Socio-Economic Effect of Commercial Sex Work in Abuja Suburb: A Survey of Selected Brothels in Mararaba, Nigeria

Abolitionists argue that the commodification of sex denigrates womanhood and therefore condemn every sexual relationship that centers on economic gains. Sex rights workers group however contend that in the face of economic challenges and sexual liberalism, the trade should be regulated rather than abolished. This paper examined commercial sex proliferation in Abuja suburb, categories, as well as the contributions this informal sector performs in the socio-economic development of Abuja which has been necessitated by increased family expectations and high rate of unemployment in Nigeria. The feminist, Marxist, and social strain theories were reviewed and social strain theory which the work was framed on showed that family pressure, unemployment and poverty are the major reasons why women engage in commercial sex work. A total of 181 persons from 5 randomly selected brothels formed the population of the study, of which 100 persons were randomly selected as the sample of the study. In-depth interviews as well as questionnaires were used to sample opinions of respondents and data obtained were analyzed qualitatively. It was found out that commercial sex trade have increased many family incomes and reduced the rate at which sexual crimes may have increased, owing to various categories of services rendered by sex workers. However, respondents expressed worries over stigmatization, police harassment and the Nigerian government’s inability to address their plight as a right group. The study recommends that government should provide job opportunities and skill empowerment for people who are willing to leave the profession and officially legitimize the trade so as to adequately control the sector and integrate it as part of the GDP of the country