How Deception Leads Kenyan Women to Prostitution in Dubai

In the twilight hours of Dubai's less frequented streets, a distressing situation has come to light involving Kenyan women reportedly engaging in solicitation.

These individuals, who departed their homeland with aspirations for legitimate employment, have found themselves ensnared in precarious circumstances after falling victim to fraudulent recruitment schemes. This troubling scenario exposes an often-concealed aspect of Dubai's urban landscape. Having arrived with hopes of economic advancement, these women confront harsh realities that leave them with limited alternatives for survival. What began as promises of respectable employment has devolved into a cycle of exploitation, forcing them to resort to sex work to sustain themselves.

Local sources and observers indicate that these circumstances stem from a broader pattern of deception. Recruitment agents entice vulnerable individuals with fabricated job opportunities, only to abandon them upon arrival in Dubai. Left stranded in an unfamiliar environment without resources or support networks, these women face desperate choices to meet their basic needs. The revelation has prompted vigorous responses from both the Kenyan diaspora and human rights organizations. These groups are advocating for enhanced regulatory frameworks and robust support mechanisms to safeguard vulnerable migrants from such exploitation.

Additionally, mounting pressure is being placed on Kenyan authorities to hold accountable those responsible for these deceptive recruitment practices. According to Crescent International, Dubai is experiencing a significant influx of sex workers, predominantly from former Soviet states, causing concern in this Muslim-majority emirate. The authorities have notably remained passive on this issue, largely due to pressure from business interests. These women enter Dubai through a sophisticated visa arrangement system, where agents confiscate their passports upon arrival and force them to repurchase their documents while paying for arranged visas and accommodation.

Once their visas expire, they become vulnerable to exploitation by their handlers, facing daily fines of £16 for overstaying. The situation has become increasingly visible, with sex workers frequenting Dubai's beaches, nightclubs, and hotel bars. Their primary clientele includes both Arab nationals and Western expatriates. The phenomenon has particularly flourished due to Dubai's role as an entertainment destination for visitors from neighbouring conservative states, especially Saudi Arabia.