Statement on the Sexual Exploitation of Women and Minors in Donholm, Nairobi
21st April 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya (GALCK) along with the Kenya Sex Workers Alliance of Kenya (KESWA) have been watching with interest a developing story brought to light by KTN’s Timothy Otieno in the feature ‘Sex in The City’ aired on the 11th of April 2017. The story highlights the alleged exploitation of young women and other girls including two minors in a “brothel” in Donholm. According to the feature, these young women who, by the alleged brothel owners’ own admission, do not identify as lesbian, are compelled to perform same sex acts for the benefit of online customers. GALCK and KESWA feel that the real issue of concern is the alleged sexual exploitation of these young women who are forced into sex acts as well as the alleged exploitation of minors.
Neither GALCK nor KESWA endorse the exploitation of any persons in Kenya for sex or otherwise. Both GALCK and KESWA are advocating for swift investigations by relevant authorities, and for all found complicit in any form of sexual exploitation to face the full extent of the law.
GALCK would like to clarify that Sexual orientation gender identity and expression are integral to one’s being and just like ethnicity, race and religions, they should not be used to sensationalize news stories; which we feel has been done in this case.
Neither GALCK nor KESWA were reached for comment. The Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya (GALCK), is a coalition of 16 member organisations working to prevent violence and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. KESWA is an umbrella body of the sex workers led groups and organizations and it exists to strengthen the voices of sex workers and to empower their health and human rights.
Both the SOGIE and Sex workers community universally have their human rights violated in all manners including, but not limited to exposure to violence, barriers to accessing services, resources and justice, arbitrary detention, criminal law and lack of safe spaces. This is in violation of the constitution.
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