Sex for Bread in New Afghanistan

"I had no other way but prostitution," the 19-year-old told Reuters on Monday, May 19.

After returning from Iran, Fatima knocked every door in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif in quest for a job, but in vain.

Desperate to sustain her mother, two sisters and young brother, she eventually found no other option but prostitution.

Fatima now roams the streets every day, her face heavily painted with all sorts of make-up, in search for clients.

"I get up early in the morning and wander around the city," she said, dressed in tight blue jeans with a black veil pulled loosely over her head.

"My customers stop me and give me a lift and then we talk about the price."

Fatima is not alone.

According to RAWA, an independent organization of Afghan women, prostitution has become widespread in conservative Afghanistan since the 2001 US ouster of Taliban.

In the northern regions, more and more young women are turning to sex work.

Prostitution is even taking formal root, with brothels operating and pimps managing prostitutes openly in some cities.

Though "fornication" is a charge that carries a penalty of from 5 to 15 years in jail, bribes usually take care of unwanted police attention to the trade.

Inherited

Nasrin, a 24-year-old who lives in the northern city of Qhunduz, says prostitution was the legacy she bequeathed from her mother.

"My father died in the civil war, my mum was a widow and I did not know what she did for work," she explains.

"Later I understood she was a prostitute. One day she encouraged me to have sex with a man who came to our house."

Nasrin is now quite familiar with the world of prostitution, having sex with men for money sometimes several times a night.

"I really wanted to be a good lady and live with my husband, but now everyone sees me as a prostitute," she sobbed.

"My life is spoiled."

Women's rights activists are concerned about the rising tide, and lay the blame squarely with the government.

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