Dr Reazul Haque :
Society always neglects the downtrodden voices. Patriarchal society imposes restriction over the dream of emancipation of the economically deprived exploited female section. The hypocrisy of society has created prostitute because of their own necessity and they don’t allow their entrance into mainstream of the society. In this background the brothels came into existence all over the world. Though in religion, especially in Islam sex trade is prohibited; in many of the Muslim countries this unwanted unsocial activities demonstrate the degradation of human values. Sex workers have no opportunity of being in the mainstream of society and their siblings always become sufferers for mothers’ profession.
The book ‘Voices from the Edge; Justice, Agency and the Plight of Floating Sex Workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh’ by Dr. Reazul Haque has brought out the fact in details that expands the humanitarian viewpoint. This book is divided into five chapters where the writer gives in details plight of floating sex workers, the sexual viewpoint of the West, floating sex workers live in Dhaka, sex worker self-perception, male perception towards the floating sex and State, NGO and civil society’s viewpoint.
The brothels came into public view distinctly in 1985 in Bangladesh when Shab Meher, a poor innocent girl of 14, was mercilessly tortured when she refused to be engaged in sex work. Her tragic death and the role of newspapers raised public awareness about the inhuman condition there. The closure of three brothels in Dhaka and Narayanganj in 1997 and 1998 resulted in an increase in Floating Sex Workers (FSW) and they could not return to the mainstream of society while rehabilitation was of highest priority.
The writer articulates the sufferings of the sex workers. For social identity many of them have to work as garments workers. The writer identifies that the closure of brothels is not the solution for sexual exploitation. The thoughts of the female section – the victim of injustice of the society, are cited by the author; “We were not born as prostitute but circumstances forced us into this life”. He concludes that patriarchal society compels them to be and remain prostitute.
The book carries the quandary evidence of exploitation of floating sex workers in Dhaka who experience inhuman treatment from the society.
The writer proved that the patriarchal society with its formation and brutality cause suffering for FSW and their children while their beneficiaries and pimps are neither questioned nor face that brutal reality. The heinous social rules, legitimacy, so-called religious hindrance, culture and norms and behaviours all imposed upon women, but not on men.
We can have an expectation to make up a society without stigmatization of sex workers. To extend human right for FSW they should be recognized equally by the law and be provided right to participate in social activities. If human development is defined as the process of enlarging people’s freedoms and opportunities and improving their well-being, the female section under unhuman treatment should be given full support from all concerned to establish them in the mainstream of our society.
It is expected that law stands against the patriarchal beneficiaries. Social consciousness and united approach can make the situation change as it can only ensure right, privilege, citizen right and civil right from the state.
Rehabilitation with due economic support and bringing all sex workers under the shade of proper human dignity is the urgent need to-day. All government and non-government endeavours should join hands for better future of the deprived and exploited female section – victim of social injustice.
-Reviewed by Shams Arefin
Society always neglects the downtrodden voices. Patriarchal society imposes restriction over the dream of emancipation of the economically deprived exploited female section. The hypocrisy of society has created prostitute because of their own necessity and they don’t allow their entrance into mainstream of the society. In this background the brothels came into existence all over the world. Though in religion, especially in Islam sex trade is prohibited; in many of the Muslim countries this unwanted unsocial activities demonstrate the degradation of human values. Sex workers have no opportunity of being in the mainstream of society and their siblings always become sufferers for mothers’ profession.
The book ‘Voices from the Edge; Justice, Agency and the Plight of Floating Sex Workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh’ by Dr. Reazul Haque has brought out the fact in details that expands the humanitarian viewpoint. This book is divided into five chapters where the writer gives in details plight of floating sex workers, the sexual viewpoint of the West, floating sex workers live in Dhaka, sex worker self-perception, male perception towards the floating sex and State, NGO and civil society’s viewpoint.
The brothels came into public view distinctly in 1985 in Bangladesh when Shab Meher, a poor innocent girl of 14, was mercilessly tortured when she refused to be engaged in sex work. Her tragic death and the role of newspapers raised public awareness about the inhuman condition there. The closure of three brothels in Dhaka and Narayanganj in 1997 and 1998 resulted in an increase in Floating Sex Workers (FSW) and they could not return to the mainstream of society while rehabilitation was of highest priority.
The writer articulates the sufferings of the sex workers. For social identity many of them have to work as garments workers. The writer identifies that the closure of brothels is not the solution for sexual exploitation. The thoughts of the female section – the victim of injustice of the society, are cited by the author; “We were not born as prostitute but circumstances forced us into this life”. He concludes that patriarchal society compels them to be and remain prostitute.
The book carries the quandary evidence of exploitation of floating sex workers in Dhaka who experience inhuman treatment from the society.
The writer proved that the patriarchal society with its formation and brutality cause suffering for FSW and their children while their beneficiaries and pimps are neither questioned nor face that brutal reality. The heinous social rules, legitimacy, so-called religious hindrance, culture and norms and behaviours all imposed upon women, but not on men.
We can have an expectation to make up a society without stigmatization of sex workers. To extend human right for FSW they should be recognized equally by the law and be provided right to participate in social activities. If human development is defined as the process of enlarging people’s freedoms and opportunities and improving their well-being, the female section under unhuman treatment should be given full support from all concerned to establish them in the mainstream of our society.
It is expected that law stands against the patriarchal beneficiaries. Social consciousness and united approach can make the situation change as it can only ensure right, privilege, citizen right and civil right from the state.
Rehabilitation with due economic support and bringing all sex workers under the shade of proper human dignity is the urgent need to-day. All government and non-government endeavours should join hands for better future of the deprived and exploited female section – victim of social injustice.
-Reviewed by Shams Arefin
