Resource: Frontline -- Bacha Bazi

[devilc.livejournal.com]

Bacha Bazi is Afghani for "Boy Play". Basically, orphaned boys, or boys from poor families are suborned into what amounts to a form of slavery, dressed as girls, dance for men, and after the song and dance, are often sold or given for sex.

It was made illegal under the Taliban, is still currently illegal under Afghan law, but, as Frontline shows, there's a thriving underground.

It's a fascinating documentary, and not because it documents child prostitution/sex slavery, but also the extent of the corruption in Afghanistan and the extent to which some of the youths come to think that this is normal, acceptable.

Comments

[caz-in-a-teacup.livejournal.com]

It was shown on More4 as well, and is available in the UK from 4od (http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-dancing-boys-of-afghanistan/4od#3057419).

[isaacsapphire.livejournal.com]

Sounds very interesting. Thanks for the resource.

It's a sign that something's f-ed up when the Taliban and I agree on something.