SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION OF BOYS IN SOUTH ASIA A ...

Afghanistan. Traditionally, boys are recruited from poor households and trained from
childhood, reaching the peak of their dance performance and physical desirability at ages 12
to 16, before they reach full pubescence. 98
Today, the keeping of boys and the performance of dancing boys at bacha baazi parties are
most prevalent in the north, as the Taliban have strongly discouraged the practice as ‘un-
Islamic and immoral’ in the areas under their control. Some boys are sexually abused on a
regular basis, some become ‘lovers’ of powerful men and some become exploited in
prostitution during certain periods of their lives for survival. Some ‘kept’ boys receive
monetary compensation, while others receive only food, clothing and shelter. In some cases
their patrons care for them after they reach puberty, providing them with jobs or even
marrying them to female family members. The majority enter typical working class
occupations after puberty. 99
While the institution of bacha baazi has received much media attention, it should be noted
that the number of boys sexually abused through this traditional activity is likely small in
proportion to the more commonplace sexual abuse of ‘ordinary’ boys by ‘ordinary’ men.
Despite legal and religious censure of homosexual behaviour, research indicates that man-boy
sexual relationships are considered neither exceptional nor criminal in the traditional or
modern cultures of Afghanistan and nearby countries. 100
3.1.3 Sexual exploitation in pornography
No data are available on the prevalence of child exploitation in pornography in Afghanistan.
Informal reports indicate that pornographic films brought from Pakistan are available in urban
centres such as Kabul and Kandahar. 101 There are reports of pornographic films being
available to drivers and travellers at rest stops along transportation routes 102 and at some
hotels and private video parlours in towns and cities. 103 There is no evidence of Afghan
children, male or female, being used in the production of pornographic materials.
3.1.4 Other forms of sexual exploitation
3.1.4.1 Prostitution
Research on exploitation in prostitution of boys and girls is lacking. Denial about prostitution
is prevalent in Afghan society. The social cost for victims, including ostracism, abuse and
murder, prevents victims (both children and adults) from reporting the situation, whether it is
98
Lahiri, A., 2008, ‘In Afghanistan’ (report prepared April 2008 by Agniva Lahiri on behalf of PLUS Kolkata
for MTV Europe).
99
Ibid.
100
Save the Children Sweden-Denmark (Slugget, C.), 2003, ‘Mapping of psychosocial support for girls and boys
affected by child sexual abuse in four countries in South and Central Asia’.
101
Phone sex and porn abounds in Afghanistan.
102
International Organization for Migration, 2003, ‘Trafficking in persons: An analysis of Afghanistan’.
103
Save the Children Sweden, South and Central Asia Region, 2007, ‘Mapping Save the Children’s response to
violence against children in South Asia’.
33