Table of Contents
About the Author(s)
Fatima Riaz is a high school student who wants to change the evils of our society through her writing.
Introduction:
Pakistan being called the “Islamic republic of Pakistan, having Islamic law and sharia, along with poverty, unemployment and health care crisis, is also suffering from child trafficking or Bacha-bazi, which is a major problem it is facing in today’s age.
Bacha-bazi:
Pakistan is a country having a majority of youth, where there are around 8.5 million labor and out of which no one is sure how many of them are forced into slavery, especially sex slavery.
Bacha-bazi is a modern day slavery in which children especially boys between the age 9-15 are being manipulated. It involves exploitation of young boys who are often forced to dress as females, and are made to dance for older men in gatherings for entertainment purposes.
Boys who work in small hotels (dhaba etc) or bus stations are being exploited by the traffickers who are commonly bus drivers, these boys are oftentimes kept by powerful men, called as ‘bacha bereesh’ or ‘boy without a beard’, bacha-bazi is very common in Peshawar and KPK.
Historical background
The term bacha-bazi refers to “boy play”, for entertainment as well as for sexual purposes. Bacha-bazi has its roots in Central and South Asia, particularly in Afghanistan.
Historically, bacha-bazi has its root from ancient culture but became more prevalent during the 19th and the 20th century in Afghanistan, as it became a cultural norm.
Under the constitution of Pakistan
The Pakistan constitution forbids child slavery, trafficking, child labor, children abuse etc.
- The constitution of Pakistan, under article 11, prohibits slavery and forced labor.
- The employment of children act 1991, this act prescribes age limit of children i.e minimum 14 years
- The prevention of trafficking in person’s act 2018 etc.
- Bonded labor system act 1992 (abolition)
Bonded labor system or abolition act. Abolition in general means any kind of forced labor, the children suffering from bacha-bazi are often forced to do sex slavery. The children are often paid 200-500 Rs for each episode of slavery.
Here it is to be noted that bacha-bazi is not just some work/labor but is sexual in nature.
Psychology behind child manipulation
The psychology behind child manipulation involves various complex factors, it has its stem from many factors as power dynamics, cultural norms, past trauma and victims who themselves have suffered any abuse in their childhood.
- Power Dynamics
Power dynamics refers to the imbalance of power between the perpetrators typically, the older and wealthier men and the young boys, who often come from unprivileged backgrounds.
The perpetrators have often experienced abuse themselves, leading to a cycle of abuse, dominance, manipulation and control.
- Cultural Normalization
Cultural normalization refers to any action that has become a norm in any society. Certain cultures and traditions may have perpetuated and have normalized this practice, making it difficult to eradicate this taboo.
When a harmful practice becomes normal in a society, it is often difficult to even address it due to social acceptance which leads to nothing but injustice.
Effects
The effect of child abuse is very dangerous, the children suffering from child slavery are often afghan refugees, orphan or have no financial support, or are below the poverty line, are being manipulated and are being used.
- The children suffer from extreme mental health conditions that lasts forever with them, like depression, anxiety and fear.
- The children also suffer from emotional damage, they often find it hard to trust, work and perform normal functions like any teenager.
Initiative to take
The government of Pakistan has provided directions and suggested laws, but they’re not enough.
- The children should be given sex education, should be told about good touch and bad touch.
- The children should be given appropriate work that should suit their age.
- Proper schools and institutions should be made for orphans, and others to ensure their education and provide them skills.
- Strict action should be taken against the criminals.
- The government should have a strict check and balance system.
Conclusion
Bacha-bazi is damaging our society in ways one can not even imagine, it leaves a long trauma on the victim’s mind, making them and the society weak, as it is rightly said:
“A weak man creates a weak society.”