Khairul Alam: Daulatdia in Rajbari is the biggest brothels in Bangladesh. Currently, the sex workers there are living inhumane lives. After the lockdown due to the corona epidemic, there is a crisis in their earnings. At present, after the launch of the Padma Bridge, the lamentation has started in this brothels.
The sex workers of Daulatdia are in crisis of livelihood due to lack of customers. Women over the age of 50 are living the most hardships.
It is known that about 5 thousand people live in Daulatdia sex village. The number of sex workers here is 1 thousand 300 people. 1 thousand 50 of them are regulars. The rest remains irregular. There are about 300 houses here.
The number of children in the sex village is 600. There are currently 350 elderly women in the village.
On the ground in Daulatdia’s sex village has been seen that women are standing by the house hoping for customers. However, several sex workers said that customers no longer come that way.
Talk to sex worker Salma (Unnamed) said, I have been in this village for almost 30 years. I came to this place when I was 20/22. I used to earn a lot of money then.
But with increasing age, the income also decreased. I also have two children. Now I earn my living by working in people’s houses inside the village.
Sex worker Sanjida (57) (unnamed) said, the condition of the village was good once. Presently the condition of the village is very bad. After the launch of Padma Bridge, people do not come to Daulatdia ferry ghat and launch ghat. Everyone becomes Padma Bridge.
So begins our lamentation. We want to leave now. But we have nowhere to go. If the government arranges for our rehabilitation, we can survive.
Several residents of the village said, I was fine when there was traffic jam at Doutaldia Ferry Ghat. Customers used to come to the village. But now no one takes notice.
Earlier I was earning 4/5 thousand taka a day but now I am not earning even 500 taka. How can we go with this little money? There are other incidental expenses including food and drink, house rent.
Within Daulatdia village there is a group of helpless women. The president of the organization is Jhumur Begum. He said, there are 350 elderly women in the village. Their extreme food shortage has started.
They want to leave now. Goland Upazila Nirbahi Officer Zakir Hossain sir came. He said to prepare a list of those who are above 50 years.
Goland Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Md. Zakir Hossain said, Daulatdia sexpalli of Rajbari is the biggest sexpalli of the country. After the launch of Padma Bridge, a different scenario has developed here. I went there on the spot.
Because everyone in sex is part of our society. A number of organizations operate there. I have given instructions to make a list of women above 50 years of age. Initially by preparing this list we will think about how to rehabilitate them.