Occupational Medicine & Health Affairs
Open Access

Abstract

Sex work or prostitution is the exchange of sexual services, performances or products for material or financial compensation. Prostitution has taken a new dimension with modernization and the breaking down of all norms guiding marriage. The downtrodden in the recent economy has warranted an endless search for greener pastures. Young girls have been reported trading their life treasures for money. Trafficking women and children recently emerged as a global issue. Human trafficking is largely a form of slavery. Nigeria is a country of origin, transit and destination for human trafficking. This paper attempts to articulate the vulnerability of the victims of sex work and female trafficking, the health consequences and the Nigeria legal instruments to curb the menace. Sex workers and trafficking victims are exposed to unprotected sexual intercourse with multiple partners. They are also hired for pornography and bestiality. These experiences make them vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like HIV/AIDS inclusive other female reproductive health challenges. The Nigeria laws, local and international agencies make efforts to curb sex work and trafficking. Fighting sex work and trafficking in Nigeria is all encompassing because it requires synergy of efforts to create public awareness of the crime, address the poverty situation in the country, create employment for the youths, reinforce relevant national laws, organize counseling, rehabilitation and reintegration program for the victims and allow them to access government subsidized services for HIV/AIDS and other female reproductive health care programs.

Biography

Email: eunnynwoks@yahoo.com