Prostitution is the act of involving oneself in illicit sexual intercourse or relationship with an opposite sex, either for money making or for pleasure. It is the business or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. Prostitution contributes to the objectification of women and just because someone pays does not erase sexual violence, domestic violence and rape. However, people who pay for sex tend to think that what they do is acceptable.
Akute, a town in Ogun State, southwest Nigeria, has become a colony for commercial sex workers. Like other developed cities and areas, Akute is a beehive of several social activities, particularly in the night. Within the last few years, commercial activities in Akute and neighbouring areas like Alagbole, Ishasi and Ajuwon have been on the rise. One of the first visible results of this development is a considerably growing number of beer parlours, bars and night clubs, and of course, a colony for commercial sex workers.It has been recorded that fun seekers from more popular areas like Ogba, Ojodu/Berger, Agege and Fagba in nearby Lagos patronise Akute fun havens at night although the prostitutes come from those areas too.
It is known that Ben K is one of the hottest fun havens in Akute and environs. The bar operates every day, but like most bars, its patronage increases on weekends, thereby enhancing the surge in patronage, coupled with the fast development of the area and has attracted commercial sex workers, who storm the area in every night . At night, the rival hangouts are colony of commercial sex workers, who create side attractions. For short time rest, the prostitutes charge between N2000 and N3000, but when it gets late in the night, when there are no prospect of getting big customers, it could attract as little as N1000 and N1,500.
For all-night fun, they charge between N4,500 and N5000. They could demand for more depending on their valuation of the customer.Meanwhile, the fee is a sharp contrast to what they charge at Temiogbe Motel, located at Akute Junction. At this local pub, short time rest is for a meagre N500, while all-night fun is between N1000 and N1,500.
Other areas include: Ori Gada in Lafenwa area of Abeokuta, Oju Agbara area, Itoko area, Isolu, Gbagura, Elemere, OkeIlewo, Onikolobo, Adatan, Bode Ijaiye and Kemta on Ajebo road
REASONS WHY CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL LAUCH INTO PROSTITUTION
- Poverty
- Lack of good education
- Unemployment
- Peer pressure
- Laziness and other reasons.
EFFECTS OF PROSTITUION
- Mental and physical health problems which include STD, physical injuries and gynecological problems, depression.
- posttraumatic stress disorder
- Increased likelihood of suicide attempts.
There is this notion that prostitution is as old as the world itself and the increase in prostitution has also led to the increase of sexually transmitted diseases.
However, the emergence of HIV/AIDS and other sexual related diseases have not come into play. According to Global information and education on HIV and AIDS, Nigeria has the second largest HIV epidemic in the world and one of the highest rates of new infection in sub-Saharan Africa. Unprotected heterosexual sex accounts for 80 per cent of new HIV infections in Nigeria, with the majority of remaining HIV infections occurring in key affected populations such as sex workers.