Rekia Yaya, a Cameroonian based in Turkey, has stated that many stranded African females in Turkey are engaged in sex work to survive.
Speaking on Daily Hustle Worldwide, Rekia indicated that thousands of undocumented Africans were duped into travelling to Europe through Turkey.
However, they decide to stay in Turkey when they find out about the fatal journey to Greece. These immigrants must cross the Aegean Sea to Greece, a journey where thousands of lives have been lost.
Many who decide to stay in Turkey are subjected to working long hours in factories and warehouses for little pay. She said, “Those who work in the factories can’t speak Turkish. The pay is terrible. I will not wish that on my enemy. A mother had to do that job. She was told she’d take a bus to Germany.
That is why the rate of African girls in prostitution is very high. Because when they don’t cross, they cannot feed themselves. They do prostitution to survive. I’ve heard horrible stories. Some Turkish men pay 50 to 100 Lira ($10), and these women take that to survive,” she said on SVTV International.
Rekia has been living in Turkey for almost ten years. She left Cameroon on a study permit with a scholarship to study and has since been working as an English teacher in Turkey. She mentioned that learning the language is the best way to get a good job in Turkey.
Kindly watch the full interview below;
