Poverty and Family Issues Fuel Teenage Sex Work in Mbale

In Mbale City, the fall of darkness on Nkokonjeru Street marks the emergence of vulnerable teenage girls, some as young as 15, seeking clients for commercial sex. These young women, driven by dire circumstances, share stories of economic hardship and fractured family lives.

Many girls report being introduced to sex work by peers who presented it as a quick solution to financial struggles. For some, like ‘Susan’ (not her real name), the difficulty began after her parents’ separation, leaving her in the care of a father who is often absent and unable to provide for basic needs like food.

‘Mariam,’ another teenager, recounts dropping out of school because her parents could not afford the fees. She was later drawn into the trade by older women already involved, who told her there was no point in lamenting her situation when she could earn money herself.

Some even engage in sex work to fund their education or personal expenses, with clients reportedly paying between Shs5,000 and Shs10,000. Local residents express alarm at the growing number of young girls on the streets at night, pointing to a failure in parental responsibility.

Social workers highlight poverty, family disintegration, and peer pressure as primary drivers pushing these girls into prostitution. This exposes them to significant risks, including sexual exploitation, unintended pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections. Experts estimate that over 20 percent of children in Mbale’s urban centers are involved in commercial sex, a practice also noted to be rising among men.

National statistics from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development suggest a worrying trend, with an estimated 7,000 to 12,000 juveniles in Uganda participating in risky commercial sex activities.

https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/poverty-family-breakdown-push-mbale-teenage-girls-into-commercial-sex-work-5497830