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Sextortion: That’s the threat for women who are simply trying to buy clean water
Women and girls in Nairobi’s informal settlements are reportedly being pressured into sex in exchange for water or preferential access to it, a practice known as sextortion. The article highlights how unreliable, costly water supplies can turn a basic necessity into a means of exploitation, leaving those affected to choose between safety and their families’ daily needs.
Water is often sold through private vendors or controlled by local cartels, with long queues and shortages increasing their power over residents. Campaigners say the abuse is under-reported because of stigma and fear, and argue that reliable public water services, accountability for suppliers and support for survivors are needed to prevent it.
In short
- Water scarcity is enabling sexual exploitation in Nairobi.
- Women may be pressured into sex for water access.
- Campaigners call for reliable, safe public water supplies.
Explained simply
Sextortion is when someone is pressured or coerced into sex in exchange for something they need. In informal settlements around Nairobi, women and girls face this threat when trying to access water, a basic necessity that is often difficult and costly to obtain.
Water in these areas is frequently supplied by private vendors or controlled by local cartels rather than reliable public systems. When water is scarce and expensive, these suppliers gain significant power over residents, creating situations where vulnerable people must choose between their physical safety and securing water for their families.
The abuse is believed to be widespread but rarely reported, as survivors often fear stigma or retaliation. Campaigners argue that establishing reliable public water services, holding suppliers accountable and providing support to those affected are essential steps to prevent the exploitation.