Sunday, 16 October 2011

Women fight against legalization of Prostitution in Nigeria

Nwosu – Juba, Yemi Odiadi, Ngozi Ezeilo, Margaret Ogbanga and Okei-Odumakin
Two months after Halima, a-15year old girl was introduced to sleeping with older men in the town, her lifestyle went a different direction. All the way from Kaduna, she was brought by her sister’s friend to study in Lagos. Right now, she has no reason going back from her new profession.
Just like a child’s play, commercial sex , popularly called prostitution has come to stay in Nigeria. And going by Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who is canvassing for its legalization, it may be possible for prostitution to be legally appreciated.
Those who have been in the hiding may come forth boldly to exploit their potentials while people who have been having second thoughts about the business might be considering the possibility of going into it at all cost.
According Ekweremadu, “We need to regulate prostitution in this country so that if anyone wants to indulge in prostitution, the person should be registered and issued with a licence. If we say we want to stop it, it would be difficult. It is done in other countries; let us regulate it by issuing licence.”
Reacting to his statement, wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola warned the National Assembly not to consider suggestions to legalize prostitution in the country.Many Nigerians have been expressing dismay and disappointment over the Deputy Senate President’s campaign.
It is against this background that Saturday Vanguard sampled the opinions of women activists in Nigeria over the issue of legalizing prostitution .
While some are of the opinion that permitting prostitution in the country is unlawful, others said it would serve as protection and measures for checkmating violation against the right of the woman.
According to Mr.Uche Ezechukwu, legalizing commercial sex is licence to transmitting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Source: Vanguard

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