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Poverty, Hunger Pushing Some Young People in Namibia into Sex Work
October 1, 2024
CategoryAfrica Central
Content TypePackage
LanguageEnglish
Transcript/Script((INTRO))
[[Namibia’s severe drought and high unemployment is pushing some young people into sex work as they struggle to provide for their families amidst widespread food insecurity. Reporter Tracy Tafirenyika has this story from the capital, Windhoek.]]
((VIDEO: Namibian women standing on the streets of Windhoek, dressed in revealing clothes, looking for clients))
((NARRATOR))
At night in the streets of Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, women dressed in revealing clothing can be seen looking for clients in search of sexual services.
This 28-year-old is one of them. She says feeding her children is nearly impossible without turning to sex work. She charges as little as $1, and if clients can’t pay enough, she says she requests food as part of the deal. She’s requested to hide her identity because of the stigma and mistreatment women like her face in society.
((VIDEO: Sex workers standing in the street; Maria Indongo (not her real name) standing at her home in a revealing outfit. Sex worker sitting at her home))
((Sex Worker)) ((Female, in English))
“l should buy school things and clothes for my kids, and some of the kids’ father[s], they don't support the kids anymore. l don't have a job or a boyfriend. So, that is why l go in the streets and sell my body in exchange for money. It is not easy to do sex work, but l do not have a choice.
((VIDEO: Norman Tjombe in his office))
((NARRATOR))
Sex work is common in Namibia, but it’s illegal to solicit, procure, or operate a brothel. Despite this, human rights lawyer Norman Tjombe says many sex workers face challenges, ranging from violence and discrimination to serious human rights violations.
((Norman Tjombe, Human Rights Lawyer)) ((Male, in English))
“It is unfortunately a very terrible situation that the young people find themselves in, to sell their bodies to make ends meet ... and that is really defying and an insult to the human rights of these people.”
((VIDEO: Deyonce Naris standing at the workplace))
((NARRATOR))
Deyonce Naris is an activist advocating for sex workers. She says sex work has become a means of survival rather than a choice.
((Deyonce Naris, Activist)) ((Female, in English))
“A lot of them are doing it in order to put bread on their table, to pay for tuition, to be able to pay for textbooks.”
((NARRATOR))
Namibia’s Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare’s spokesperson Lukas Haufiku says that the ministry is working to help sex workers provide for their families through entrepreneurship programs and basic aid grants partnering with organizations like the U.N.
((VIDEO: Lukas Haufiku, sitting on a chair in his office))
((Lukas Haufiku, Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare Spokesperson)) ((Male, in English))
“Women are empowered to skill development and provided equipment such as tailoring, crust making, bead making, weaving.”
((NARRATOR))
Initiatives like that are important for sex workers like the 28-year-old who says she has been out of work for seven to eight years. But the stigma stings more, she says.
((Sex Worker)) ((Female, in English))
“We are bad because we are standing and selling our bodies in the streets. Even the people that come to buy us nowadays, they give us words.”
((NARRATOR))
And even with harsh words, she hopes a little support can go a long way so she can provide her children with a better life.
((Tracy Tafirenyika, VOA Africa, Windhoek, Namibia.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
