Filza Mehmood

Bacha Bazi, literally meaning "boy play," is one of the most disturbing forms of Child Abuse in South and Central Asia. Young boys, typically between the ages of 10 and 18, are subjected to sexual abuse by powerful men, made to dress like women, and compelled to dance at private events as part of a practice that has become the standard in their culture. It is a dismal reality rooted in poverty, power imbalances, and the breakdown of moral and legal structures in communities riven by strife.

Journalist Najibullah Qureshi revealed it in his 2010 documentary, "The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan." It came back to prominence during the war years, when a culture of impunity was established due to government collapse and warlords' power. This is a crime under the 2018 Afghan Penal Code, although there remains a loose interpretation of this law due to social taboos, corruption and the involvement of powerful criminals. The victims, often with displaced families or having low income, have been enticed using cash, presents, or even safety and destroyed in a loop of guilt and abuse, proving that society stays silent, inducing cross-border smuggling and lax law enforcement.

.                      Source: New Lines Institute 

Several local and international organisations, including Human Rights Watch and UNICEF, have registered the psychological and physical toll on victims. Survivor rehabilitation and awareness campaigns are on the rise, yet progress is still stagnant unless further social transformation is undertaken.

Bacha Bazi is not a traditional norm; it is a violation of human rights. To end it, strict legal enforcement, community education, and the moral fortitude to speak out against individuals who take advantage of society's weakest members are all necessary.