A different take ...

From:  Veronika Fuest, Changing roles and opportunities for women in Liberia, in African Affairs 107/427

Many women have had to resort to prostitution to survive and / or support their families.  However the question may be asked if all these women are to be viewed as just passive victims, or also as agents with the scope to make choices. While I do not want to deny the extensive exploitation by outright or subtle enforcement of prostitution by kin, it should be mentioned that 'loving business', women's profitable utilisation of multiple partnerships with men, has for decades constituted a regular if hidden feature in the income and networking strategies of many women from all quarters of Liberian society.

While some staff of UN organisations, peace-keeping forces and NGOs as well as politicians and businessmen, have been accused of taking advantage of the girls' economic situation, it may be equally true that many girls are taking advantage of the presence of thousands of unattached foreign men with deep pockets rather than – or in addition to – sweating in the rice fields or in the markets, or depending on kin for support.