City Desk :
The Sex Workers Network of Bangladesh has issued a 10-point demand urging the government to intervene and halt the oppression of female sex workers across the country, including in Dhaka.
The demands were outlined during a press conference held at Abdus Salam Hall of the National Press Club on Thursday afternoon, reports media.
Aleya Akter Lili, president of the Sex Workers Network of Bangladesh, read the written statement at the press conference. Lili highlighted recent incidents of sexual abuse against sex workers in various areas of Dhaka, including Jatrabari, the Court area, Shyamoli, Shaheed Minar, Mirpur Mazar Road, Farmgate, Asadgate, Uttara, Kuril, and Badda.
The 10 demands made at the press conference were:
l To bring perpetrators of violence against sex workers under legal jurisdiction and ensure prompt punishment.
l To ensure that relevant individuals and departments play an effective role in safeguarding sex workers.
l To provide local protection for sex workers by the local administration.
l To halt the eviction of brothels.
l To stop the misuse of the law by police against sex workers.
l To provide opportunities for sex workers’ children to grow up in a healthy, supportive, and mainstream environment.
l To ensure equal treatment for sex workers in terms of burial arrangements, without discrimination.
l To draw the attention of advisory bodies to the overall safety and security of sex workers.
l To address and stop the abuse and exploitation of sex workers, ensuring their basic human rights.
l To ensure proper implementation of laws to end all forms of violence and sexual harassment against women.