Nigerian Prostitutes Campaign For Legalization Of Sex Work With The Red Umbrella Protests

Under the auspices of different organisations, scores of prostitutes marched on the streets of Lagos, chanting provocative slogans.

This boldness is unprecedented, and the protesters carried their signature red umbrellas and T-shirts with the inscription "Sex work is work, we need our rights."

There have been a couple of protests in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital, demanding the rights of prostitutes in a country where sex vendors suffer physical harm at the hands of their punters.

Some of these protests are led by 48-year-old Patoo Abraham who is not only proud of her profession but is also campaigning to ensure that prostitution is legalised and that sex workers are respected in Africa's most populous country.

Nigerian Prostitutes in Italy Reveal How Their Dreams of Freedom Turned To Nightmares

Police control find a Nigerian woman working as a prostitute in the outskirt of Turin

The plight of trafficked Nigerian women forced to work in the sex trade has been highlighted by Paris-based photographer Elena Perlino, originally from Italy.

These Nigerian women are being trafficked to Italy under the pretence that they will be working as nannies or in factories – but often end up working the streets as prostitutes.

She began to notice the presence of young African women working on the streets during her commutes from Turin. She said:

'I decided to start from this surreal vision to tell a story. I have been working on the topic for several years, focusing mainly on the Italian connection.'