The health and social well-being of female sex workers’ children in Bangladesh: A qualitative study from Dhaka, Chittagong, and Sylhet

Abstract

Numerous studies have documented the health problems of sex workers; however, there has been limited research documenting the well-being of children of sex workers. Threats to the health and welfare of these children span their lives. Problems among infants may be more difficult to observe, but field observations by staff at NGOs, who operate drop-in-centers for sex workers in Bangladesh, suggest that older children of sex workers experience significant risks to their health and safety.

This qualitative study explored the threats to the health and welfare of children of sex workers through focus group discussions with sex workers and brothel madams in Bangladesh, all of whom were mothers. Risks to their children were explored from the time of pregnancy through adolescence.

Findings indicate that stigmatization of and discrimination against these children and their mothers are underlying conditions that compromise their access to safe housing, childcare, health care, education, and the protection of law enforcement. The threats they face may exceed those of other children in Bangladesh and include sexual exploitation, exploitive labor, trafficking for adoption, and forced entry into crime. In addition, many children of sex workers have reportedly been traumatized after witnessing police brutality against their mothers. While both sons and daughters of sex workers face similar barriers in altering their life trajectories, gender-specific challenges were also identified.

Additional research documenting trends among children of sex workers and their mothers is needed; however, much can be done immediately to mitigate potential harm by targeting family-based support to these mothers and children to meet basic needs and ensure their basic rights. Our recommendations are to strengthen health, social welfare, and other services to address protection and prevention needs; ensure access to basic services; and provide interventions that address the marginalization resulting from stigma and discrimination.

Keywords:

• children of sex workers
• sex work
• vulnerable children
• child protection
• Bangladesh

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Drs. Saima Khan and Lima Rahman (Save the Children, Bangladesh) for comments on an earlier draft. We also acknowledge the support in Bangladesh of Fazla Khuda, Mausumi Amin, Dr. Amzad Ali, and Nizam Uddin Ahmed (Save the Children, Bangladesh), Shahnewaz Begum and MA Gani (Durjoy Nari Shango), and Dr. Rounak Khan (Bangladesh Women’s Health Coalition). Finally, we thank all the participants for sharing their serious concerns about the well-being of their children.