriage is considered a serious crime. Despite the dangers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have reported a rise in prostitution, driven by poverty and displacement.

The Taliban's interpretation of Sharia law, an ultra-harsh Islamic code, has resulted in the denial of basic human rights for women and girls, including access to education and employment. Women have been forced to cover their faces and are only permitted to move in public with a male companion (mahram). These restrictions have made it difficult for sex workers to conduct their business, and they have had to resort to secret and unsafe methods, such as using taxis to meet clients, which puts them at further risk of violence and exploitation.

The Taliban has also been accused of using hudud punishments, which are corporal punishments for perceived moral crimes, including sex outside of marriage. This has made sex workers less likely to report exploitation and more vulnerable to penalization. In addition, the Taliban has continued the practice of bacha bazi, where young boys are exploited for social and sexual entertainment, despite it being officially banned.

The Taliban's regime has exacerbated the vulnerabilities of sex workers, particularly women, in Afghanistan. The group's strict moral codes, violent enforcement, and lack of protection have put sex workers at increased risk of violence, exploitation, and disease.

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