Pic: Nigerian prostitute, Patoo Abraham, leads protest for sex workers' rights in Lagos | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

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Monday 4 August 2014

Pic: Nigerian prostitute, Patoo Abraham, leads protest for sex workers' rights in Lagos

Pictured above is a proud Nigerian prostitute named Patoo Abraham who led a protest for sex workers' rights in Lagos recently. Found the report on Al Jazeera. Read and be amazed...:-)
Patoo Abraham has become famous for fighting for the rights of prostitutes, but what she - and those she is trying to help - do to make a living is illegal and frowned upon by many in the country.  
Abraham is not only proud of her profession but is also campaigning to ensure that prostitution is legalised and that sex workers are respected in Africa's most populous country. 
The 48-year-old has led a couple of protests in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital, demanding the rights of prostitutes in a country where sex vendors suffer physical harm at the hands of their punters. Continue...
Under the auspices of different organisations, scores of prostitutes marched on the streets of Lagos, chanting provocative slogans.

This boldness is unprecedented, and the protesters carried their signature red umbrellas and T-shirts with the inscription "Sex work is work, we need our rights."

"We are tired of dying in silence," Abraham, who heads the Nigerian chapter of African Sex Workers Alliance (ASWA), told Al Jazeera. "We want to be able to practise our profession with pride like every other person. We want an end to name-calling and stigmatisation. We are sex workers and not asawo [a Yoruba derogatory name for prostitutes]."

Sex work, said Abraham, is normal work and that there are "sex workers everywhere under one form of disguise or the other". "[The] government should stop criminalising our work," said the woman who is also the president of the Women of Power Initiative (WOPI), a non-governmental organisation established to advance the cause of sex work in Nigeria.

Although Nigeria has posted impressive economic growth, overtaking South Africa to become Africa's largest economy, unemployment remains widespread and many Nigerian women have ended up working as prostitutes in part because they cannot find work.

Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said in April that no fewer than 5.3 million youths are jobless, and the World Bank last year put the number of Nigerians living in destitution at 100 million.

Sister's advice 
With large earrings and a face flamboyantly made up, Abraham sat in her busy office, which she shares with another organisation, and told Al Jazeera how she took the advice of her sister, a former prostitute, when life as a single parent became too tough for her.
Though reluctant then, she now sees it as any other business and has no regrets.
 "Just as you are proud of your profession, that is how I am proud of mine. Just as you are respected for being a journalist, that is how I want to be respected," said Abraham.

Abraham uses the pseudonym "Patoo" in her daily work - a name she chose to hide her identity when she began work as a prostitute.

She said her two children - a son and a daughter - are at university and she pays tuition fees for them. They do not know her occupation, she said, although she marched on the streets of Lagos for all to see.

In this oil-rich country of more than 160 million people ravaged by poverty and deprivation, Abraham's work seems lucrative. But Abraham and other women in this business still have the authorities and people to contend with.

One of the prostitutes who identified herself only as Janet, spoke of how police arrest them indiscriminately, raiding their brothel even when they are with their clients.
"Sometimes, after reluctantly paying for our services, they arrest us and take us to the [police] station and ask us to bail ourselves with the same amount they paid us, thereby recovering their money," Janet said in pidgin English.
"Some of us sustain serious injuries when our customers beat us up and there is no one to protect us," she added.

Other women raise even more serious complaints. Outspoken and HIV-positive, 35-year-old Ayide, the only name she gave in order to be quoted, attended one of the rallies and said it is not only the police to blame.
"When we talk about police, we are pointing accusing fingers at only one group. The fact is that all the uniformed men, especially the mobile police [paramilitary arm of the police], are oppressing us. They use their uniform to harass us. They extort money from us, beat us and rape us," she said.
Abraham corroborated the claims of Janet and Ayide, saying that people who stigmatised them and the security agents who harassed them were a serious problem.
"People call us names but the funny thing is that they don't even know if their wives, sisters or daughters are one of us," she said in-between laughter.
"If I don't tell you that I am a sex worker, you won’t know unless you see me here. Most of us are working as nurses in big hospitals, some are bankers and even students, but you won’t know."

Raids on brothels
Philip Eze, the police officer in charge of Elere Police Division, Lagos, explained that the police would not arrest prostitutes were it not for the country's criminal code outlawing prostitution.
"In the Nigerian criminal code, if somebody is soliciting for men, it is against the law and vice versa. The law does not cause confusions; we are the ones causing confusion in the name of the law. I don't care if they have a world association, it is illegal in Nigeria and their assembly is illegal too," Eze said.
Responding to allegations of extortion, sexual harassment, and rape by police, Eze said victims should report such cases and the offenders would be prosecuted.
"Even though they are prostitutes, they have every right to report rape and other human right abuses," he told Al Jazeera.
Meanwhile, the fight between prostitutes and the authorities continue.
Police occasionally raid brothels in Lagos and make sweeping arrests in red light areas like Kofo Abayomi, Victoria Island, Isaac John Street, and Allen Avenue.
Some of the lucky prostitutes end up in police cells where they are interrogated and eventually released on bail. Others end up serving jail terms of three to four months without an option of paying a fine after being charged for loitering, public indecency or disorderly conduct or engaging in acts inimical to the public good.
To stage the protest to mark the International Sex Workers Rights Day 2014 without a clash with the authorities, the prostitutes outsmarted the police, obtaining a permit under the auspices of WOPI.
They took their demands to the authorities at Shomolu Local Government, Lagos, where they were advised that legislators held the key to their demand.
Previous attempts by lawmakers to have prostitution legalised were unsuccessful.
In 2011, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the Deputy Senate President of Nigeria, called for the complete legalisation of prostitution, saying this would enable the government to regulate the activities of prostitutes. The move sparked widespread criticism across the country and Ekweremadu later regretted his comment.

But Margaret Onah, the founder of Safe Haven Development Initiative and WOPI, who has campaigned for the rights of prostitutes, said she is still planning to take protests to the national assembly, and push for legislation that will decriminalise sex work and empower women.
"Nigerian law does not specifically say anything against prostitution," Onah said.

"What it says is that if a girl is caught openly soliciting for sex, and money is being exchanged, she should be arrested. But we know that if a girl is staying in a brothel, and is a sex worker, the brothel is more or less like her home"

120 comments:

Anonymous said...

keep the flag flying....

Anonymous said...

wonders..
ukwenyaemmanuel@gmail.com

Unknown said...

All work no be work.....

Unknown said...

Dis Old woman u better go and rest. At 48 and u have noting to show for. We have more important issues to put into consideration than Legalizing prostitution. So uncalled for. I'm out. ***CATCH ME IF U CAN***

Mr Talker said...

Nawaoooo

Anonymous said...

Na wa o.my email is okaforprecious4@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Na only hmmmmmmmmmm I talk pheighty@yahoo.com

Olameedey said...

Na wa o!

Anonymous said...

Odikwa egwu o!
Prostitutes are now proud to be called by the name. Smh

<< LIB Addict >>

chinny said...

Hian!! Ihe neme ooh
Karenzigbs@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

A Fat prostitute has AIDS whenever you see a fat prostitute , know that they have AIDS because, at diagnosis they cant receive treatment yet and they begin to lose weight. Once the count gets to a mid level they start treatment which is design to help them gain a lot of weight to combat fatigue and stigma. They can live this way for 15 years. After that, all fails and they might die of an ilness. This woman has AIDS dont be deceived by her weight.

Anonymous said...

A Fat prostitute has AIDS whenever you see a fat prostitute , know that they have AIDS because, at diagnosis they cant receive treatment yet and they begin to lose weight. Once the count gets to a mid level they start treatment which is design to help them gain a lot of weight to combat fatigue and stigma. They can live this way for 15 years. After that, all fails and they might die of an ilness. This woman has AIDS dont be deceived by her weight.

Bishop Dammy said...

Arrant nonsense. Won't read atall! 1 cor 6:9. BishopDammy#

Anonymous said...

A Fat prostitute has AIDS whenever you see a fat prostitute , know that they have AIDS because, at diagnosis they cant receive treatment yet and they begin to lose weight. Once the count gets to a mid level they start treatment which is design to help them gain a lot of weight to combat fatigue and stigma. They can live this way for 15 years. After that, all fails and they might die of an ilness. This woman has AIDS dont be deceived by her weight.

Anonymous said...

A Fat prostitute has AIDS whenever you see a fat prostitute , know that they have AIDS because, at diagnosis they cant receive treatment yet and they begin to lose weight. Once the count gets to a mid level they start treatment which is design to help them gain a lot of weight to combat fatigue and stigma. They can live this way for 15 years. After that, all fails and they might die of an ilness. This woman has AIDS dont be deceived by her weight.

Anonymous said...

In today's world all kinds of freaks and delinquents that used to hide in shame (LGBT, prostitutes etc) now stand up and demand their rights.

Anyway I agree, these women should not be abused by shameless men who will then rape them. They are people's mothers, daughters and sisters after all.

Kimmy*****

Bishop Dammy said...

My spirit is vexed aiidy! Rom 12:2. BishopDammy#

Anonymous said...

She should come back when she can sell the idea of the profession to her children.

Bonita Bislam said...

This incident brings to mind an incident that happemned in china years ago.when prostitutes went on rampage and organised a protest against victimization of commercial sex workers by the society.about 16mill of them came out and when it was time for elections,they brought out a high ranking prostitute to go for the legislative post.She won and that was how laws in favour of prostitution started.That also brought the attention of Bill Gates to intervene in improving the lives of FSW's.All in a bid to curtail the spread of HIV.Is Nigeria about to experience same?

Anonymous said...

Shameless old woman.....they are things one can do to make ends meet.what of being a nanny? Washing plates in a buka? Greed and demonic possession. Na greed the worry this people....they sure need help.no be only them economic situation dey bite.why can't they come under an association to make sure gutters in Lagos are kept clean? And make the environs there to pay for their service..this is just a lame man excuse to sell their money for cheap money.

Unknown said...

It is well. ... *linda ikeji please unto the next one*

Unknown said...

I'm thrilled bcos those dat make these laws also come for their own shortime wen they have wives at home. Abeg patoo ride on.

Unknown said...

Like seriously? wow!

PAVOUR said...

see their faces. fat tinz. ashowo no be work. that body is d temple of jehoval God. respect it! go and see tomatoes and peppe in the market i beg. pavour@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I cnt imagine dis. LIB Princess! Pretex4luv@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

She wants to be famous, she wan kill everybody for Lagos with ebola and hiv virus abi

Unknown said...

wow.is it ever possible for sex to be legalised

Chikaka said...

Her body is unattractive for her type of work. If she lived abroad she'd have invested in a boob job, tummy tuck, lipo on her bingo wings and vagina tightening!

Anonymous said...

If prostitution is work like any other occupation like she says, then why is she sending her daughter to university? Let her kukuma become a prostitute too na, as it's a job to be proud of. Nonsense this early momo (I live in Canada).

Juliebabe said...

Na wa o, sotei d chop lever come outside d parade themselves. Sex worker

Deuces Reloaded said...

These is Absurd, why should we give you respect for a job that gives people HIV/AIDS and destroys homes? If you said you wanted to sell weed we would have shown respect but sex work is no work.
Who would be proud that their daughter turned prostitute?

Unknown said...

d last time i checked we r still in democrazy era wia dia z freedom of speech nd association abi? so she z entitled to her opinion.

Angie said...

Whatever! ..Whether legalised or not, not my concern.

Al jazeera, always eye witness news; no hearsay, no fear or favor!


* My R1.50c comment *

Unknown said...

what is evil is evil..... though they seek for sympathy citing cases of wives and daughters being part of them secretly.... any one involved in such, should better find a life... Heaven is Real... Hell is Real!!!!!

dr e_cube said...

dis world don finish abeg

Anonymous said...

Ashawo no be work! Onyekababyface@gmail.com

#king said...

Abeg dis woman shld go and sit down..prostitution is bad full stop..if u want to sell ur pussy do so in secret..Dont make noiz abt it......................................#KingOfKings

Jessica law said...

Shameless woman tufiyekwa.

eldoradomuyeh said...

If we men don't patronize them they will look for other means of livelihood,the plain truth is that,as it was in the beginning so it is now.It is the original sin that was committed in the oldest garden in human history.

Rev.Muyeh(eldorado-muyeh)

Unknown said...

I don't like the part of Law enforcement officers taking advantage of these women thou. They can alwez carry out their jobs without imposing their powers on the "powerless" na. This Nigeria sef!

Steveosky 4 Real. said...

Wonders shall never cease to end. Your children do not have any idea what you do for a living! Really ?? Smh.. Ok no problem. Continue !!

tfreezo said...

I agree wit her

Anonymous said...

Dat woman dat looks like my mother's age mate is a sex worker? Wahala dey ooooooooo! Who r her customers pls, wit dat her body? U rilli think ur kids r in d university nd dey dont know wat u do? U r a learner! Dey just chose to give u d blind eye treatment!
Naija as a country wont answer u, we have hypocrites as lawmakers! They use prostitutes in form of cooperate gals/students nd not u guys on d streets!
BTW, me dat haven't had sex b4( Yes! I haven't), if I see dis kind I will just move 4rm erection to retraction into stomach!





#GozManuel Says#

Anonymous said...

END TIMES

Unknown said...

dis is unbelievable...lmao she is not even ashamed to come out... wat is dis world turning into. lord save us oo

Anonymous said...

Rubbish!

Anonymous said...

hmmm endtime e.victor22@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

May God save her soul. lovinganna00@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Dear Madam Abraham Prostitution. Heard of Ebola? The grandfather of HIV and aids joined together hmmm. People who mere touched or exchanged handshakes do contact it. Think of men or women of strange health conditions moaning, sweating, glued together, sometimes kiss etc. It will be instant death.

Unknown said...

Hmmm, I don't think the word“ SHAME” is still exist.
⌣̊┈̥-̶̯͡»̶̥♡thanks ⌣̊┈̥-̶̯͡»̶̥ 

Unknown said...

THERE is nothing i wot see in nigeria, GOD hav mercy on u Madam

comfort said...

Hmmmm stupid fellow

Anonymous said...

Tufiakwa! Uwa nmebi. Endtime tinx....

Unknown said...

Ewwww, disgusting. Why is she fighting for their rights? Prostitution is still illegal in many developed countries, she shouldnt push her luck

Edwin Akwudolu said...

Aunty Linda wetin u want mek I talk for this one other than, See Belle as e be!

APPLE said...

While this is the dirtiest job in the world, it is men that patronize this dirty ladies. Your husbands, uncles, brothers, boyfriends, sons etc. If no client there won't be prostitutes.

Anonymous said...

So Runs girls, the ones that dont stand on the streets now have some more backing lol !!! Its well

Anonymous said...

Ashawo na work o. Port harcourt runs girls na work. Make Nigeria legalize am na. Make nobody come insult me for here o. I know say all you nigerian hypocrites wey your husband no fit zip up, na ashawo dem dey patronize. The husband wey get money, na runs girls dem dey patronize. The thing wey be my conundrum be say, wetin una go do when HIV/AIDS come happen, na so una go dey spread the thing so? Me, I go say, make the govt legalize am. All you women wey your husband no respect himself, na there you go go find am, drag him ear come home. At least, you know where him dey. The thing wey we no go see and hear for Nigeria. But its all over o jare, maybe if they can't get it legalized, they can call it escort service. Those girls dey make money and dem fine well well. I wish say I fit do that job, but the day my mama catch me, na him be the day I go leave earth. I never get the belle reach that level.

Unknown said...

God forbid! Even if I were a quiet secret runs girl, I will never come out to b identified as a prostitute demanding for rights!!! Sex worker ke? Sex wit who?other people s husband isn't it? This fat toad is a joker. We nigerians are nt interested! We hav other more pressing problems!better identify with d ebola struggle n stop dat nonsense ashawo doings! Anumpama!

Fizzichillio said...

Ashawo na ashawo no matter how much protest you do!!


#Fizz

Unknown said...

Dat woman should b ashamed. She already has a special place in hell. Haba #WonderWoman

Unknown said...

devil allover the place!

Okoro said...

Some "Men" dey try sha.

Anonymous said...

Nawa ooo..
Ashawo 1 get right again ?


wasted Generation

Anonymous said...

Nawa ooo..
Ashawo 1 get right again ?


wasted Generation

Anonymous said...

Aside Prostitution been morally wrong, the bible strongly frowns at it. The bible speak strongly against sexual immorality in 1corinthians 5 6 and 7. Our body is the temple of God and we should not defile it. Paul says it is better to be married than to defile your body. God designed sex for husband and wife and not as a Job/work/vocation. Have u ever heard of a husband paying his wife after sleeping with her? The answer is no this is because when married the husband has right over his wife's body and vise versa. So where money is exchanged, it shows you have no right over my body.This clearly shows how the devil manipulates people, twist the fact and paint a well known lie to sound true. Biols

Unknown said...

This is serious ooooooo

Ada said...

Wonders shall never end!! I love their courage shaa but I think 9ja has got better problems than this.

Unknown said...

GOD what's the world turning into.she has a daughter she said,and what example is she setting for her to follow

Irrational_paul said...

"Most of us are working as nurses in big hospitals, some are bankers and even students, but you won’t know". Ok sha... Dis toto ur sharing, dias God o

Unknown said...

Pls all of them should go

Anonymous said...

Mama prostitute r u married? Do u hav kids? Wot of relations? Wat legacy r u tryna lay? U r just a disgrace 4 promoting dis kinda tin. Beckynicks13@gmail.com

Unknown said...

This is so n

Unknown said...

This is so new to me. So unusual

Anonymous said...

But really, who would pay to sleep with someone like this? Gotta be some silly old men. I really hope she doesn't have children cuz she be disgracing them.

Miss Oluwaseun said...

Interesting!

Chop Chop said...

Isn't men their customers and why should the police extort money from them?

Anonymous said...

NIGERIANS ARE HYPOCRITES. Half or you still patronize prostitutes either under the guise of aristos or something else. A why not make it legal? And ensure the safety of all. SIMPLE! Atleast unemployment self can be reduced.

Julie Best said...

Shame on you, you even open your mouth to call your self a mother how I wish those your two university children will see this your so call sex worker protest on social media

Anonymous said...

U r an idiot an imbecile and a sporadic fool...

Anonymous said...

Are you mad? How do you know this isn't how she's funding her daughters college? Why would she want her daughter to go through the same thing if she can pave a better way for her through this? Stop sounding stupid. And HOW DO THEY DEATROY HOMES? Do they come to individual nigerian homes and ask the husbands to patronize them? Or are Nigerian men so thirsty they just see employment opportunities in their pants?

Anonymous said...

Shameless woman if you don't repent of ur evil work ,,,,,, you rote in hell fire forever...

Anonymous said...

In the name of fighting for their rights... Shamelessness... When people loose the sense of sin, the sense of right or wrong is buried. African values have been thrown into the bin a long time ago, and the greatest shame of mankind is for women who are the crown of creation to subject themselves to sub-human level, without pride or dignity.

The world has turned upside down, the people of the darkness are boldly coming out into the light. Things people used to do in the dark in the privacy of their abode is boldly displayed in public glare... why will the devil not come out boldly and claim to be an Angel and protest that he has unlawfully and unjustly be given a bad name by men and women for millennia and now demands to be legalised. Chai... Deris God Oh!

Anonymous said...

This woman is funny with the increased Ebola scare esp in lagos she is still protesting for sex workers. SMH.

Anonymous said...

Sheybi Ebola don land now...Oya nah! make dem continue

purity C said...

Hahaha,she should come and chop knuckle. Onye ara

Anonymous said...

For really ????????????????????????
Whoever or whatever it is that killed shame,dignity and the rest of them & replaced it with China made material in some people's life never see any good thing in it's world.
what happened my country people,Is this the cost of modern technology that was suppose to help make life a little easy for us.may God have mercy on you daughters of Jezebel.

pipifierce said...

Shez mad!!!!

Unknown said...

Some pple lost their sanity from the womb.. smh**



queenreigneth@gmail.com

FADIPE SEGUN said...

ever heard about qnet? no? have you been living under the rocks? we talking about a business that can make you financiially free under 5yrs! it's sagllete@yahoo.com 0r +2348106690640 if you wanna knw abt and be part of it.

Unknown said...

they really need mental rehabilitation.

that girl said...

so wait ehhn Nigeria is finding a way to get better you ,you are looking for a way to useless lives. anyways there is no way your dimwitted campaign will succeed, just go and packwell

Anonymous said...

Exactly! The only argument against prostitution is a moralistic one and Nigerians have no moral right to judge anyone.

Anonymous said...

All those jobs are taken. can you clean gutter?

mystic Sun said...

the sweetness of democracy...FG over 2 u, but first sort out the BH issue and the recent Ebola threat

Anonymous said...

I like this, he spirit of protest. We all walk by prostitutes and treat them like they are outcast meanwhile they contribute to the economy. They are oppressed and illegally taxed by area boys why dont we legalise it and tax them properly. The china prostitute story was Japan not China.

Anonymous said...

She s right they should legalize it and then a lot of people would be so shocked to see the I'd card in thier wives or sisters or daughters bags ,abeg let's stop this hypocrisy.

Oyindamola Tella said...

Orisirisi

Anonymous said...

end time i must say

Anonymous said...

only God knows ow many prick don enta dse old woman youngii toto....Hiann..Sex na occupation

Anonymous said...

Who cares where u live.. You can as well live in second floor in hell fire in Satan condo

Anonymous said...

All work nor be work pls. Its not everything that needs legalization. Please oo before, Boko haram people will ask government to legalize bombing and shooting. There is noting strange in dis world anymore,notting people do dis days surprises me, because the world is getting very close to its expire date. People have known too much(the wrong things)and that is driving them insane. Are ready for d rapture. U must be born again ASAP

Anonymous said...

All work nor be work pls. Its not everything that needs legalization. Please oo before, Boko haram people will ask government to legalize bombing and shooting. There is noting strange in dis world anymore,notting people do dis days surprises me, because the world is getting very close to its expire date. People have known too much(the wrong things)and that is driving them insane. Are ready for d rapture. U must be born again ASAP

Anonymous said...

All work no be work oo. Its just like saying government should legalize armed robbery and terrorism. Most of this brothels this sex workers stays are den for armed robbers,criminal,terrorist,419 guys,ritualist and many evil things goes around there. This world is getting closer to its expirey date. U must be born again.

Anonymous said...

If she is actually proud of wht she does y is she keeping it away frm her children. Mtcheeeew

Anonymous said...

I am amazed by the number of hypocrites here!! Most of the guys here have visited ashi joint or paid for sex and all u girls collecting recharge card and point and kill for sex what do you call that?!!! At least the woman has the guts to stand up for others who are actually being oppressed. If e dey pain u comot eye and don't type rubbish

Anonymous said...

Ahn ahn, you're pained ooo, you never travel out of naija before abi, pele I understand. Na you and all your generation go take up residence in Satan condo. Bad belle.

kif said...

HEY!!! Do not judge, So you will not be Judged!!! Prostitution has been for ages before any of us here on earth were born...

Aymii said...

And her surname is Abraham.........Choi! lol...............Father Abraham up in heaven won't believe his ears!... lol


On 2 the Next!

Anonymous said...

What is the source of this your completely strange analysis???

Anonymous said...

Stop this fakeness!!!

Anonymous said...

Na wa o
May God help us
But so to speak, dis mama no knw God o!

ehiguese.emmanuel@gmail.com said...

dis holes should be ashamed of themselves,protesting their holeship in public,good riddance to bad rubbish.

Anonymous said...

Very Funny. (Linda's Man)

Unknown said...

noway for prostitutes

Unknown said...

end time is here

Anonymous said...

end time

Ch!k@ said...

Anu ofia!
U be ashawo ur pikin no know and u wan legalization. Why u no wan tell ur pikin if u dey do d right thing?

Why not use ur real name if u are doing genuine work.

If ur pikin dey nak guy for ur front, I wonder wetin u go do.

Anonymous said...

Y r dey always fat and ugly?

Anonymous said...

None of u
Ladies are better either.cos as long as u have sex in exchange for money or favour u are a sex worker..

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