Editor’s Note: Jeremy Fokkens is a self-taught photographer from Calgary, Canada in both mediums of film and digital photography. Jeremy travels extensively capturing images while fulfilling his appetite for adventure, cultures, and his love for portraying people around the world. He hopes to inspire others through his imagery and story telling from around the world. Below he shares with us his most recent encounters in Pabna, Bangladesh.
Bornna & Lobani
On the bus to Pabna I met two fantastic Bengali’s who offered to take me around the town of Pabna by getting me access to anything I so curiously decide to photograph. In my previous blog post you had the opportunity to see inside the mental institution where Reza and Licholn were able to volunteer their time and them-selves helping me gain the access I needed. Reza and Licholn also work for a local initiative where basic health education, STD testing/treatment, condoms, and support is offered to the thousands of sex workers (8,000-10,000) that call Pabna and the surrounding area home. Lighthouse supports woman,men, and children involved in the sex trade offering free services for sexual education, psychological support (counselors), and treatment for any basic medical attention.
This blog post is dedicated to the woman and children that are continually being exploited around the world through trafficking, prostitution, and abuse. This is a topic that has always interested me. I do not know exactly what specifically it is about this topic that interests me but I can not help but think how sex workers have no alternative choice in a life when there are no other options available.
Lincholn
One evening Reza, Licholn, and I were walking through one of the markets after dinner talking about the organization they work for. Suddenly, a woman came up to the two of them and started enthusiastically joking with them. She was short, wearing a beautiful dark maroon Sari that was covered in sequence and gem stones. Her hair was beautifully curled and her make-up done as if she was about to take part in the next up and coming Bollywood film. Suddenly Reza opens his bag and hands this woman what looked like to be about 20-30 condoms. After the three of them saw my reaction they immediately started laughing and told me that she was a very close friend, she was also a sex worker in Pabna.
This woman was smiling, laughing, and I could not help but notice how confident she carried herself through her posture, body language, and how open she was open about her sexuality in a Muslim society as she joked around with the three of us, Reza obviously doing the translating. My curiosity got the best of me and I couldn’t help but wanting to seize an opportunity asking her if she would be open to an interview, followed by having her portrait taken, and if she knew any other woman that would be open to this suggestion. Without hesitation, tilting her head to the side with a cheeky smile letting me know she would be more than happy, not before expressing how excited she was to get all dulled up for a photo-shoot and having her photograph taken. We agreed on a time, date, locations, we then said our goodbyes, and parted ways until the interviews the following day.
Reza
The day of the interview, Lobani (Woman I met at the night market), Reza, Licholn, Bornna (Lobani’s friend and sex worker), and I went to a guesthouse where the owner of the guesthouse gave us a meeting room free of charge. When we entered the room there were couches and chairs surrounding one main table in the center with two windows offering ample enough light to take photographs. I briefed Reza and Licholn before the interview on what I was going to ask Bornna and Lobani and what I needed from them in regards to translating. As always they were SUPER awesome, supportive, and cooperative.
I sat Lobani and Bornna down and told them what my intentions were behind the interviews, asking them to answer the questions honestly, and to not feel obligated to answer or talk about anything they felt uncomfortable with. I wanted them to be as comfortable and open with me as much as they would allow me to.
When I first met Bornna she had a stone cold sarcastic attitude about her. She was very direct and to the point. She walked with confidence and would speak her mind without hesitation to anyone her challenged her, including men. I found loyal characteristics in her personality surviving on her “treat me as how you want to be treated” attitude or you will feel this woman’s wrath…. Literally.
Lobani
At first glance Lobani is very short in stature with curves similar to Aretha Franklin. Her eyes are bright allowing her to smile with her eyes like a shy eight year old with a subtle carefree softness to her personality. I found her a bit mysterious yet her smile and child like attitude could melt anyone’s soul with pure love.
The interviews lasted about 1.5 hours, which included a list of questions that I asked both Lobani and Bornna.
The following text will go through the interview so you have an idea of what was asked and how they responded.
LOBANI INTERVIEW:
How old are you?
L-I am 32 years old.
Are you married?
L-I was once married but my husband left me. He left me for another woman when I was 19.
Do you have any children?
L-I do not have any children.
How long have you been a sex worker?
L-Ten years.
Lobani immediately breaks down and we take ten minutes so she can regain her composure.
Where are your parents?
L-My parents have passed on.
Who are the men that come to you for sex?
L-Police, politicians, husbands, NGO executives, charity workers, and single men.
Where do you live?
L-I live alone in town and usually every two months or so I have to find a new place to live, as my landlord does not want a prostitute living in his building.
How much are you able to earn from each man that comes to you for sex?
L-I make on average about 300-500 taka per session ($3.50-$6.50) it works out to be around 10,000 Taka per-month ($125.00)
Do you see yourself getting married again?
L-No
Why not?
L-I have lost faith in ALL men, and I will never trust another men as long as I am alive.
Bornna
Bornna Interview
How old are you?
B-I am 27 years old.
Were you ever married?
B-My husband left me just like Lobani’s husband left her for another woman.
Do you have any children?
B-I do, her name is Shonile and she is nine years old.
How long have you been a sex worker?
B-Eight years.
How often do men come to you for sex?
B-It depends; some months and weeks are busier than others. It is never consistent it’s always up and down.
Where do you live?
B-I live with my mother.
Does she know you’re a sex worker?
B-NO.
What would your mother do or how would she react if she found out about your situation?
B-…(Making a choking action with her hands).
Have you re-married?
B-No and I will never get married again.
Have you ever suffered from any physical abuse from the men that come to you for sex?
B-Every week.
What exactly do these men do to you?
B-Spit on me, kick me, punch me, call me names, and rape me when I don’t want to give them sex.
How many times have Lobani and you been raped?
B-It happens about twice a week. Sometimes more, sometimes less. On some occasions groups of men will come where only one person commits to payment and the rest of them will rape me.
What do you Lobani and Bornna hope for in life?
B-We pray for when life will get better, to stop doing things we are ashamed of, to live a life with happiness.
Tags: Bengladesh, Gender Equality, Jeremy Fokkens, Pabna, prostitution, sex trafficking, sex workers, VAW
These stories give me so much hope for the future! That you are there (literally half way around the globe) at Sure 24, and that so many others are doing work around the world in ways similar to this is beautiful. Education is key, love is paramount! I’m grateful for this blog, for your telling the stories through the girls and including us in this journey. Many people are asking what kind of support can we provide?
Thanks for the encouragement! I will be answering your question in the next post, coming in the next couple days. Stay tuned, and thanks for showing solidarity for this cause!
What a wonderful opportunity for these young ladies to learn from each other. Emily is building a bond that will last a lifetime. Thank you for the glimpse into such a different way of life. Although the hope for a brighter future is universal, for these young ladies who have overcome so much in their young lives, it us much more significant. Keep on the good work!
The world is thirsty for this kind of compassion. Its difficult to know that for every girl’s story I read here there are hundreds of others going untold, unseen, unaided. This work is filled with beginnings for which we can all be grateful. Each story is a call for our participation in any way possible.
Emily-I applaud the work that you and the Sure 24 crew are doing to improve the lives of those young women over there. That you chose to take this assignment tells me a great deal about your resolve and strength of character. Hopefully, I’ll be able to hear your stories when you get back stateside. Stay safe and continue the good work…..Lee
Em,
Katie just informed me about this blog of yours and the amazing stories she’s been reading. Wow Emily, this is inspiring beyond words that you would be there in Kenya lending your helping hand to those in such need. I want to throw my arms around each one of them and spare them of their struggles. YOU are doing that!! Their lives will be forever changed because of you and your group’s efforts and I applaud you from the bottom of my heart. It must be a profound experience for you and one that I look so forward to you sharing with us when you return. If you can think of anything we could do to lend our hands, please ask. We miss you and appreciate you. Our love, Wendy and Corbett
Emily,
How wonderful that you can be half way around the world doing the things you are doing and experiening a life filled with learning, adventure and compassion. I’ve enjoyed your blog, so grateful to Judy for sending me the link! Both girl’s stories are filled with a sadness that no child should have to face.
I will definitely check back.
Ana Hall