The legal status of prostitution in Africa varies widely. It is frequently common in practice, partially driven by the widespread poverty in many sub-Saharan African countries, [ 1 ] and is one of the drivers for the prevalence of AIDS in Africa. In other countries, prostitution may be legal, but brothels are not allowed to operate. In some countries where prostitution is illegal, the law is rarely enforced. Transactional sexual relationships are particularly common in sub-Saharan Africa, where they often involve relationships between older men and younger women or girls.
In many cases, the woman in a transactional sexual relationship may remain faithful to her boyfriend, while he may have multiple sexual partners. In both of these cases, transactional sex presents an increased risk of HIV infection. This page uses the UN system of subregions. Prostitution in Angola is illegal [ 4 ] [ 5 ] and prevalent since the s. Many women engage in prostitution due to poverty. Prostitution in Cameroon is illegal [ 11 ] but tolerated, [ 12 ] especially in urban and tourist areas.
Cameroon attracts sex tourism from the West, especially for child prostitution. Prostitution is legal and common in the Central African Republic. Punishment is a fine and up to one year in prison, or 5 years if the case involves a minor. Human trafficking and Child prostitution is a problem in the country.
Some of the full-time prostitutes visit hotels, bars and nightclubs looking for wealthy clients, especially French men. They are known as "pupulenge" dragonflies or "gba moundjou" look at the white. Those who work in the poorer neighbourhoods are known as "kata". Prostitution in Chad is illegal, [ 4 ] but common, especially in the urban centres and the south of the country. Sex workers are one of the high risk groups. Prostitution in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is legal [ 4 ] but the Congolese penal code punishes pimping, running a bawdy house or brothel, the exploitation of debauchery or prostitution, as well as forced prostitution.
During the colonial era and the years that followed independence, the Ministry of Health issued calling cards identifying professional sex workers and provided them with medical health checks. However, this system was abandoned in the s. Public order laws are sometimes used against sex workers. Prostitution in Equatorial Guinea is illegal. Prostitution in Gabon is illegal. Prostitution in the Republic of the Congo is illegal but commonplace.
