Silent prostitution: a growing phenomenon in West African capitals
In the major cities of West Africa, a discreet but rapidly expanding phenomenon is worrying observers: silent prostitution. This term refers to a form of prostitution where exchanges between clients and sex workers take place without explicit communication, often via looks, gestures or online applications. Unlike traditional prostitution, which is manifested by direct solicitations in the street or in certain establishments, this new form of sex work operates in the shadows, making its regulation and monitoring particularly complex.
West African capitals such as Dakar, Abidjan, Bamako and Accra are experiencing a resurgence of this practice. It occurs in hotels, bars, upscale restaurants and especially on social networks and dating applications. Young women, often well-dressed and integrated into respectable social circles, wait to be “spotted” by potential clients, without ever verbalizing their activity. Transactions are carried out in complete discretion, thus escaping the controls and stereotypes associated with traditional prostitution.
The rise of silent prostitution is largely linked to the evolution of technologies and the rise of social networks. WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and dating apps like Tinder have become platforms where arrangements are concluded discreetly. This digitalization of the sex trade makes it possible to avoid the risk of arrest by law enforcement and to preserve a certain social image.
The root causes of the phenomenon
This expansion can be explained by several socio-economic and cultural factors:
-Economic insecurity: With a high unemployment rate among young graduates and galloping inflation, many young women are turning to silent prostitution as a means of subsistence. Easy and fast money attracts those who are struggling to make ends meet.
-The influence of social media and materialism: The luxurious lifestyle displayed on Instagram and TikTok puts pressure on young girls, who seek to follow the trend by treating themselves to trips, branded clothes and expensive gadgets. Many see silent prostitution as a shortcut to this lifestyle.
-Social hypocrisy: In many West African societies, prostitution is morally condemned, but it is paradoxically tolerated in disguised forms. As long as the act is not explicitly mentioned, it is often ignored by society.
– Anonymity and discretion: Unlike street prostitution, which exposes sex workers to risks of violence, arrest or stigmatization, silent prostitution allows for greater security and protection of identity.
The development of this form of prostitution poses several social and health problems. The lack of a regulatory framework exposes young women to abuse, violence and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In addition, anonymity complicates the implementation of prevention and support policies for those who wish to leave it.
From a societal point of view, this normalization of hidden prostitution contributes to reinforcing gender inequalities and economic domination. It also fuels a sex market where women are perceived as commodities accessible to the wealthiest.
Given the scale of the phenomenon, it is urgent to break the silence and open the debate. Governments and civil society organizations must raise awareness of the dangers of this practice and put in place support mechanisms for vulnerable young people. Education, the promotion of women’s economic empowerment and stricter supervision of digital platforms are all ways to stem this worrying trend.
In conclusion, silent prostitution is a mirror of the social and economic changes that are sweeping through West Africa. As long as it remains taboo, it will continue to thrive in the shadows, exposing thousands of young women to precarious and dangerous realities. It is therefore imperative to talk about it, to act and to propose viable alternatives for those who see it as a last resort.