Prostitution in Togo

In 2014, it was estimated there were 10,284 sex workers in the country.^[7] A 2011 survey found 51% worked in bars and 26% in brothels.^[8] About half of the country's sex workers are in Lomé.^[8] According to research published in 2015, between 2005 and 2015, prostitution in the country increased 180%,^[2] and that three quarters of the prostitutes are Togolese, and Ghanaian women 15%.^[2] It is not uncommon for prostitutes travel between Togo and neighbouring countries to find work.^[9]

There are reports of brothels^[4] and prostitutes working in various parts of Lomé, including Décor and Kodjoviakopé (near Aflao across the Ghanaian border). The nationalities of the prostitutes include Togolese as well as Nigerians, Liberians, Ghanaians and Ivorian nationals. Many sex workers in the city have regular taxi drivers who run them around and wait while the woman is with a client. Hotel managers may also offer special rates if the sex worker brings clients there regularly.^[10]

In 2017 it was reported that a number of university students were turning to prostitution for financial reasons.^[11]

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries the country formed part of the protectorate of Togoland in the German Empire. Prostitution grew with German colonisation, initially along the coast (especially in Lomé) and then spreading inland as colonisation advanced into the interior.^[12] In Lomé, Aného and Atakpamé, African prostitutes serving only European males were required to live in designated areas known as kasernierung. A brothel was built in Lomé in 1909 to replace the kasernierung area. Initially it housed 40 prostitutes.^[12]

Following the defeat of Germany in World War I and subsequent French control of the country, prostitution continued to flourish. The large number of single, or married men away from home, colonists and troops created the demand for prostitution.^[13] As in other French colonies, military brothels (Bordel militaire de campagne) were set up around where troops were stationed.^[13]

Experts convened by the United Nations found that typically "all the responsibility" of the problems that are faced in the sex industry are usually placed on women. In response to the issues noted by this committee, the government of Togo has declared that July 31 is Women's Day throughout the country.^[14] Additionally, this may have been what encouraged them to enact on some of their new policies, such as actively enforcing laws that protect children against the sex trade. This committee noted that sex was a two-person act and that the men who are typically the demand market for sex workers need to be examined too and held accountable for their actions.^[14]

HIV^[5] and syphilis^[15] are problems in the country. Sex workers and their clients are high risk groups, especially as condom use is inconsistent,^[8] although there are 11 different prevention programmes distributing condoms throughout the country.^[5]

HIV prevalence has dropped amongst sex workers: 29.5% in 2005,^[8] 13.1% in 2011^[8] and 11.7% in 2015.^[16] (National adult HIV prevalence was 2.1% in 2016.)^[5] However, prevalence rates vary across the country; although the average amongst sex workers was 13.1% in 2011, it ranged from 19.5% in Lomé to 7.8% in the Savanes and Kara Regions.^[8]

A study in 2008 noted that as many as 60% of long truck drivers in Togo that were having sexual relations with sex workers were not using a condom during sex. Additionally, around 50% of the truck drivers interviewed stated that they had not been tested for HIV, which is a concerning statistic considering the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases in Togo.^[17]

A study in 2011 found 2.2% of sex workers were infected with syphilis, and 2.3% of clients. This also varied by region with those in Lomé having the highest rate of infection at 3.1%.^[15]

Homosexual men, women, and couples do not receive the same access to the ability to be diagnosed and treated for a potential case of HIV/AIDS that heterosexual couples receive.^[6]