Trafficking in Pakistan

by FARAH EL-SHARIF

He picks up the mascara wand and magically becomes the embodiment of social ailment: of a sexual dysfunction that abuses youthful masculinity in the most inhumane – and what is more, discreet – of ways. In places like Lahore and Peshawar, hundreds of young boys are abused into sexual exploitation every day. It is rather ironic that the general impression (or myth) regarding boys – that of them being tough and able to defend themselves – stands as a barrier towards realizing the vulnerability of the situation for this infact helpless youth. 

While the exploitation of young boys per say is not a new phenomenon, it is indeed an underreported issue and is sadly overlooked as a matter solely related to areas of homosexuality or child sex tourism. Whereas, actually, in certain impoverished societies young boys can be conveniently gullible targets for aggressors when faced with the dilemma of choosing integrity over means for survival. Also, the factor of gender segregation which exists in the cultures examined herein deems a thick blanket for keeping questionable actions under tight wrap. In some areas of Mumbai, transgender activity and voyeurism is often enjoyed behind closed doors. Perhaps it is the forbiddance of the female public presence which triggers both a heterosexual and homosexual lure for young boys: that in keeping with the permitted male only segregation, offenders are thus “excused” of exploiting members of their same sex.

Then again, in most societies – closed, impoverished and segregated or not – exists the infirmity of child abuse. It is the cheapest form of exploitation, as a child’s naïveté is easily taken for granted by psychologically unwell adults. With a creative bedtime story, a treat for a sweet toothed youngster or more bluntly – a material reward to ‘make papa proud’ are just the ingredients to win over a child’s blurred consent. While the intention of predators differs globally, a child’s innocence is universal. 

As there seems to be no or little mandated system for reporting child abuse in places like Pakistan, for example, the responsibility thus falls on society and the media to begin with, to combat the exploitation of children in general and young boys specifically. Although, should the media choose to report certain sensational news items (to which the media today is often more drawn to) concerning the exploitation of young boys, comes the implication that such stories are rare and exceptional. This, of course, is not the case. 

In some “developing” countries’ attempts to become more “developed”, we are often found lost in a sea of (far too complicated) technicality and legislative jargon. Current existing laws to prevent child sex trafficking are often caught up in defining “childhood” before attempting taking any action against suspects. In addition, laws condemning prostitution in Pakistan, for example, make no distinction between adult and child; which thus implies that children caught in an uncompromising situation are the accountable ones and not the conscious culprits. 
 
Granted, it is doubly difficult to approach let alone combat such a sensitive area of human rights violation. The exploitation of boys rapes a supposedly picture-perfect segment of society. But barriers such as social misconceptions, taboo sensitivity and inflexible legislative systems must be torn down to bring back boyish innocence away from perverse destruction. For the universal truth of the innocence of a child; it must be done.

FARAH EL-SHARIF is an editorial intern at Islamica Magazine.