A Qualitative Study on Health and Socio-demographic Facilities of Brothels’ Children in Bangladesh

Introduction: There are no children retained with their mothers or frequentation in brothels before the age of 4 years of the children—section 9 under clause 77/1 of the Children Act 2013. Currently, about 806 children are living with their mothers in three brothels (Roth Khola Brothel-Faridpur, C&B Ghat Brothel-Faridpur, and Doulotdia Ghat Brothel-Rajbari district), where several children are growing in different shelter homes, but another valued number of children are living with their mothers inside brothels or relatives’ houses. These children were always subjected to physical, mental, emotional, social, cultural, and sexual abuse by their mothers and societies. Most mothers do not care about their daughters’ education; their only concern is to force them into prostitution to earn money. Objectives: General objective: The goal of this study was to assess the health and socioeconomic amenities available to children of brothel-based female sex workers. The specific objectives: (1) to learn about health care, (2) to investigate educational facilities, (3) to see sleeping facilities, (4) to examine caring facilities, (5) to look at nursing facilities, (6) refreshment and restroom facilities, and (7) violence encountered by the children of female sex workers at the brothel. Methodology: A qualitative study was conducted to assess knowledge and identify gaps in the threats to the health and fundamental rights of brothel-based female sex workers’ children through focus group discussions with mothers of these children and other stakeholders who were engaged to provide minimum ensured services. Shapla Mohila Sangstha (SMS), Mukti Mohila Sangstha (MMS), and Karmajibi Kallyan Sanstha (KKS) are three NGOs that deal with brothel-based female steelworker children to better their lives. We developed nine targeted groups from these three NGOs, which included NGO personnel, brothel-based female sex workers, and children over the age of 10 years. In each group, there were three NGO employees, three brothel-based female sex workers, and three children over the age of 10 years. Results: The socioeconomic profile of selected respondents was 18–40 years old (100%) and their children were over 10 years old (100%). Female sex workers in brothels are marginalized and stigmatized for their occupation, and they are alienated from their familial bonds. Other sex workers were witnessed having sex with their sons who were verbally, physically, and sexually assaulted. Their way of life and vocations are not tolerated in this culture. Most of the children of brothel-based female sex workers do not have a national identity and hence do not have access to essential rights such as health, education, work, housing, legal assistance, family, and community support. Conclusion: NGO sides provide suitable conditions for children of brothel-based female sex workers. Most of the children were born in Brothel without any nursing or care for their health, safety, or well-being. Daughters of brothel-based female sex workers are at an extremely high risk of becoming brothel-based female sex workers. In this context, authorities should take the initiative for the benefit of society by contributing to better human rights realization, strengthening their rights and capacity, and forming a self-help group to the realization of human rights and the dignity of life for children of brothel-based female sex workers.