The Organisation of Sex Work in Bangladesh

This paper problematises the dominance of the Northern gaze on sex work. Because the organisation of sex work takes place under different modes in Bangladesh, sex work premises have a unique structure which sets them apart from sex work in the Global Northern contexts. In particular, the dichotomy between private and public life, which has influenced the structure and organisation of sex work in many Northern contexts, as well as the regulation of sex work, is less pronounced in the Bangladeshi context. By documenting the culturally distinct and varied experiences of regional sex workers in Bangladesh, this paper emphasises the diversity among sex workers and argues that ignoring the culturally-specific conditions of the organisation of sex work risks universalising sex workers as perpetual victims. This paper highlights the importance of acknowledging the cultural variability of sex work to understand the diversity of sex workers’ experiences