Tasnim Jannat* and Hema Letchamanan
Abstract:
The children of sex workers are vulnerable because they face multiple forms of exploitation such as human trafficking, child labor including sexual exploitation and being forced into criminal activities as well as lack of access to education, and a safe place for shelter. This study identifies the challenges children of sex workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh face in accessing education. It also explores the role of the safe home in responding to the educational needs of these children. A qualitative research methodology was employed in this exploratory study. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 children of sex workers aged 6-17 years who live in a safe home and the person who runs the safe home. Findings from this study show that not all children living in the safe home attend schools or learning centers At the time of the interview, it was found that a few of these children have gotten married. They were aged between 13 and 17. Girls are more vulnerable because there is a higher risk of them being coerced, usually by their mothers, into sex work. Children of sex workers also often do not have the necessary documents needed to enroll in school or these documents do not include the name of the father. This becomes a hindrance in registering for a place in school. It is also one of the reasons the children get bullied or isolated, which leads to them not attending school or dropping out. In light of these findings, the study suggests that the safe home plays a crucial role in the development of these children, including their education, and provides a safe space for the children to grow.
Keywords: Access to education, Bangladesh, children of sex workers, educational needs, safe home