Impact of education on sex workers and their children: case studies from Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, sex workers and their children are in a situation of exclusion where they are denied of even the most basic human rights. This article is based on a recent research carried out to explore the impact of education on sex workers and their children’s lives by gathering evidence on social exclusion and child abuse or protection in the context of their lives. The study focused on how education could be a vehicle for them to break the vicious cycle of exploitation. This was a mixed method interpretative study which employed qualitative and quantitative approaches. Quantitative data was generated through a questionnaire and qualitative data was generated through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Data was collected from different research participants such as sex workers, sex workers' children, teachers of sex workers’ children and NGO workers working in the research site. Thematic and descriptive statistics were used for data analysis to understand the challenges and barriers faced by sex workers and their children in their educational aspirations. The life of sex workers and their children is marginalised by the mainstream society. Though it is very difficult to break the vicious cycle of exploitation, education may be a stepping stone for them to create a better future. However, sex workers and their children need income generating vocational and technical education to earn and support their family. In the implication section of the article, policy recommendations have been made in order to achieve Education For All (EFA) targets and Millennium Development Goals (MDG), and to provide a second chance for these vulnerable people to have a better life.