In Monrovia Prostitution Increases – Census Reveals More Women than Men In The Capital

Females dominated the audience at Miss Liberia '09 Monrovia – The streets of Liberia’s capital City, Monrovia are busy during the day with commercial vehicles and mixed sexes but at night women and girls as young as 14 to 20 years dominate as they roam in such of what is commonly known in Monrovia as “customers”. On leading streets such as Carey, Gurley, Center, Broad and Randall, prostitution is conspicuous as girls are seen almost completely naked moving their bodies in a manner that exposes them to attract passing men. In some instances, these young girls some of whom are secondary school students   virtually fight over men who may attempt to call their attention with some saying “come I will not charge you much money, I can spend the whole night with you” and other encouraging words to men seen in their sight. International nongovernmental organizations have reported that the increase in prostitution is due to poverty which has resulted in to many young girls becoming breadwinners for their unemployed parents. Women between the ages of 20 to 40 years are also seen competing with young girls on main streets and in other parts of Monrovia and nowadays some entertainment centers are known for convergence of prostitutes in chase of “customers”. The females’ action might not only be a result of poverty but perhaps the quest to have access to men as ratio of men to women in Monrovia according a recent census shows more men than women. Recent census released by the Liberia Institute for Geo Information Service (LISGIS) shows the poverty rate in Liberia stands at an alarming 68% but according to the report, the poverty rate is mainly focused in about six counties including Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, River cess, Grand Kru, River Gee and Grand Gedeh counties. The census also shows that there are 18,000 more women than men in Monrovia and more women in the four counties that have commercial activities and avenues for employment. There is little over 3,000 (3,282) males over the females nationwide but the females population dominate the male populations in the four counties with the highest populations, while the male hold a slight lead over them in the other counties that fall in the other five counties that come next as far as highly populated counties are concerned. When Planning Economic Affairs Minister Amara Konneh disclosed that 68% of Liberians are living in very extreme conditions which make them to live on less than US$ 1 day as a result of other harsh economic existing situations in the country, it was revealed that Western Liberia and South-Eastern Liberia are the parts that account for what was described as counties whose populations are living in abject poverty. The census which result shows the population of Liberia being focused in five main counties including Montserrado, Nimba, Bong, Lofa and Grand Bassa also shows that the Liberian female population dominates in these counties which are economically rated over others. According to the much-awaited final Census report female population in Montserrado the county with the highest population of 1.1 million people stands at 568,508 while the males are 549,733. This means a massive difference of 18,775. Montserrado County, though one of the smallest counties in Liberia hosts almost 50% of the country’s total population is where the seat of government is situated and other major economic activities, including industrial, commercial among others are concentrated. This means that life is relatively preferred in the Capital and its environs which constitute Montserrado and the inevitable pull factor that continues to have an effect on urbanization will be continually experienced in this region. Therefore, if the female population of this highly economical and highly commercial county constitutes over fifty-five per cent then the writing on the wall is very clear that Liberian females will do anything to be in places where there will be ‘grease’. Whether they themselves are working or involved in business or not, the fact of the matter is they will feel and benefit from the economic breeze that will blow as a result of the commercial and economic nature of the Capital. As one walks around the streets of Monrovia and parts adjacent, the presence, and most often the dominance of females in vitally every market, school, street, work places or simply every gathering or any form of activity. Mawah Sherif, a middle-aged lady who sells in the Waterside Market feels that the women are sensitive to hardship and will therefore vacate places where hardship might just be making its way. “When na man, they can bear any hard time but for us women we can be the first to run away by the time we hear or get to know that hard time is coming. We will go to where hard time is not too much”, she said. Another county where the female population dominates is the northern county of Lofa where the economic situation is said to be better than other counties. This is due to the county being one of the hardest-hit counties during the war; thus, leading to the large influx of many humanitarian and non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) as well as other economical projects to the county.  It is the fourth most populated county which sees the females accounting for over half of the county’s total population. They are in excess of more than 9,000 circulating the difference of 143,253 females and 133,611 males.   Bong County, the third most populous county is another county where the females are more than the males who are in excess of 3,763-though a slight difference. Bong County may not be much economically viable but its central location is very ideal and has in one way or another helped in bringing about an economic sanity.  It is county noted for innovation that has been very instrumental in making it to attract these females apparently. One form of business that might be a major source of livelihood to the County is its very strong commercial motorcycling, otherwise known as ‘pehn-pehn’ which is contributing to the county’s  economy as one lady who preferred not to be named told Front Page Africa during a recent visit there: “Don’t overlook this pehn-pehn business in this county. It is really helping us in Gbarnga here economically. For instance, we who are selling somehow benefit because a pehn-pehn rider’s wife can stand on a spot and buy enough from you that could make your day; not to even mention when they themselves come to your business site” Nimba County in the north-eastern part of the country is the second most populous county which is also noted for its economic or commercial activities. Here again, the final Census shows Liberian females living in larger number than their male counterparts. Out of 462,026 which is the County’s total population, the females are 231,913 while the males are 230,113—a difference of 1,800. Even in the other counties where the male population tops that of the females, there is a slight lead maintained, again, in these counties especially counties with high populations. The fifth most populous county Grand Bassa County, for instance, which has a total of 221,693 persons shows a male population of 110,913 and a female population of 110,780. This means a difference of 133 males. The final results of the census, according to the Planning Minister are within acceptable statistical limits by international standards and revealed that the growth rate of Liberia is 2.1% per annuan.   One could then project that given the little difference of male to female for the overall population and the growth rate of the country,  the population of Liberian females shall in the not too distant future not only surpass the male population but could double in the economic and commercial counties especially as the country seems to be an exception during this economic meltdown as evidenced by the regular signings of  big investment agreements and expressions of interests by other bigger potential investors.  Nat Nyuan-Bayjay can be reached at interlink2004@yahoo.com  or 231-6-402737