Under the new Criminal Offences Act, 2025, Section 114, it is now illegal for individuals, particularly men to profit from the earnings of prostitution or to persistently engage in solicitation.
The Act specifically states that any male person who knowingly lives, either wholly or in part, on the earnings of prostitution commits a misdemeanor and may face imprisonment at Mile 2 Prison.
This comes after years of growing concern over the rising number of young men pimping out their female acquaintances to semesters – Gambian returning from Europe or the United States during the holiday season.
Some of them start lining up girls for their semester clients months in advance, hoping for a big payday when the semesters land.
Additionally, the law prohibits approaching or attempting to engage women in well-known areas such as Senegambia and Brusubi Turntable for sex in exchange for money.
The new legislation aims to curb the exploitation and abuse of young women and to provide stronger legal protection against all forms of sexual exploitation.