EXTENSION OF THE TRAINING AND AWARENESS PLAN FOR THE RIGHT TO SEXUAL HEALTH IN BANGLADESH

Since 1997, Bangladesh has implemented a national HIV/STI policy to combat the spread of these diseases. This program has recently been strengthened with the goal of ending AIDS by 2030.
The town of Daulatdia is located 80 km west of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. It is situated at the intersection of three transportation routes: rail, road, and river. During the British colonial period, male workers of diverse origins and socioeconomic backgrounds passed through the town, which contributed to the growth of prostitution and drug use.

Since then, a community of women and girls has formed, and this activity persists in the region, completely excluding them from society. As a result, nearly 4,000 young women are forced into prostitution amidst the complete indifference of local authorities and beneficiaries. The living conditions for these women are appalling: no drinking water, no sanitation, no hygiene, no medical care, limited education, and widespread drug use.

Today, these women aim to improve their daily lives through safer sexual practices that protect their children and mitigate the high risks of infection and school dropout. This project, developed by the CS18 GK association, seeks to support, train, and raise awareness among 1,500 women from two prostitution sites in the nearby metropolis of Faridpur, promoting less dangerous sexual practices and enabling these young women to explore alternative career paths.