Special Report: Facing severe river erosion, repeated natural disasters, and the impact of global warming, more than a hundred families of Banisanta are now in an existential crisis. Despite shifting their homes countless times and retreating further back from the river, the families have no option left. At present, they are living on the broken embankment along the Pashur River. But water surrounds them on all sides. One could say the hundred-plus homes of these families are floating on water. As a result, at any time, a big wave or natural disaster could completely wipe out the 350 residents of the settlement.
With the establishment of Mongla Port, Banisanta brothel was born around 1954. At one time, it was recognized as the largest brothel in the country. But after multiple disasters and erosion, the number of residents and sex workers has fallen to the lowest point.
Most recently, in May 2024, Cyclone Remal devastated Banisanta brothel, destroying 100 percent of the houses. Although the residents did not receive enough support, they somehow rebuilt their shelters by taking loans and borrowing money. But disaster after disaster continues to deny them a life of peace.
Razia Begum Rani, the brothel’s leader, has lived in this settlement since 1986. She said they are now ruined after facing multiple disasters. Accepting fate, she sees no option other than to be swallowed by the river.
She further said that 115 sex workers live in the brothel. Including men, elderly, and children, the total population is 350. For the survival of the residents, during the previous government she worked tirelessly and got a project passed for constructing block embankments along the river. But a local Member of Parliament transferred the project to his own area. After such an incident, the residents of the brothel lost morale.
According to Razia Begum, if the damages caused by disasters could have been prevented, the sex workers could have left prostitution and engaged in other professions. But because of repeated relocation and reconstruction, nearly all of them have fallen into debt of 200,000 to 300,000 taka. Failing to repay these loans, many women are forced to remain in prostitution against their will.
In 2013, under the supervision of the Water Development Board, a Chinese company constructed an embankment along the Pashur River. But when erosion began in 2017, no initiatives were taken to repair it. In June 2018, the embankment collapsed, flooding several villages and leaving more than 5,000 residents trapped in water.
Around 50 children live in the brothel. Many of them study in local primary schools. To ensure their education, Razia Begum applied to the Deputy Commissioner for a school and shelter home. She said, “When the application was approved, the secretary from the ministry came and inaugurated the school and shelter home. But since the local member and Member of Parliament were not invited, the project was cancelled.”
For the health and protection of sex workers, NGO PSTC is working in Banisanta. The organization regularly conducts HIV tests and other health checkups. It also ensures sanitary napkins, primary treatment, condoms, and essential medicine.
Dr. Dolly Sarkar, assigned by PSTC for Banisanta, said: “We recently conducted HIV checkups for all sex workers. The result was ‘zero.’ Moreover, 100 percent of the sex workers here use condoms and sanitary napkins.”
She further said that a health center has been set up in the settlement for health services. If anyone feels sick or needs health advice, they come here.
Community leader Razia Begum Rani said that all past governments have supported them adequately. Even now, they receive different types of government support. NGOs are also standing beside them. “Only one problem does not let us live in peace. Our entire settlement is being swallowed by the river. Any night, the embankment could collapse, and we will be wiped out,” she added.
She claimed that only a block embankment can save the homes, lives, and existence of Banisanta’s hundred-plus families. If blocks are installed, residents will also be freed from the expense of relocating their houses two to three times every year. In that way, many sex workers will be able to shift into dignified professions in society.
Md. Ashraful Alam, Executive Engineer of Khulna Water Development Board-2, said: “I do not have information on such a situation. I will check and see what can be done.”
Caught between natural disasters and social stigma, the lives of uprooted, homeless women in Banisanta brothel, built on the bank of the Pashur River beside Mongla Port, remain trapped. Without urgent action to resolve the crisis of river erosion, the name of Banisanta brothel may soon become only a part of history.
Publication Date: 19 August, 2025
এই আর্টিকেলটি বাংলায় পড়তে চাইলে এখানে ক্লিক করুন
