(July 24, Addis Ababa)- Unable to withstand the pangs of poverty, some girls in the Ethiopian capital are forced to roam the streets under the cover of darkness in search of money, writes Lee Marete.
The streets of Addis Ababa are deceptively languid by day, the slow pace of life probably a manifestation of Ethiopia’s socialism and the attendant intolerance of capitalistic “rot”.
But come nightfall and the veneer rapidly peels off as avenues and alleyways spring to life, giving raucous life to the motley rows of pubs and taverns.
In the buzz and sudden activity a striking feature is slowly visible: The sheer number of women who line the streets; the clusters most visible at junctions and under street lights — something you also see in Nairobi.
I am later to discover they are sex workers, miserably failing in their attempts to discreetly solicit male clients.
Ethiopia’s picturesque scenery is a story over told, but this is only half the story. King Solomon, no mean connoisseur of beautiful females, is said to have succumbed too easily to the beautiful Makeda — the fabled Queen of Sheba.
Looking at Ethiopian women, it is easy to see why. Their enchanting beauty is often the subject of folklore.
Curious about poverty and prostitution, I set out with the help of a local guide. Our first stop is a darkish tavern tucked off the main artery road to Bole International Airport, which my guide tells me is a popular haunt for ladies of the night. Read more the full story at Daily Monitor »
The streets of Addis Ababa are deceptively languid by day, the slow pace of life probably a manifestation of Ethiopia’s socialism and the attendant intolerance of capitalistic “rot”.
But come nightfall and the veneer rapidly peels off as avenues and alleyways spring to life, giving raucous life to the motley rows of pubs and taverns.
In the buzz and sudden activity a striking feature is slowly visible: The sheer number of women who line the streets; the clusters most visible at junctions and under street lights — something you also see in Nairobi.
I am later to discover they are sex workers, miserably failing in their attempts to discreetly solicit male clients.
Ethiopia’s picturesque scenery is a story over told, but this is only half the story. King Solomon, no mean connoisseur of beautiful females, is said to have succumbed too easily to the beautiful Makeda — the fabled Queen of Sheba.
Looking at Ethiopian women, it is easy to see why. Their enchanting beauty is often the subject of folklore.
Curious about poverty and prostitution, I set out with the help of a local guide. Our first stop is a darkish tavern tucked off the main artery road to Bole International Airport, which my guide tells me is a popular haunt for ladies of the night. Read more the full story at Daily Monitor »
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