Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation end up with AIDS

Ms. Mahmuda Begum (Bangladesh, 14/12/07)

Bangladesh is one of the victim countries for internationally trafficked persons, primarily women, girls and children. Several thousand women and girls are trafficked annually from Bangladesh for the purpose of sexual exploitation, primarily to India, Pakistan, and the Middle East. Most trafficking girls and women are sexually abused; often they also experience other forms of physical and psychological violence. They are in high risk of becoming infected with STD's including HIV/AIDS and they are by the surrounding society seen upon as non-pure and among the lowest ranked in the society.

AIDS is a noxious disease; Social customs and risky behavior fuel this disease to scatter rapidly in some regions in the world. There are several social components linked to the manifestation of this harmful situation. Poverty forces it, Gender inequality plays a vital role; Frustration and risky behavior sink humanity into infection. Poverty and gender inequality decline socio economic prosperity. These factors also lead to several anti-social, poisonous issues such as trafficking to prostitution, selling sex to earn a living, break down of family norms leading to frustration and drug abuse.

Trafficking in young women and children is a matter of great concern all over the world. In South Asia, cross-border trafficking, sourcing, transit to destination is a giant problem. Even more prevalent is the movement of persons within the countries for exploitation in various forms. There are no exact figures about the number of victims. Trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation is the most virulent form in South Asia. A survey conducted by Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallyan Foundation found that the girls forced (trafficking) into the brothels do not want to return to their homes once they are into it for more than one year. Such girls believe they would be victim of social stigma and face discrimination from the society. They also believe, their family would suffer several social taboos, loss of self-respect and social-dignity.

The movement of young girls from Nepal and Bangladesh into Indian brothels is common. However, most of the trafficking takes place within India itself. There is further movement of these women and girls to the Middle East as well as other destinations. Similar movement from Pakistan and Sri Lanka has been observed. At times of hardship, this starts out as an illegal migration and ends up as trafficking. Internal displacement due to conflict in some of these countries, poverty and lack of employment opportunities, increase the vulnerabilities to being trafficked.

Ms Khaleda Habib, principal of Udayan High School said, “Day by day it is mounting evidence that the trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation, is a significant problem in Every Country. Usually commercially sex trafficking is more than an issue of crime or migration; it is an issue of gender discrimination and the worse status of women. Around the world most trafficked people are adolescent girls, women and children of low socio-economic status, and the primary trafficking flows are from poor or developing countries to more wealthy countries.”

AIDS researcher Mohammad Khairul Alam said, “Trafficking in girls and women is warmly linked to movements in search of employment opportunities. Poverty and gender discrimination make girls and women more vulnerable to traffickers and buyers. The traffickers are not accompanying the women while crossing the border. So it is difficult for the border police to arrest them. There are some female members in the trafficking gang, which helps to hide their identity. Initiatives to reduce poverty and promote gender equality are therefore of direct importance in efforts to combat trafficking.”

Trafficked victims are often subjected to cruel mental and physical abuse, including beating, rape, starvation, forced drug use, confinement and seclusion, in order to keep them in servitude. Once victims are brought to destination countries, their passports are often confiscated. Victims are forced to have sex, often unprotected, with large numbers of partners and to work unsustainably long hours. Many victims suffer mental breakdown and are exposed to sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. They are often denied medical care, and those who become sick are sometimes even killed.

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