looking for cheap sex. Child prostitution in Ethiopia

Ethiopia, 85 million people, almost half of its population is under 14 years of age.

Ethiopia, 85 million people, almost half of its population is under 14 years of age. In rural and urban areas, children often begin working at 5 years. Poverty, death of one or both parents, child trafficking, forced early marriage are key factors that push children into work, above all young girls to be involved in commercial sex work. Around 90,000 children were found to be working in prostitution, over 50% started engaging in prostitution below 16 years of age. Child prostitution in Ethiopia is increasing incredibly during the last 5 years. Sex exploitation has devastating consequences for minors: physical and psychological trauma, HIV, diseases, drug addiction (qat abuse), unwanted pregnancy. A body is sold at a price of between 10 and 60 birr (0.40 - 2.40 €). The belief is the young girls are HIV free.

"To protect the identities of the recorded subjects names are omitted"

© Achille Piotrowicz - Image from the looking for cheap sex. Child prostitution in Ethiopia photography project
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A group of street girls sitting in a small cemetery, outskirts of Addis Ababa. Numerous children migrate from rural areas in order to escape poverty, limited educational and job opportunities. In the capital city, Addis Ababa, the number of children victimised in commercial sexual exploitation is increasing at an alarming rate. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 28-02-2012

© Achille Piotrowicz - Image from the looking for cheap sex. Child prostitution in Ethiopia photography project
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A boy, customer of 20 years old, and two young prostitute, age 16 and 17, before having sex, in Abnet, one of the red light districts of the city. A body is sold at a price of between 10 and 60 birr (0.40 - 2.40 €), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 30-01-2013

© Achille Piotrowicz - Image from the looking for cheap sex. Child prostitution in Ethiopia photography project
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A 15 years old pregnant prostitute. In the capital city, Addis Ababa, the number of girls under 18 years old victimised in commercial sexual exploitation is increasing at an alarming rate. This kind of life has devastating consequences for minors: physical and psychological trauma, HIV, disease, unwanted pregnancy. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 04-01-2013

© Achille Piotrowicz - Image from the looking for cheap sex. Child prostitution in Ethiopia photography project
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Condoms, each box contains approximately 150 units, the cost varies between 35 birr and 100 birr (1.4 - 4 €). Many young prostitutes are able to obtain them in HIV prevention centers completely free of charge. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 05--03-2013

© Achille Piotrowicz - Image from the looking for cheap sex. Child prostitution in Ethiopia photography project
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A 17 years old prostitute in her hovel in Abnet. In side areas girls pay about 100 birr (4 €) to rent a small place, to be used for sex work. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 20-12-2012

© Achille Piotrowicz - A prostitute of 15 years old throws a used condom. Mercato neighborhood, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 07-03-2013
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A prostitute of 15 years old throws a used condom. Mercato neighborhood, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 07-03-2013

© Achille Piotrowicz - Image from the looking for cheap sex. Child prostitution in Ethiopia photography project
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Atobis Tera neighborhood. Group of girls stand on the street to pick up customers. An increasing number of prostitutes grows in the capital, there are several reasons, poverty but also peer pressure. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 08-03-2013

© Achille Piotrowicz - Image from the looking for cheap sex. Child prostitution in Ethiopia photography project
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Two prostitutes, aged 15 and 14 years (left, right), finishe to put their make up on in the private room before start working. Some young girls engage in commercial sex work in rented houses or beds. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 09-01-2012

© Achille Piotrowicz - Image from the looking for cheap sex. Child prostitution in Ethiopia photography project
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A 15 year old girl shows a caesarean section after giving birth to a child, had as a result of an abuse of sex with a client. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 09-03-2013

© Achille Piotrowicz - Image from the looking for cheap sex. Child prostitution in Ethiopia photography project
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Young prostitutes, aged 14 and 16 years, are getting ready to go to work in bars and night clubs. During the day sharing a hovel to sleep at night rent beds for clients. Prices for renting are almost 60-70 birr per day (2.40 - 2.50 €) Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 17-12-2012

© Achille Piotrowicz - Image from the looking for cheap sex. Child prostitution in Ethiopia photography project
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A group of street girls stand on the main road in Atobis Tera (bus station). Some children engage in commercial sex simply stand on street corners waiting for men to pick them up. Poverty, death of one or both parents, child trafficking, drop out from school and lack of awareness about the consequence of being engaged in prostitution are key factors that push young girls to be involved in commercial sex work. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 19-01-2012

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