In the Kinondoni district of Dar es Salaam city in Tanzania, a significant number of men have taken to the streets in strong opposition to the government’s decision to close down brothels frequented by sex workers.
These men argue that the government made an error in shutting down these establishments, as they view their visits as a matter of personal choice, free from any coercion. They maintain that they do not engage in criminal activities such as theft during their visits to these venues.
Some individuals contend that these brothels offer a means of satisfying their desires, and the closure of these places could potentially lead to more serious issues, including the concern that some might resort to sexual assault.
One man expressed his concerns, saying, “What will happen now? In the end, you might be surprised, we might resort to rape, or not, sir. Because at the end of the day, you might find us doing something bad. We are looking for money; we go there, spend our money, and we are satisfied. It’s not like we are capturing them or anything; it’s our money, we spend it, and we are content.” He also emphasized that the idea of marriage as a means to avoid adultery is not applicable to their situation.
Another protester added, “People are advised to get married, yes, I might have a wife at home, but because of how we men are, I can leave my wife at home and go have fun elsewhere.” He further explained, “We complain because we, the outsiders or let’s say those without wives, these women are our stress relievers so that we don’t succumb to external temptations to rape women or anyone. If you pay your two or three thousand, you release your stress, and life goes on.”
This controversy unfolded shortly after the Regional Commissioner of the Pwani region in Tanzania, Albert Chalamila, convened a meeting with district leaders in the region. During the meeting, they collectively agreed to implement measures aimed at restoring order to the city.
Chalamila announced that all massage parlors and venues where women engage in provocative dancing would be prohibited, starting from this week. He cited this move as a means to reinstate ethical values in a society that he believed had deviated from them.
