Dancing Boys Of Afghanistan: Unveiling A Hidden Tradition

In Afghanistan, boys are made to dance in women's clothing at private parties, weddings, and other gatherings. This practice, known as bacha bazi or boy for play, is a form of sexual slavery and child prostitution in which prepubescent and adolescent boys are sold to wealthy or powerful men for entertainment and sexual activities. While the practice is illegal in Afghanistan, it continues to thrive due to weak law enforcement, corruption, and poverty. The boys, often orphans or from poor families, are usually released at the age of 19 but struggle to reintegrate into society due to the stigma attached to their past.

The tradition of bacha bazi ('boy for play')

The tradition of bacha bazi, literally translated as "boy for play", is a form of sexual slavery and child prostitution in which boys as young as nine years old are compelled to dress up as women and dance seductively for older men. The boys are often owned by wealthy and powerful men, who use them for entertainment and sexual activities. The tradition has existed for centuries and was banned under Taliban rule, but it has since resurfaced and is now widespread in Afghanistan, especially in the north of the country and in rural areas.

Bacha bazi dancers are often abused and sexually assaulted by their owners or masters, who can be single or married men. The boys are usually orphans or from very poor families, and they are often rejected by their families. They are deprived of schooling and suffer physical and psychological damage, and the stigma of having been a bacha bazi dancer can be hard to overcome. Once the boys get too old, they are released and allowed to lead a "masculine" lifestyle, but prejudice from traditional religious society makes this difficult in practice.

Efforts to eradicate bacha bazi have largely failed due to government corruption, complicity by law enforcement, and the absence of rule of law. While bacha bazi is illegal under Afghan law, the laws are seldom enforced, especially against powerful offenders. The practice is also fuelled by poverty, with destitute families selling their sons to survive.

The status symbol of owning a boy

In Afghanistan, boys are often forced to dance in women's clothing at private parties, weddings, and other gatherings. This practice, known as "bacha bazi" or "bacha posh," is a form of sexual slavery and child prostitution, where prepubescent and adolescent boys are sold to wealthy or powerful men for entertainment and sexual activities. While the practice is illegal in Afghanistan, it has been a tradition for centuries and continues to thrive due to a lack of enforcement by authorities.

The tradition of owning a boy as a status symbol has several implications. Firstly, it reinforces gender inequality in Afghanistan, where women are typically confined to the home and not allowed to dance in public. By using boys as a form of entertainment and sexual gratification, the practice further entrenches the view of women as second-class citizens. Additionally, the boys themselves suffer irreparable abuse and psychological scars, often facing sexual exploitation and violence. The normalization of bacha bazi also contributes to the cycle of abuse, with former victims becoming perpetrators themselves as they grow up and gain power.

Despite the efforts of some organizations, such as the Independent Human Rights Commission in Kabul, to address the issue, the Afghan government has been criticized for its lack of enforcement of laws protecting children. The complex social and cultural dynamics in Afghanistan, including the strong influence of tribal elders and power brokers, make it challenging to eradicate the practice. However, there are some signs of progress, with the arrest of individuals involved in bacha bazi and the intervention of authorities in specific cases.

The boys' living conditions

The living conditions for boys in Afghanistan are challenging and often marked by economic hardship, limited access to education, and the threat of child labour, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking.

Economic conditions in Afghanistan have deteriorated significantly in recent years, with rising food prices, inconsistent salary payments, and a decline in public sector employment contributing to widespread deprivation. This has had a direct impact on boys, with many households struggling to meet basic food and non-food needs. The situation is particularly dire for boys from impoverished families, who may be forced to seek work or turn to other means to survive.

Education is another area of concern for boys in Afghanistan. While primary school enrolment has increased in rural areas, it has declined in urban areas, especially for boys. This is due in part to economic factors, as older boys drop out of school to seek jobs in a challenging labour market. Additionally, under the interim Taliban administration, secondary schools for girls have been closed, further limiting educational opportunities for both boys and girls.

Boys in Afghanistan also face the threat of child labour and sexual exploitation. The humanitarian crisis and economic downturn have led to an increase in child labour, with boys being recruited for work in various sectors, including construction, agriculture, and mining. They are also vulnerable to human trafficking, with boys travelling unaccompanied being particularly at risk.

One of the most disturbing forms of exploitation is the practice of "bacha bazi," in which prepubescent and adolescent boys are sold to wealthy or powerful men for entertainment and sexual activities. This tradition, which has deep roots in Afghan culture, involves boys dancing in feminine clothing at private parties and is often a form of sexual slavery and child prostitution. While it is illegal under Afghan law, enforcement is lacking, and the practice continues to thrive, with boys suffering abuse and being denied their basic rights.

Overall, the living conditions for boys in Afghanistan are characterised by economic hardship, limited access to education, and the constant threat of exploitation and abuse. The situation has been exacerbated by the country's political and economic crises, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic and drought conditions. While there have been some efforts to address these issues, such as the work of the Independent Human Rights Commission in Kabul, much more needs to be done to protect and improve the lives of boys in Afghanistan.

The boys' treatment after parties

The treatment of boys after parties in Afghanistan is a harrowing one. The practice of bacha bazi, which involves boys being forced to dance for men in feminine clothing, is a form of sexual slavery and child prostitution. The boys, who are often prepubescent, are sold to wealthy or powerful men for entertainment and sexual activities. They are usually released at the age of 19, but the stigma of having lived as a bacha bazi is hard to overcome.

After the parties, the boys are often taken to hotels and sexually abused. They are also sold to the highest bidder or shared for sex. In return, they are given small amounts of money and food. The boys are usually orphans or from very poor families, and their owners or masters can be single or married men. The boys are often abused children whose families have rejected them.

The boys face social stigma and struggle with the psychological effects of their abuse. They are also at risk of gang rape and other forms of violence. The Afghan government is often unable or unwilling to tackle the problem due to a growing insurgent movement and a weak justice system.

In some cases, boys have been able to escape their abusers with the help of journalists, activists, and other concerned individuals. However, the overall situation for boys in Afghanistan remains dire, and the practice of bacha bazi continues to thrive.

The authorities' response

The practice of Bacha Bazi, or "boy for play", is an Afghan tradition that involves young boys performing as dancers at private parties. It is considered a form of sexual slavery and child prostitution, where prepubescent and adolescent boys are sold to wealthy or powerful men for entertainment and sexual activities. While the practice is illegal in Afghanistan, there have been limited efforts by the authorities to clamp down on it.

The Afghan authorities and human rights groups are aware of the issue, but they seem powerless to stop it. The deputy chief of police in Jowzjan province, Muhammad Ibrahim, denied the continued existence of Bacha Bazi in the region, claiming that there have been no cases in the last four to five years. However, Abdulkhabir Uchqun, an MP from northern Afghanistan, contradicted this statement by asserting that the tradition is on the rise in almost every region. He further stated that he had requested local authorities to take action but to no avail. This suggests a lack of willingness or ability to enforce the law and protect the victims.

In one instance, Najibullah Quraishi, an Afghan journalist, went undercover to investigate the Bacha Bazi practice. He discovered that influential men, including former Northern Alliance commanders, were involved in the buying and selling of boys as young as eleven. Despite his efforts to expose the issue, the authorities failed to take significant action. In fact, when Quraishi returned to Afghanistan after the initial investigation, he found that the situation had worsened, with boys continuing to suffer abuse and exploitation.

The Independent Human Rights Commission in Kabul is one of the few organizations that have actively worked to address Bacha Bazi and protect the victims. They acknowledge the prevalence of the practice in many parts of Afghanistan but lack the data to determine the full extent of the problem. Quaraishi, the journalist, emphasizes the need for international pressure on the Kabul administration to take concrete action against the perpetrators. However, the government remains preoccupied with a growing insurgent movement and other pressing issues, allowing the Bacha Bazi business to thrive in the shadows.

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