The Wrath of Prostitution

THE WRATH OF PROSTITUTION IN OUR SOCIETY


The act of having sexual intercourse in exchange for money has become a talk of the day in our noble society at large. In Nigeria as a case study, about twenty four percent (24%) of the entire population of the youths are into this ugly scenario. And if a drastic measure is not taken by the government or the concerned authority to stop this deadly act, in the next twenty years or thereabouts, about forty eight percent (48%) of our youths would be involved in the practice.

In this edition, our interest does not only lie on those who market their bodies in chalets, but also, on those who parade themselves on the streets, and in any public transport systems they found themselves. So, the edition is concerned with all aspects of prostitution.

About three weeks ago, I was in a luxurious bus heading to Abuja. My closest neighbour happened to be a very pretty young lady, in her early twenties. She clad in a hot mini-skirt and round neck polo. Along the line, I initiated a conversation and she responded accordingly. For over four hours, she remained my sole companion. After some minutes, she dosed off, or pretended sleeping, leaning her head on my shoulder. I tried to readjust her body, but she insisted unknowingly, or knowing. Only God could tell the actual fact. I frowned at the incident. May be, I was enjoying it; who knows? Only God could tell too. But it wasn’t funny at all. I kept reading the magazine I had in my hand, pretending we were playing the same wing. Due to my pretence, everyone around who observed the drama thought we were together I presume. Just a hypothesis; I’m just thinking aloud, because, going by the look on their faces, they weren’t embarrassed by the unending drama. After more two hours, the day ushered us into the long awaited night. This time, my companion loss her control. Her two legs became too distant from each other. Brethren, you wouldn’t believe what I saw with my naked and vulnerable eyes, which introduced an abrupt shock. Believe me, to make it brief, the lady in question wasn’t putting on any underwear. I felt abashed, though I smiled under false pretences. A disgusting moment indeed! You needed to see things for yourselves. At this point, I needed not a prophet to interpret the whole scenario.

The causes of prostitution are enormous that, one cannot easily state the major cause of the blasphemy. It may be caused by an accident or nature, such as, the loss of a job, benefactor, or a breadwinner of a family, unemployment and poverty.

A lady who loses her job or a benefactor may decide to embark on prostitution, out of agony or frustration. This would be considered by her as the only means (medium) to seek for refuge, since it requires no capital or skill. Because, if a certain skill should be acquired prior to embarking on the practice/’business’, a period of apprenticeship would automatically be the basis; and such would take a long duration before income would be ascertained or anticipated. Similar step would also be seen as the only available option by one (a lady) who loses a breadwinner of her family.

A graduate of a certain higher institution who had been in search for a white collar job for a long period of time to no avail, may end-up a prostitute due to loss of optimism. To her, the indulgence in any business that involves capital certainly means that, the years she exhausted in the university/polytechnic or as the case may be, were nothing but a waste.

The female members of a family that experience ardent poverty are not left out in such silly decision since every income generated from the so called business is regarded as profit. Out of vulnerability, they would be left with no other choice than to join the chorus.

On the other hand, many had also fell victim of circumstance due to vulnerability. For over the years, millions of vulnerable ladies had been cajoled into prostitution by various pimps. The pimps disguise themselves to prove to the ignorant ladies that, their intentions are genuine. They would promise to send them abroad, after which they shall be occupied with promising white collar jobs. Out of ignorance, the ladies would dance to their tune. Then, when they have succeeded in sending them abroad, the drumbeat would change.

From my point of view, the above circumstances should not be considered as the major causes of prostitution, rather, apathy should. As an analyst, my long lasted research in the aforementioned scenario has ushered me into my recent point of conclusion. Honestly, laziness is the fundamental cause of prostitution, because, those young ladies ought to had considered involving in a better and decent unskilled labour instead of indulging in prostitution that would do them more harm than good. Of course, there are many unskilled labours that don’t even require any piece of capital or period of apprenticeship. Even, those that were cajoled fell victim due to idleness; because, if they had been occupied with something reasonable no matter how little, there wouldn’t be room for such mockery.

I wish to remind the actors of this rotten act that, the major consequence of such unlawful and indecent indulgence is death. If the major cause of the increase in death rate among the youths in our society is to be taken into consideration by the government or concerned individual(s), it would be revealed that, prostitution is one of the basic answers.

The death of the victims are usually as a result of a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) contracted by them. Some of these STIs are gonorrhea, syphilis, candidiasis, chancrous, genital warts, herpes genitals, herpes virginals, granuloma inguinal, publiclies, lymphogranuloma venenum, Human Immune Virus (HIV), just to mention a few. Inadequate/non treatment of any of the above diseases (infections) could lead to mental disorder, cancer, abnormality of the reproductive organs, or death. The worst of all the infections is HIV which does not have an absolute cure, but could be controlled if discovered on time.

Another avenue through which they lose their lives is ritualism. Many of them had died, and their corpses were nowhere to be found by their relations. While, some were found dead with some parts of their bodies missing, because, they passed a night with cultists or men hired by them.

The concerned authority ought to consider this deadly trend that would culminate to an alarming level of death rate and as well drastically reduce the number of available labour force in any society that’s involved, in the nearest future. The issue of the eradication of this blasphemous act should be the basis of their interest. The authority in collaboration with various Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other concerned groups/individuals should, from time to time organize seminars and workshops to enlighten and empower the youths respectively.

Also, messages should be properly disseminated to apt quarters, to inform them that, such act would not only end their lives, but as well, would tarnish the image/reputation of their respective lineages. ‘A stitch in time saves nine!’

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FDN NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com