Bacha bazi, meaning ‘boy play’ in Pashto and Dari, is a deeply controversial and disturbing tradition. Historically recorded in western Turkistan under the Russian Empire and even in the Soviet Union until 1930, the practice persists today, particularly in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Over the past two decades, it has grown in prevalence, especially in Pashtun regions and among ethnic Tajiks.

At its core, bacha bazi involves the exploitation of young boys, often forced into sexual servitude by older men. Although Afghan law prohibits the practice, enforcement remains inconsistent, and the tradition continues in secrecy, often shielded by powerful community leaders. This article examines its origins, cultural dynamics, legal challenges, and ongoing efforts to eradicate it.

Historically, these boys, often dressed in feminine attire, performed at social gatherings and were sometimes romanticized in poetry and art. Over time, however, the practice devolved into systematic exploitation, with boys trapped in cycles of abuse. The perpetrators, known as “masters,” target the most vulnerable children, often from impoverished families, coercing them into servitude. According to a 2014 Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) report, nearly half of the victims are illiterate, and 87% are unable to attend school. This makes them easy prey for traffickers who lure families with false promises of employment and education.

During the 20th century, bacha bazi became associated with power and prestige. Boys, usually between the ages of 10 and 18, are either recruited or coerced into becoming “bacha.” Many are handed over by desperate families hoping for financial relief, while others are orphaned or homeless, making them particularly susceptible to abuse. Wealthy warlords, tribal leaders, and influential men often keep “bacha” as symbols of status.

One former senior commander, Mestary, explained in a Frontline investigation: “I had a boy because every commander had a partner. Among the commanders, there is competition; if I didn’t have one, I could not compete with them.” This entrenched cultural dynamic has rendered legislative efforts largely ineffective.

Paradoxically, while homosexuality is punishable by stoning in Afghanistan, the practice of bacha bazi persists. Its endurance is tied to Afghanistan’s rigid patriarchal and hierarchical social structure. In a society where gender segregation is strictly enforced, and interactions between men and women are heavily restricted, bacha bazi is often rationalized as an outlet for suppressed sexual desires. This disturbing normalization of abuse underscores deeper issues of toxic masculinity and the commodification of vulnerable individuals.

“[Bacha bazi] has increased in almost every region of Afghanistan,” noted Abdulkhabir Uchqun, a Member of Parliament from northern Afghanistan. “I asked local authorities to act to stop this practice, but they did nothing.” Addressing this issue requires moving beyond the notion that it is merely a cultural phenomenon best left untouched by outsiders.

While some argue that bacha bazi is embedded in Afghan traditions, many Afghans find it morally reprehensible and culturally unacceptable. “The American policy of treating child sexual abuse as a ‘cultural issue’ shows the naivety of the U.S. policymakers in Afghanistan. It is unacceptable morally and culturally to most people in Afghanistan.” Indeed, many Afghans, particularly in rural and religiously conservative communities, view bacha bazi as a violation of Islamic principles and a stain on their cultural heritage. Ignoring the issue under the guise of respecting cultural differences only enables perpetrators and betrays the very people international actors claim to support.

To gain deeper insight, I spoke with Barat Ali Batoor, an acclaimed photographer who spent six months documenting Afghan boys trapped in bacha bazi and the men who exploit them. While Australian journalists and photographers can report openly, exposing such cultural secrets in Afghanistan is forbidden. Despite its prevalence, many NGOs, including the Afghan Human Rights Commission, refuse to acknowledge the issue. The boys are often paraded as entertainment at weddings and other events, reinforcing the perception that their suffering is simply part of Afghan social customs.

One of the most devastating aspects of bacha bazi is the absence of rehabilitation for victims. Once abused, these boys are frequently ostracized by society. Batoor recounted the heartbreaking story of a 12-year-old boy abducted, taken to Kabul, and sold into bacha bazi. When he tried to return home, his family rejected him. The stigma surrounding these victims ensures that many remain trapped in the cycle of abuse, abandoned by both their families and the institutions meant to protect them.

While Afghan law explicitly prohibits bacha bazi, enforcement remains woefully inadequate. The 2017 Penal Code criminalized the practice, with perpetrators facing up to life imprisonment. However, corruption, lack of political will, and societal acceptance among influential figures render these laws ineffective. Under Afghanistan’s anti-trafficking laws, the act of trafficking for exploitation carries penalties of at least ten years imprisonment, with harsher sentences if victims are coerced into dancing. Additionally, the Protection of Child Rights law, enacted on March 11, 2019, criminalizes all forms of sexual exploitation and mistreatment of children, including bacha bazi. The legislation also guarantees children’s rights to health and education while prohibiting any form of discrimination.

Yet, despite these legal frameworks, victims rarely report these crimes. Survivors who come forward face immense barriers to justice. Many are further victimized through social ostracization or even legal persecution. In some cases, boys who escape their abusers are arrested and punished for “moral crimes,” while their exploiters evade consequences. This pervasive lack of accountability perpetuates a cycle of impunity.

The Afghan government must prioritize the enforcement of anti-bacha bazi laws and hold perpetrators accountable, regardless of their social or political status. Strengthening law enforcement and judicial mechanisms is critical to ensuring justice for survivors. Culturally, addressing the practice requires shifting societal attitudes. Public awareness campaigns that challenge the normalization of bacha bazi and promote gender equality can help create an environment where such abuse is no longer tolerated. Religious leaders who wield significant influence in Afghan society must take an active role in condemning bacha bazi and advocating for children’s protection.

International pressure remains crucial. Human rights organizations and donor countries must continue pushing for reforms while providing financial and technical support to local initiatives. Without sustained global attention, the cycle of abuse will persist, leaving countless young boys trapped in an archaic system of exploitation. Bacha bazi is not just a cultural failing; it is a humanitarian crisis demanding urgent action.