“I would like to offer some input on several of the comments that have been posted about this article. I have never been to Mombasa, nor do I know anything about the sex industry there. I did, however, study abroad in Madagascar and did an independent study project on prostitution on a small island off the northwest coast called Nosy Be. On Nosy Be, roughly 80% of girls/women (ages 12-30ish) prostitute themselves to some degree. The problem is profoundly economic in natural, but is also perpetuated by cultural views towards sex.
The Malagasy (people from Madagascar) on Nosy Be still suffer from the legacy of colonization in that they have very little control over the economy. Businesses are owned by the French or the island’s small Indo-Pakistani population, therefore the Malagasy work every-day jobs, such as in a hotel or as a taxi driver. While such occupations are enough to make a living in the United States, salaries on Nosy Be frequently fall short (I know, I calculated it). Because Nosy Be is an island, and because its beautiful beaches make it a tourist attraction, the cost of living is high for natives there. Prostitution is seen as a solution to such poverty.
One important distinction between prostitution on Nosy Be and the sex workers in Asia is that women are independent sex workers. There are no brothels, there is no elaborate organization, and men are not involved (except as customers). Although I identified three different “classes” of prostitutes on Nosy Be, the average prostitute will make more in a week than a Malagasy man will make in a month, provided it is tourist season. Sex tourism on Nosy Be has rapidly increased in the past 20 years. The majority of customers come from France, Italy, and Germany; there is a direct flight from Milan that comes twice a week. The fact that women can easily make more money than men has had a dramatic impact on this culture that has been, historically, very patriarchal.
Marriage no longer exists on the island (though monogamous relationships do) because men do not want to marry a prostitute, and women are distrusting of men. One practice that I find to be fascinating (and is proof of women’s power on the island) is that prostitutes will often take on a “jombilo” – a Malagasy man they are romantically interested in. This man is paid by the woman to essentially be her boyfriend, however he has duties that he must perform (such as do household chores, etc…think 50’s housewife). Women have more power than men on Nosy Be because prostitution has provided them an avenue to bridge the gap between their poverty and foreigners’ wealth.
I would like to make clear that I am by no means condoning sex tourism, and find it profoundly sad that women must rely on prostitution as a sole means of livable income. It is important to point out, however, that cultural attitudes towards sex is one reason why the government is less involved and less seemingly appalled by the situation. The Malagasy, in general, begin having sex at younger ages than most Americans do (age 13 or 14) and there is no stigma attached to having multiple partners. Sex is not deemed a holy act – it is a part of life that happens sooner or later – and no one is at risk of being labeled a “slut.” American perception of appropriate sexual behavior has been drastically impacted by the Victorian era (whether we like to think so or not) – therefore we see prostitution as an act that is profoundly degrading for women and something that taints a woman’s purity. Some Malagasy share our former views; the vast majority does not share the latter. Again, I am not justifying sex tourism or prostitution to any degree, I am just pointing out that it is important to recognize the cultural context.
I initially did not plan on detailing this much about prostitution in Nosy Be. But I do think it is important to understand a couple takeaway points. First, I believe sex tourism thrives in impoverished places that were previously European colonies because Westerners already have a history in those locations and can navigate the culture that has been influenced by their colonial power (French tourists can speak French in Madagascar). Second, although there are identifiable trends to how prostitution develops, it is different everywhere and is often deeply absorbed into the culture of the people. You cannot throw money at this problem and expect it to go away, and you cannot assume that western nations sweeping in will make even the slightest impact. This might be less true in Asia, where, according to Kristof’s previous articles, young girls are waiting for an opportunity to be freed from torture, however when women voluntarily adopt prostitution as a lifestyle, as they do on Nosy Be, there is no easy fix.”
Emily’s point of view, as posted on a blog of the New York Times.
