Child Trafficking in Afghanistan

People have heard throughout media that there is children trafficking all around the world, and within Afghanistan there is no difference. In Afghanistan there is a growing practice called bacha bazi where they would exploit young boys. It is a practice that was banned a long time ago, but is slowing reviving back into Afghanistan. Many believe it is casual to do this practice. However, there are many who believe it is wrong. There have been many attempts to stop this practice, but no avail. The practitioners need to realize that this practice is wrong, and that it has to be taken care of.

Bacha bazi translates to “boy play”. It is an ancient practice brought back by “powerful warlords, former military commanders, and wealthy businessmen” (“Introduction”) after it was a banned during the Taliban era. However, it is slowly reviving in the northern areas, and Kabul. A reporter by the name of Quraishi says that this is “a culture where wealthy Afghan men openly exploit some of the poorest, most vulnerable members of their society” (“Introduction”). These rich men will exploit boys, and use them for dancing, and sexual activities. These men strip the boys of their masculine identity by making the boys dress up as women; wearing women clothing, fake breasts, and bells on their ankles. After dressing the boys to their taste they would take the boys to a party, and make them dance for hours. Furthermore, some men actually take the boys to hotels to sexually abuse them (Qobil). The ages of these boys range from 11-19 years old. Most of the boys are thrown out by their prime age of 18, or 19 like Jawad, who is 18, and is about to be released. His owner Assadula explains that once “he starts growing a beard, his time will expire, and I wil...

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... the authorities, and no justice can be done to help the boys. The bacha boys live their lives for these men’s entertainment to help earn necessities for themselves, and their families. Others learn to live as a bacha boy, and create a relationship with these men. Some will continue to unwillingly do it for the money, while others will continue to embrace it, and cooperate willingly. Not only does it affect the boys, it affects women too. The fact that men are not allowed to be seen with women they have to turn to young boys to release their desires. Now women are taken as figures that are for child-bearing, and labor. The people need to stand up against this abuse, and help create awareness that this is a growing problem, and it should be taken care immediately knowing that if nothing is done, bacha bazi will continue to grow, and create a larger problem later on.