Sierra Leone girls, as young as 14, forced to sell body to fund schooling

Freetown, Sierra Leone: In a shocking revelation, a young girl in Sierra Leone confessed that she earns money by working as a prostitute, according to a report in the Daily Mail.

The girl, identified as Aminata, said that she had to sleep with clients at night to fund her schooling.

Schooling in Sierra Leone costs around £40 a year and many find it difficult to fund their education. Aminata said that girls as young as 14 are left with no option other than prostitution to fund their schooling.

In the poorest communities of the African country, some girls choose to sell their bodies in exchange for money while some are preyed on by men who force girls to indulge in sex and in return promise to pay their school fees.

Expressing her grief, Aminata also revealed that in some cases, these girls get pregnant and are abandoned. "I was on the street, I was engaged in child sex work. It was to raise funds to go to school," said Aminata.

Left with no choice, they unwillingly have to enter prostitution to fund themselves and their children.

Five-months pregnant, Aminata, was pushed into prostitution by a random man who promised to feed her and pay her school fees. But, despite having used protection, Aminata got pregnant and was forced to quit school.

Sleeping with one client would get Aminata £3 per day. On a good night, she earned about £9 to £10, but that meant seeing three clients that night.

"I was not feeling good about it, but I had no other option – there was nobody to support me," Aminata said.

Pregnancy as a result of sexual exploitation has forced many young girls out of school. Sierra Leone has witnessed a huge drop in women's education bringing the toll down to 9.5 per cent.