Concerned women in Wau town of Western Bahr el Ghazal State are raising alarms about the increasing number of underage girls residing in hotels throughout the town.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, several women urged the state government to enact laws that safeguard young girls, particularly those aged between 17 and 18, from entering hotels unaccompanied by an adult.
Victoria Amani, one of the vocal advocates for regulatory measures against the use of hotels that endanger the future of young girls, emphasized the need for monitoring mechanisms to protect them.
She stated, “The government has allowed hotels to thrive. We are demanding the implementation of monitoring systems within these establishments. Hotels should not be open to anyone with money. There should be mechanisms in place to shield young girls from entering these hotels with male companions.”
Amani continued, “Any issues arising within the hotel should be handled within families. We call upon the state government to deploy personnel from the municipality or security forces to prevent minors from accessing hotels.”
Highlighting the absence of stringent regulatory laws governing hotels, Amani expressed her concern that the current environment allows for reckless behaviour, making it easy for anyone to take advantage of underage girls.
“In these hotels, there are no strong regulatory laws; everyone is just entering. Elders and children are mixed up inside these establishments. I urge the government to enact laws that only permit married couples with their spouses or large events to use hotels. Young girls should be prohibited from entering,” she insisted.
Madellena Francis, a resident of Wau town, shared instances where families were surprised to discover their daughters hosting birthday parties in hotels without their knowledge.
She stated, “They host nighttime events and birthday parties in these hotels. Sometimes, families are unaware of their child’s birthday celebration until they see posts on social media. Our children are the future of the nation, and such events are shameful.”
Another woman, Jozella Paul, expressed her concern and lack of a voice to reach the government but called upon authorities to restrict young girls from entering hotels when they are below the age of eighteen. “Our daughters are becoming wayward. They defy our orders. Hotels should prevent girls under the age of 18 from accessing their premises,” Jozella stressed.
Aku Okello also raised the issue of girls entering hotels due to inadequate food at home, saying, “I have daughters at home, but what I am witnessing is disheartening. If you advise your daughter at home and then leave her to roam the streets, these girls turn into something else.”
Okello made a distinction between grown-up ladies and minors, stating that adults can make their own choices. “Adult girls are not a problem. They can enter hotels because it’s their choice. However, sometimes when parents go to sleep, they are unaware that their daughters are not at home in their beds. Most of the time, these girls sneak out through windows and end up in hotels,” she explained.
When contacted, Acting State Police Commissioner Maj. Gen. James Simon Yasi reassured the community that the police are working closely with Wau Town Municipality to control crimes related to teenagers’ involvement in sexual behaviours.
“The community’s concern regarding the presence of young children or young girls in hotels is valid, as these girls often engage in criminal activities there,” said Maj. Gen. Yasi.
“We, in collaboration with Wau Municipality, have a significant role to play. We will deploy civil security, Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) officers, and national Public Security (PS) officers to all hotels within Wau town. This will ensure that only responsible individuals with legitimate purposes enter these establishments,” he stated.
Yasi added that the police would work together with other security agencies to monitor the movements of young girls in hotels, particularly at night, to prevent them from becoming victims.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the State Minister for Child and Social Welfare were unsuccessful, as the minister was unavailable.
Wau town, characterized by its multiculturalism, faces the challenge of foreign sex workers and indigenous inhabitants involved in commercial sex work due to the current economic downturn. This situation has left ordinary citizens concerned about the future of their children.