Broke and broken, sex workers ending up homeless

Photo: AFP By Nilima JahanJun 22 2020 (IPS-Partners) The life of sex workers on the streets, hard as it is during normal times, has taken a worse turn after the coronavirus pandemic hit the country. Many floating sex workers have been pushed into begging, as their regular means of income has almost disappeared. They are also facing assault and harassment at the hands of local goons, law enforcers and other people, living on the streets. Mukta, 40, a floating sex worker, shared how she was attacked and wounded while looking for clients near Golap Shah Mazar at Gulistan in the first week of April. She said three young men availed her service and were about to leave without payment. When she asked for money, they berated her for sex work amidst the shutdown and then beat her mercilessly. One of them hit Mukta on her nose with a shard of blade. “The wound required six stitches and I think the scar will never heal,” said Mukta, who now begs on the streets. At least five other sex workers shared similar experiences with this correspondent. They said they are compelled to come out on the street risking coronavirus infection as many of them have children to feed and families to support. Mukta said for the last three months she could not pay the monthly fee of Tk 2,000 for her two kids, who live at a private shelter for sex worker’s children. “The shelter in-charge has been calling and yelling at me for the money. How can I make her understand that I’m i...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Gender Gender Violence Health Source Type: news