In the evenings, along the «low» road of Abadan stretching along the former city railway station, prostitutes gather waiting for clients. None of them is older than 18 while some look under 15. Most of them are young Turkmen girls.

It is hard to find employment now in Abadan, the former industrial satellite of the capital city of Ashgabat. Most of the enterprises are closed; workers have been sacked, equipment stolen – this is true reality. While it was difficult to find an unemployed person here, today it is hard to find an employed one. Families remain without any income, languishing in poverty. The number of men, heads of families, who out of hopelessness became alcoholics (in the best case) or drug addicts, is particularly high.

Traditionally, men were always the family breadwinners in Turkmenistan; women were domestic goddess. Today, the roles have been partially changed: in many cases women provide for their families by re-selling goods on the market, for instance. In those families, where the women can also not contribute to the family’s income, this burden falls on the children. In this situation, the ancient profession is the most “affordable” and offers a good, by local standards (one can take a girl for $5 - $10), and quick income.

Up until recently, prostitutes brought shame not only on their family but also on the entire street or district. They were often known of even in other Turkmen cities. Nowadays the number of prostitutes has increased; however, nobody looks down on them or talks about them in a scornful manner. The rapidity with which the Turkmens have changed their views on this vice is striking. Now, the Turkmens, who have not been affected by this problem, thank Allah. However, no one condemns the families where the situation is different as they all need to survive.