An African Feminist Perspective on the Sex Trade in West Africa: A Case Study Of Ghanaian Women

Abstract

Women who make the choice of commercial sex work do so because patriarchal structures embedded in cultural practices that limit the employment opportunities available to women. These socio-economic and political dynamics stipulated by patriarchy, lead some women into practicing prostitution in various forms. The implications of the sex trade related to the education, employment and political participation as they affect women, is complex and multifaceted. This study examines the international sex trade and, especially, the involvement of Ghanaian women. The study is based on the premise that unless the sex trade is understood from the African feminist's perspective, we will possibly fail to address the serious socioeconomic and socio-political problems of the sex trade in West Africa. The analysis of interviews of the sampling population of Ghanaian prostitutes attests to this. Prostitutes who are trafficked and those who make the choice themselves are victims of the neglect of African women since colonial times through the capitalist transition of their societies. They lack higher level of education and therefore find it difficult to find employment. The study concludes that most prostitutes are not promiscuous or lovers of "plenty sex perse". They rather are victims of a patriarchal society, which limits the advancement of women. The answer to the sex trade problem lies in an understanding of the issues from an African feminist' perspective and the attempt to correct the anomaly.