Unseen, Unserved: 80% of Sex Workers Lack Basic Health Access
Bangladesh is home to an estimated 200,000 sex workers, including approximately 29,000 minors, whose lives are often marked by profound struggles, social neglect, and a lack of fundamental rights. Despite engaging in a profession driven by necessity, they remain widely stigmatised. A significant shift in societal attitude is now viewed as essential for any meaningful development efforts to succeed.
These individuals are largely socially isolated, struggling to advocate for their rights, as attempts are often made to suppress their voices. Recent research from a sex worker community in Jamalpur starkly highlights this crisis: 80% of the women in that area reported receiving no healthcare services over the past year. Furthermore, nearly 93% had no access to alternative employment options, and a high number experienced violence, with most reporting forced sexual relations. These figures critically question the accountability of the state and society.
During a roundtable discussion, experts stressed the urgent need for both legal recognition and social acceptance for sex workers. Fozia Khondaker, Executive Director of Pragrasor, argued that social legitimacy must precede legal validity to restore dignity. Professor Ishrat Shamim, President of the Centre for Women and Children Studies (CWCS), emphasised that since most women enter this profession out of compulsion, rehabilitation must guarantee a dignified means of livelihood.
These discussions, held on September 16th in Dhaka, were organised by Oparajeyo Bangladesh and Samakal in collaboration with UN Women, under the theme, “What Needs to Be Done to Improve the Living Standards of Sex Workers.”
The consensus among participants emphasised that humane assistance and proper planning can enable the children of sex workers to successfully transition to alternative lives. To achieve this, it was agreed that sex workers must be integrated into national social safety net programs, ensuring guaranteed access to healthcare and legal aid. Key recommendations highlighted the need to involve them directly in policy-making to voice their needs, establish a safe working environment with necessary facilities like education, and implement social protection schemes and rehabilitation programs that guarantee dignity.
Furthermore, awareness campaigns are crucial to positively shift the negative public perception among the general populace, administration, and law enforcement, alongside facilitating birth registration and National ID acquisition for their children, complemented by specialised counselling. Ultimately, experts concluded that the first step towards improving their quality of life is a positive, humanistic shift in societal perspective. True progress hinges on treating them with respect, security, and recognising their right to life.
Source: Daily Samakal, September 29, 2025.