Prostitution in Djibouti

Prostitution in Djibouti is illegal[1] but tolerated.[2] UNAIDS estimate there are 2,900 prostitutes in the country.[3] Many work from bars and nightclubs.[2][4] There is a red-light district in Djibouti City.[5]

Due to its strategic position, troops from United States, China, France, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Italy. Russia, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom are stationed in bases in Djibouti.[6] The presence of these troops increase the demand for prostitution.[5][6][4] During an investigation in 2015, it was found almost half of the 775th Engineering Detachment of the Tennessee Army National Guard had used prostitutes whilst stationed in Djibouti.[7]

During World War I, the French set up military brothels for their troops. These continued for the use of the Foreign Legion until 1978.[6]

HIV prevalence amongst sex workers in the country is 12.9%.[8]

  1. ^ "The Legal Status of Prostitution by Country". ChartsBin. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  2. ^ a b Terlingen, Sanne; Kooy, Hannah (26 March 2016). "How the Djibouti Palace Kempinski Hotel facilitates prostitution -". Ayyaantuu News. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  3. ^ "Sex workers: Population size estimate - Number, 2016". www.aidsinfoonline.org. UNAIDS. Archived from the original on 4 June 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  4. ^ a b Egbejule, Eromo (12 February 2018). "Djibouti's Booming Nightlife Scene — Fueled by Foreign Militaries". OZY. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  5. ^ a b Murray, Kieran (14 July 2000). "Legionnaires enjoy Djibouti's red light life". IOL News. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  6. ^ a b c Acheson, Ray. "REMOTE WARFARE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN DJIBOUTI" (PDF). Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  7. ^ Acheson, Ray (2017). "Remote Warfare And Sexual Violence in Djibouti" (PDF). Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. p. 32. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  8. ^ "Djibouti 2016 Country Factsheet". UNAIDS. Retrieved 9 March 2018.