In Kandapara, over a thousand women are ensnared in the harsh grip of prostitution. Their lives are entangled in a relentless cycle of serving clients. Prostitution is deemed legal here, while abortion remains forbidden. This village has earned the somber title of the "village of prostitutes," where countless children grow up burdened by the weight of their uncertain paternity.
Living Conditions
The community comprises over 600 interconnected rooms, each providing shelter for the sex workers. The plight of these women has attracted the attention of journalists, both local and international. One such exposé came from The Guardian, a British newspaper, which aired a documentary unmasking their lives.
Legalization and Its Effects
In March 2000, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh legalized sex work within Kandapara. This legal recognition led to rapid development, making it one of the largest government-acknowledged brothel areas. Within these brothels, sex workers must obtain licenses, and clients engage in prostitution under the purview of the law.
Human Trafficking
Investigations have revealed that many of the prostitutes in Kandapara have been trafficked or forcibly taken from their homes, often from neighboring countries like Nepal, Vietnam, and Myanmar. Some are even sold into this life by their own parents. Upon arrival, these women are coerced into signing so-called voluntary agreements under the control of brothel keepers. Any resistance is met with brutal physical abuse, leaving them no choice but to comply.
The Daily Struggle
Over a thousand sex workers in Kandapara are compelled to serve more than 3,000 clients each day, often for as little as 100 takas (about a dollar). The absence of safeguards during these encounters exposes these women to grave risks, including disease transmission and unintended pregnancies. When diseases afflict them, these women must use their meager earnings for treatment, further perpetuating their cycle of indebtedness.
Children's Plight
Children in Kandapara face grim futures. Boys are destined for labor and physical toil, while girls inherit their mothers' work. At the age of nine, girls are thrust into the world of prostitution. They turn to dangerous drugs like Oradexon, used to fatten cattle, to meet societal expectations of beauty. This drug triggers rapid weight gain but has devastating long-term health consequences.
Exploitation and Control
The brothel keeper wields absolute power, ensuring the operation of their domain by bribing officials and overseeing the prostitutes. Young girls and women are trapped, their freedom stripped away, enduring exploitation and abuse. Despite a government decision in 2014 to demolish the brothel village, protests led to its rebuilding, leaving the underlying issues unresolved.
Historical Context
Following the establishment of Bangladesh in 1971, internal conflicts and economic struggles have plagued the nation. Classified as one of the world's least developed countries, Bangladesh has an economy heavily reliant on agriculture, inadequate infrastructure, and a lagging education system. In this distressing landscape, places like Kandapara thrive, generating substantial revenue for the government through the sex trade, yet the human cost remains immeasurable.
A Call for Change
The story of Kandapara highlights the urgent need for comprehensive societal change. It is a call to action for governments, organizations, and individuals to address the root causes and systemic issues allowing such tragedies to persist. The journey towards a brighter future remains incomplete until every person is afforded dignity, freedom, and equal opportunities. Only then can the voices of Kandapara and others like it be truly heard, and the promise of a better tomorrow be realized.
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