Soldiers And Prostitution

In times of war, women usually have to endure great amounts of suffering. According to the German women’s relief organization medica mondiale, this situation doesn’t change when the fighting ends.

"We’ve determined that wherever there are trouble spots, forced prostitution flourishes," spokeswoman Isabella Stock told DW-WORLD.

She also reports of increased trafficking of women, particularly young girls. "And the interaction can most certainly take place with members of aid organizations or soldiers stationed there."

Soldiers need a code of conduct

The Cologne-based organization has been very active in the Balkans since 1993, where forced prostitution and women trafficking are major problems.

Stock says medica mondiale does not have any indications yet of such a development in Afghanistan. "But as in every other country which has seen war and crises, we will see this happening in Afghanistan," she says.

Medica mondiale is demanding that the German defense ministry educate their soldiers on the situation of Afghan women before they are sent off. It is important that they understand how to interact with women in view of the Afghan culture and tradition.

The organization is calling for a mandatory code of conduct. "The soldiers need to be told: this is the way it looks there, and if you have contact with prostitutes, they could be doing so involuntarily," says Stock. Troops also need to be aware of the penalties involved if they are caught with prostitutes, she adds.

"Germany prides itself in helping the women of Afghanistan, and we whole-heartedly agree with these policies," Stock says.

But forced prostitution and trafficking of women are also part of the problems facing women. "And we have to work against the tendency to put them under a taboo."