Prostitution in Afghanistan

Prostitution is illegal in Afghanistan,^[1] with punishments ranging from 5 to 15 years of imprisonment.^[2] The country is deeply religious and one of the most conservative countries in the world, where sex outside marriage is not only against the law but could lead to serious consequences, even capital punishment.^[3][4]

Paying "..for sex gives [clients] easy access to women that they otherwise would not be able to meet or could only have contact with if they were married -- a costly exercise in itself."^[5]

Despite the dangers, several NGOs have reported a rise in prostitution stemming from poverty.^[6] APMG Health estimated there to be 12,500 prostitutes in the country in 2015.^[7] In 2020 UNAIDS estimated there to be 11,000 prostitutes in Kabul, Herat, Mazar and Jalalabad based on a 2019 survey.^[8] Prior to foreign troops withdrawing from the country, there have been reports of sex trafficking and prostitution involving US troops and contractors.^[9] Specifically women trafficked from China.^[10]

A number of women from China, Iran, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Tajikistan have been trafficked for prostitution into Afghanistan.^[11] Afghan women are also trafficked to Pakistan, Iran and India for sexual exploitation.^[12] Child prostitution in the form of bacha bazi have also been reported in the country.^[11]