Child prostitution in Iraq
Saifa's Story
"I know very well that I have a wrong life style and sometimes I hope to die".
Safia is 16 and a prostitute. Safia was convicted of an honour crime and spent three years in a juvenile prison in Iraq.
"My mother left us and my father, blind and unable to look after me, sent me to an orphanage. In 2003 I was made to leave the orphanage and so returned to my father."
Back in her family home, Safia had to find the means to fend for herself. She became a prostitute. Soon afterwards she was arrested and charged with prostitution. She was jailed for three years.
Now out of prison Safia has returned to prostitution. When asked why she continues such a dangerous occupation, she answered; "I want to live; to feel; to eat: just like other girls.
"Sometimes I hope to die and go up to heaven where there is no hunger, no fear and no bad people".
Naba's Story
Naba is 18 years old. Her father was disabled during the recent conflict. Her mother is in prison, charged with running a brothel from her home.
Naba's mother forced her to "take" a client; a traumatic experience which resulted in an illegitimate child.
Determined to provide for her baby as best she could, Naba took to begging on the streets of Iraq. She continues bears the burden of society's perception of her, which prevents her from building a life for her and her child. Says Naba, "I want to protect and keep my son with me, despite what people say".
"I can't talk to anybody and I can't meet anyone because if people knew who I was they would put me in jail. So it's better for me and my son to keep ourselves away from other people. I will stay with my son for the rest of my life. I want to get money to feed my son and buying medication for him".
Naba buys medicine for her son from pharmacies but she can't take him to the hospital because she doesn't have the required legal documents for him. Desperate to find a way out of her situation, Naba asks; "Now you know everything about my problem can you tell me please is there any solution? Can I be a part of this community?
Mostafa's Story
Mostafa is 14 years old. He is forced to guide clients to a brothel. The brothel is his house, the prostitutes his mother and sister. With no money or support, this is the only solution to survival the family could find.
It's now become part of normal life for Mostafa. He says; I'm used to working in prostitution, to this kind of living. It has become part of my daily life.