Bacha Bazi: Boy Sex Slavery in Afghanistan

I recently learned something that completely shocked me. In Afghanistan, there is an ancient, underground custom of wealthy men and high-ranking officials taking boys and using them, essentially, as sex slaves.

I realize that by now, nothing horrible like this should shock me. My shock in this situation, however, lies in the fact that homosexuality is completely forbidden and even punished in states ruled by Islamic law. Yet, it seems some leaders of countries like Afghanistan readily participate in homosexuality. That is hypocrisy in its purest form.

The enslaved boys are called "bacha bereesh," or "boys without beards." They are often kept as a personal sex slave of their master. Their masters often bring them to parties, where they're forced to participate in a practice called "bacha bazi," which translates "boy play." During boy play, boys cake themselves with makeup, dress up as women, and dance in front of a group of men. Afterwards they are often raped or sexually assaulted by the men in attendance.

Part of what contributes to the practice of "bacha bazi," Afghanistan's culture of separation of the sexes. It seems to me that since women are forbidden at men's gatherings, men use the next best thing, boys, for their sexual satisfaction. This might be taking a presumptuous leap, but perhaps a logical one.

The Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission is one of the few Afghan organizations working to end the practice of "bacha bazi." It distributes brochures to families, warning parents about the danger of the practice.

CNN recently produced a story on "bacha bazi." Check it out for more information.