Recent news in the Central African Republic highlights a taboo but nevertheless real subject: the prostitution of young girls. In a country already weakened by military-political crises, more and more young girls aged 12 to 16 are turning to prostitution as a means of subsistence. Mostly orphans, they lost their parents during the conflicts and find themselves without support or reference points. This alarming situation is leading to a worrying increase in sexually transmitted diseases among young people, reaching a rate of more than 30% in the capital.
An example illustrating this reality takes place every evening in Tiringoul, a lively district of Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic. As soon as night falls, around twenty young girls gather in this place where prostitution is particularly widespread. Dressed provocatively, they try to attract customers looking for fleeting pleasures. Among them, Achetou, 14, who lost her parents during the crisis and found herself left to her own devices. She explains that prostitution became her livelihood, allowing her to survive. She can sleep with several men in a single day, earning between 15,000 and 40,000 FCFA (around 23 to 61 euros).
Unfortunately, Achetou’s fate is not unique. Most of these young girls share similar stories, convinced that prostitution is their only option to reintegrate into society. But this practice exposes these girls to serious dangers, including sexually transmitted diseases. Gisèle, 13, tested positive for HIV in 2021. Victim of abuse from her mother’s new husband, she decided to flee and sell her body to survive.
Faced with this alarming situation, the Central African Social Marketing Association (Acams) is taking action to try to combat the prostitution of young girls. The Soleil de Centrafrique association offers income-generating activities to help them escape from this dangerous environment. The objective is to support them in social reintegration by offering them opportunities in fields such as sewing, hospitality or craft manufacturing. But it is also essential to work on changing the mentality of these young girls, restoring their self-confidence and making them aware of the risks to which they are exposed.
Despite Central African legislation which equates prostitution of minors with pedophilia, it remains difficult to bring clients to justice. The fight against this scourge therefore requires a global approach, combining strict legislative measures, prevention and reintegration actions, as well as raising awareness among society as a whole.
It is crucial that more attention is paid to this issue in the Central African Republic. The prostitution of young girls should not be ignored or considered a taboo, but rather a real social problem that requires concrete and lasting solutions.