Archive · 18 Jan 2026
Bacha-Baazi: Exploitation of Boys in Afghanistan and Pakistan
Bacha-Baazi is a harmful practice in some parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan where young boys are made to dance for older men.
Sometimes, these boys are also sexually exploited.
This is not a part of their culture or heritage but is a form of abuse.
The practice continues because powerful people keep it hidden and protected.
It is important to understand that this is wrong and harmful to the boys involved.
Bacha-Baazi involves young boys being dressed up and trained to dance for older men.
The practice often leads to sexual exploitation of the boys.
It is prevalent in rebel-ruled Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan.
Bacha-Baazi is not a cultural or hereditary practice but a form of abuse.
The practice continues due to powerful individuals protecting and hiding it.
- Who
- Young boys in Afghanistan and Pakistan
- What
- Bacha-Baazi, a practice of exploiting boys for dancing and sexual purposes
- When
- Still occurring in some areas
- Where
- Rebel-ruled Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan
- Why
- Powerful silence and protection of the practice by some
- Practice Name
- Bacha-Baazi
- Meaning
- Boy play
- Regions
- Afghanistan and Pakistan
- Nature
- Exploitation of young boys
- Form
- Dancing and sexual exploitation
- Status
- Still prevalent in some areas
- Cultural Context
- Not part of recorded culture, considered abuse