30 Tragic, Beautiful Photos Of Teenage Prostitutes In Bangladesh

A brilliantly photographed series on the dangerous, grueling lives of teenage sex workers in Bangladeshi slums. Read more here.

1.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

Seventeen-year-old prostitute Hashi embraces a Babu, her "husband", inside her small room at Kandapara brothel in Tangail, a northeastern city of Bangladesh. Many young and inexperienced prostitutes have "lovers" or "husbands" who normally live outside the brothel, occasionally taking money and sex from them in exchange for security in this male dominated society. She earns about 800-1000 taka daily ($9.75 - $12.19) servicing around 15-20 customers every day. Hashi is one of hundreds of mostly teenage sex workers living a painful life of exploitation in the brothel.

2.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

Hashi shows Oradexon at Kandapara brothel in Tangail. Oradexon, a steroid used by farmers to fatten their cattle, is taken by prostitutes in order to gain weight and appear "healthier" and more attractive to clients.

3.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

Eleven-year-old Shefali gets her eyebrow threaded. Shefali was born in Kandapara brothel as her mother was also a prostitute. She has to serve around 20-25 customers per day. Shefali doesn't know how much she earns as her Madam takes away all of her income. In exchange she gets food three times in a day and some gifts occasionally.

4.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

Nineteen-year-old Lucky embraces her three-month-old son Riyad at Kandapara brothel in Tangail.

5.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

Hashi and her Babu.

6.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

Feet belonging to Hashi and her Babu.

7.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

Sixteen-year-old Maya applies lipstick in front of a customer inside her room at Kandapara.

8.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

Hashi stands in front of her small room.

9.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

Hashi talks to a customer as Maya waits to get a customer.

10.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

A customer jokes with Hashi as she tries to grab him into her room.

11.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

Hashi deals with a customer as Maya waits to get one.

12.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

13.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

Hashi smokes a cigarette before she serves a customer.

14.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

Maya waits for a customer.

15.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

Maya drinks from a pot after lunch.

16.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

Maya stands in the doorway of her room.

17.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

A portrait of a child is seen on the wall of Hashi's room.

18.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

Twelve-year-old Mukti applies makeup before serving a customer at a brothel in Faridpur.

19.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

Prostitutes apply makeup as they try to attract customers inside a brothel in Faridpur.

20.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

Fourteen-year-old Lipi waits for customers at a brothel in Faridpur.

21.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

A prostitute stands in front of a makeshift brothel by the river Padma in Faridpur.

22.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

A view of a prostitute's room at a brothel in Faridpur.

23.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

An open common toilet is seen at a brothel by the river Padma.

24.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

Maya talks on the phone inside her small room at Kandapara brothel in Tangail.

25.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

Hashi washes her hair.

26.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

27.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

Hashi stands in front of Kandapara brothel.

28.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

Hashi applies her makeup as she prepares for customers.

29.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

Hashi talks with a customer.

30.

Andrew Biraj / Reuters

Seventeen-year-old Nazma rests inside her small room with her child at a brothel in Faridpur, located in central Bangladesh.