A post Covid 19 baseline study, conducted by Bonhishikha in partnership with Save The Children Bangladesh reveals that a significant portion of mothers who work in the sexual industry intended to plan to do secondary livelihood activities aside from sexual services but a variety of difficulties were found when trying to start these activities. In this circumstance, a need for a rigorous market assessment had arisen to investigate sustainable alternative livelihood opportunities for the sex workers in the targeted brothel communities of Faridpur and Rajbari Districts.
What we found:
The market assessment for sustainable alternative livelihoods of sex workers in Bangladesh highlights the urgent need for economic diversification due to declining incomes, exacerbated by COVID-19 and structural changes such as the opening of the Padma Bridge. The study identifies key constraints, including limited financial access, lack of savings, minimal formal education, and internalised stigma. Preferred alternative livelihoods include tailoring, catering, health services, childcare, and beauty services, yet challenges such as high investment requirements and space limitations persist. Government and NGO training programmes exist but require improved financial inclusion, mental health support, and market linkages. A phased ‘graduation approach’ is recommended to assist sex workers in transitioning into sustainable, independent livelihoods.