No fewer than 90,000 women are involved in commercial prostitution in Ondo State, a survey carried out by a non-governmental organisation, Multiview Advocacy Network (MANET), has revealed.

The Coordinator of MANET, Jewel Bolade, who gave the figure at a one-day seminar in Akure, on Tuesday described the development as highly alarming.

Mrs. Bolade, whose findings were contained in a report of her research into sex work supply in the state, said the research showed vividly that there were about 100 sex workers in every community in the state and that three percent of the state’s 3.4 million residents are into commercial sex work.

According to the research, a rough projected number of sex workers exceeds 90,000 in Ondo State, excluding street girls and beer parlour waitress who are not fully committed to the trade. “As our research has shown, using Akure, Owo, and Okitipupa as case studies, there are at least, 100 sex workers in every community in the state. This is as a result of the growth of the hospitality business,” she said.

There has been a tremendous increase in the numbers of brothels, hotels, and bar joints in recent times.

Divorces fill the trade

She also said about 45 percent of sex workers interviewed in Owo Local Government were once engaged or married. The research also showed that 80 percent of the sex workers and their customers were non-indigenes of the state. Most of them came from Edo, Delta, Benue, and Akwa Ibom States.

The retired Bishop of Akure (Anglican Communion), Bolanle Gbonigi, who spoke at the occasion, expressed alarm over the rate of corruption in the handling of funds for control of HIV/AIDS by government and non-governmental organisations in the country.

He expressed regret that many people are suffering and dying on daily basis because of the impact of HIV/AIDS in the society and urged churches and christians to support MANET in its quest to assist those affected by the scourge.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5577493-146/90000_prostitutes_in_ondo_state_.csp