Socio-Economic Profile of Sex Workers
of Chittagong
Irshad Kamal Khan
INTRODUCTION
The population of sex workers existing
in the urban centres in Bangladesh,
although small in number, represents
a crucial aspect of our society.
Much of our future may depend on
how we shape our attitude towards
this community. The existence of
a fairly sizeable population of
"floating" sex workers
on the streets of Chittagong is
a fairly recent phenomenon. This
physically visible but socially
hidden population poses the possibility
of some serious social problems
that should be faced now. The present
conditions of existence of this
population can be a real threat
to society in the context of an
impending STD/HIV/AIDS epidemic.
The subculture associated with such
populations substantially magnifies
the dangers faced by society from
drug abuse, addiction, and drug
and sex-related crimes. Society
cannot remain indifferent to the
human rights abuses constantly being
faced by this community.
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The fundamental aim of the present
study is to present a socio-economic
profile of sex workers in Chittagong.
The more specific objectives are
to obtain information about the
individual and social background
of sex workers; living and housing
conditions of sex workers; the circumstances
of entrance into the sex industry;
sex workers' incomes and expenditure;
the nature of sex worker activities;
health conditions of sex workers;
sex workers' awareness about sex-related
social problems including the use
of condoms and awareness about AIDS/HIV;
and sex workers' own perceptions
about the profession. The study
is based on a survey covering a
sample of 200 sex workers of Chittagong
city.
FINDINGS OF THE STUDY
Individual and Social Background
of Sex Workers
There is a significant presence
of child sex workers within the
community of sex workers. The growth
of the sex worker population seems
to have become faster in recent
years and recruitment seems to be
on the rise. There is a general
pattern of predominance of illiteracy
and lack of education among sex
workers. Birth rates among sex workers
seem to be fairly low and a large
proportion are childless. Sex workers
live as social outcasts with a minimal
level of bonds and ties with their
natural (biological) and conjugal
families. The incidence of dead
parents among sex workers is fairly
high. Sex workers come from social
backgrounds typical of the most
populous sections of Bangladesh's
population. This implies that recruitment
into the sex industry is fed by
most sections of the general population;
it is not just some particular sections
of our society which are at risk.
Living conditions of sex workers
are deplorable by the lowest of
standards. Most sex workers consider
themselves permanent residents of
Chittagong.
Circumstances of Entry into the
Sex Worker's Profession
Sex workers have a fairly low duration
of experience in the profession,
especially in comparison to the
duration of their stay in the city.
They do not become sex workers immediately
on arrival in the city. The dalal
(pimp) plays a major role in the
initial recruitment of the sex worker;
many sex workers blame themselves
for entering the profession. Poverty,
trickery, abuse, coercion and rape
can be identified as the main circumstances
of entrance into the sex industry.
Incomes and Expenditure of Sex Workers
Sex workers apparently have high
average daily income levels in comparison
to the poorest sections of society,
but they do not work all days of
the week. The main items of sex
workers' expenditure in order of
importance are food, clothing, cosmetics,
entertainment, transport and house
rent. Although sex workers report
savings from their incomes, these
are actually not very large, are sustained
for only short durations and are quickly
exhausted in times of need.
Nature of Sex Worker Activities
The main off-time activities of
sex workers are physical rest and
sleep, watching movies and adda
(gossiping with peers). In spite
of some advantages of working with
dalals (pimps), the great majority
of sex workers do not consider them
necessary. The most frequently used
places for sexual services are clients'
premises, hotels or boarding houses,
train wagons, roadsides, abandoned
and isolated places and neighbourhood
clubs. Sex workers consider police
action and mastaan (musclemen/ hoodlums)
interference as the main hindrances
of sex worker activity. Sex workers
are fairly well acquainted with
experiences of jail or police custody.
They accept it as an inevitable
though unpleasant part of life.
Sex workers describe their clients
as both educated and uneducated;
belonging to all classes, but especially
the poor and the middle classes;
of all ages, but mostly young and
middle aged. The significant involvement
of young people in the sex industry
should be of concern to society.
Sex Workers' Health Issues
Almost all sex workers claim to
have daily baths and use soap. However,
the water used for drinking and
bathing has a high level of contamination.
The level of discharge of human
excreta in open spaces also appears
to be extremely dangerous. There
is a significant lack of medical
attention among sex workers. The
incidence of STDs among sex workers
is also dangerously high, with inadequate
treatment. The adoption of birth
control measures (including male
condoms) among sex workers is not
high enough and there is cause for
social concern in this area.
Sex Workers' Awareness of Sex-related
Social Problems
Frequency of condom use among clients
is irregular. Most sex workers do
not urge clients to use condoms,
although more than 70% do prefer
condom use. A little less than half
of the sex workers are not aware
of the role of condoms in preventing
STDs. There is widespread lack of
knowledge among sex workers about
the existence of a device for the
prevention of STD/AIDS. Many sex
workers have no knowledge whatsoever
that they are at risk of contracting
STDs. Most sex workers have never
even heard of AIDS. The extent of
the awareness among sex workers
being at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS
is limited to only a tenth of the
sex workers.
Perceptions of Sex Workers about
Problems of the Sex Industry
Although a majority of sex workers
claimed satisfaction with their
present occupation, most would prefer
to switch to other occupations,
given the opportunity. Sex workers
do not show any preference for their
children to become sex workers.
Many would like to have their children
educated. The response to
prospective rehabilitation initiatives is very
positive. Sex workers resist initiatives
which are high handed and do not
take into account their own perceptions.
A court ruling has proclaimed the
eviction of brothel inmates "unlawful".
Sex workers perceive poverty, fate,
trickery, family dissatisfaction,
their own mistakes, abuse and coercion
as the main reasons for entry into
the profession. The prevalence of
tobacco, drugs and alcohol use is
very high among sex workers. There
is a linkage between the sex industry
and substance use. Ganja is the
drug of choice. Prevalence of drug
abuse among the male members of
sex worker groups is probably very
high.
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
· The findings of this study
call for a variety of actions targeting
the sex worker population. The government
has a role to play, especially in
formulating the general framework
of policy and in drawing up priorities.
However, the actual implementation
of policy and a gradual evolution
of practical programmes based on
real experience have to be executed
by forums created from within the
community. This is where voluntary
welfare organisations, grassroots
institutions, human rights organisations
and NGOs can and should play a positive
role.
·
Positive social action is called
for in the areas of medical attention
to sex workers, especially in the
diagnosis and treatment of STDs.
Also, it would be useful to promote
the use of female condoms both for
the prevention of unwanted pregnancies
and STD/HIV/AIDS. Such action might
warrant the formulation of adequate
public policies and their implementation
through mass participation and NGO
activities.
·
There is an urgent need to raise
awareness among sex workers about
the role of condoms in preventing
STD/AIDS. Sex workers need to be
educated about the association of
sex and STDs. AIDS awareness needs
to be spread among sex workers.
All this calls for awareness-raising
components within social action
programmes associated with sex workers.
·
Sex workers' perceptions show that
they would be receptive to social
initiatives to provide education
to their children. This is an area
requiring motivated social action.
Social initiatives to rehabilitate
sex workers into mainstream society,
that take into account their own
sensitivities, preferences, inclinations
and democratic participation in
the decision-making process can
be worthwhile.
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