Bangladesh is one of the few Muslim countries where prostitution is legal. The district of Tangail is home to Kandapara brothel, the oldest and second largest brothel in the country where it has existed for the last years.
German-based photojournalist Sandra Hoyn recently went to Kandapara to document the inside of the walled city. She shared what she saw with NextShark via email. I spent every day from morning till evening in the brothel and some days I forgot where I was.
Girls often come from poverty and are usually victims of trafficking. The most vulnerable stage is when a young sex worker enters the brothel at the beginning as a bonded girl, usually from 12 to 14 years.
The price of the service depends on the age and beauty of each girl, as well as how nice their rooms are. I admire that they manage their lives under these circumstances and do not give up. They are not just survivors or victims, they are fighting and enjoying their life in their own way. They are joking with each other, kidding the customers.
The girls are very lively and cheerful. Often they forget their sadness. They still have dreams. They want to earn enough money to give their children a good school education at least. They want them to have a better future than they did.
