In the heart of Mushin, a bustling suburb in Lagos, the streets never sleep. The markets are alive with traders, and the air is thick with the sounds of survival.
For many, hustling is the only way to stay afloat. The harsh reality is simple: there is no food for the lazy. This is where Abike’s story begins.
Faced with the burdens of life and the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings, Abike’s future seemed bleak. That was until her friend Jennifer introduced her to the world of “hookup.” What started as a desperate measure to make ends meet quickly spiraled into a lifestyle that would change Abike’s fate forever. The money came fast, enough to set herself up, but the danger lingered in the shadows. Abike’s story took a darker turn when she was used for money rituals, a tragic fate that is all too familiar in these circles.
Many young girls and university students like Abike turn to hookups as a means of survival. Some, by sheer luck manage to avoid the pitfalls of exploitation and ritualistic practices. Others, however, are not so fortunate. The risks are vast unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and the looming threat of sexually transmitted infections.
Yet, the question remains: why do so many young women feel that they have no other choice?
The link between poverty and prostitution among young females is a web of social and economic complexities.
Economic Desperation: When poverty pushes individuals to the brink, prostitution can appear to be the only viable option to meet basic needs. For girls like Abike, whose families are trapped in poverty, the prospect of quick money from hookups becomes tempting, especially in the absence of other financial opportunities.
Education and Skill Gaps: Limited access to education or vocational training leaves young women with few choices. Without skills or qualifications, they are often locked out of stable and well-paying jobs, making prostitution seem like the only path to financial security.
Toxic Social Environments: For many young females, home is far from a safe haven. Unstable family environments marked by abuse, neglect, or even violence can force them to seek refuge elsewhere. For some, prostitution offers not only money but also a temporary escape from the chaos of their homes.
Lack of Social Safety Nets: In many impoverished communities, social support systems are fragile, if not entirely absent. Young women often face these harsh realities alone, with no guidance or support. In the absence of a safety net, prostitution becomes a means of survival in a world that offers few alternatives.
Exploitation and Vulnerability Where poverty thrives, exploitation follows. Pimps, traffickers, and other predators lurk, ready to take advantage of the desperation of these young girls. Promises of a better life, financial freedom, and security quickly turn into cycles of abuse and exploitation, trapping these girls in an unforgiving industry.
Addressing this issue requires more than just sympathy; it demands action. We must create pathways for education and skill development, provide economic opportunities that uplift these girls from poverty and strengthen social support systems that prevent them from falling through the cracks. Only then can we break the vicious cycle that links poverty to prostitution among young females?
Abike’s story, though tragic, is a call for change—one that should not go unanswered.