[4] Prostitution occurs on the streets and in bars, restaurants, nightclubs and saunas,[2] and HIV prevalence is 3.5% amongst sex workers.
[5] Previously, as soliciting is an administrative offence,[4] arrested prostitutes are given a nominal fine and released,[6][7] while those procuring are prosecuted,[6] potentially being punished by up to eight years in jail.
[13] The more liberal regime in Tajikistan, the poverty of the country and a similar language make it attractive to Afghans, even if a Tajik visa may cost $500.
Tajik women and girls are transported to Afghanistan for the purpose of forced marriage, which can lead to sex trafficking.
[14] In June 2014, the Interior Minister, Ramazon Rahimov,[8] expressed concerns about the growth of “immoral crimes,”[4] and ordered a crackdown on prostitution.