A point to ponder
Muhammad Nuruddin Khan | Saturday, 28 June 2008
The profession that is loathed but still exists with the tacit support of the society is prostitution. It is a profession, which involves not only physical labour but also service. Those, who slip into the profession, earn whatever they can. But what is a matter of concern is they end up in a helpless situation in the later days of their lives as they cannot save for the rainy days. Because, some of them do not have the level of consciousness about the necessity of growing a habit of saving while others feel embarrassed to go to a bank counter to open an account. So in absence of an institutional support, they cannot save whatever they earn, inviting troubles for the later years of their lives.
According to CARE Bangladesh, there are around 50,000 sex workers in the country. Of them, only one-third live in brothels and others are floating. The sufferings of the floating sex workers are much more than those living in whorehouses. Floating sex workers have no security of life, livelihood and education of their children. Though, the sex workers are vocal to press home their various demands, they are still unaware or half-aware about saving their incomes, which can guarantee their social security.
If social stratification is taken into consideration, the sex workers do not belong to any special stratum of the society, they are a special part of all strata of the society. Unlike those in any other profession, the sex workers' woes know no bounds in the later years, when they are no more in the profession. They feel like frustrated and helpless. What they need most in this particular situation is money to ensure their social security. There is no denying the fact that money can make one's lifeless and dull moments full of joy. Here lies the significance of money.
According to findings of a research work, the sex workers in Bangladesh lead inhuman life at this later stage. Though all other professional groups save a part of their incomes, the sex workers fail to do so in the present socio-economic perspective. The professional sex workers are not allowed to go beyond the four walls of their dwellings. So the financial institutions should come forward to extend services to them by collecting their deposits under a special arrangement. The option of opening booths to this end can also be considered. Moreover, initiatives can also be taken so that non-professional sex workers can save their earnings.
If the 50,000 sex workers' access to the financial system can be ensured, that will benefit the banks as well as the government. On the other hand, their socio-economic condition will change. They will regain self-confidence and will learn to dream.
But the authorities concerned should take caution that the sex workers' savings in no way land in the hands of their masters.
This write-up is not intended to encourage this loathed profession, rather this is intended to support the hapless and frustrated people, when they are thrown out of the profession in the later years of life. They have every right to live as a human being. Food, clothing, shelter, treatment and education are the fundamental and constitutionally-recognised rights of every citizen, and sex workers are no exception.
The writer is a researcher and columnist
According to CARE Bangladesh, there are around 50,000 sex workers in the country. Of them, only one-third live in brothels and others are floating. The sufferings of the floating sex workers are much more than those living in whorehouses. Floating sex workers have no security of life, livelihood and education of their children. Though, the sex workers are vocal to press home their various demands, they are still unaware or half-aware about saving their incomes, which can guarantee their social security.
If social stratification is taken into consideration, the sex workers do not belong to any special stratum of the society, they are a special part of all strata of the society. Unlike those in any other profession, the sex workers' woes know no bounds in the later years, when they are no more in the profession. They feel like frustrated and helpless. What they need most in this particular situation is money to ensure their social security. There is no denying the fact that money can make one's lifeless and dull moments full of joy. Here lies the significance of money.
According to findings of a research work, the sex workers in Bangladesh lead inhuman life at this later stage. Though all other professional groups save a part of their incomes, the sex workers fail to do so in the present socio-economic perspective. The professional sex workers are not allowed to go beyond the four walls of their dwellings. So the financial institutions should come forward to extend services to them by collecting their deposits under a special arrangement. The option of opening booths to this end can also be considered. Moreover, initiatives can also be taken so that non-professional sex workers can save their earnings.
If the 50,000 sex workers' access to the financial system can be ensured, that will benefit the banks as well as the government. On the other hand, their socio-economic condition will change. They will regain self-confidence and will learn to dream.
But the authorities concerned should take caution that the sex workers' savings in no way land in the hands of their masters.
This write-up is not intended to encourage this loathed profession, rather this is intended to support the hapless and frustrated people, when they are thrown out of the profession in the later years of life. They have every right to live as a human being. Food, clothing, shelter, treatment and education are the fundamental and constitutionally-recognised rights of every citizen, and sex workers are no exception.
The writer is a researcher and columnist