Trafficking survivor Irani’s enslavement ends
Irani* now 19, a Bangladeshi girl, was trafficked into Nerul Mumbai via the border port of Benapole town in Jessore District in 2011. A the time she was just 15 and became enslaved in prostitution.
Irani's family lived a hand-to-mouth existence, trying everything they could to defeat poverty. Her parents separated, leaving Irani and her brother Sagor in desperate need.
In those bad days, both Irani and Sagor dropped out of school and they were hungry all the time. Leaving Irani and Sagor in Jessore, their mother Anowara traveled to Dhaka and took a job in an apparel factory.
In those bad days, both Irani and Sagor dropped out of school and they were hungry all the time.
Soon after her mother left, Irani was promised a good job by her friend Jhorna. The job was in Dhaka, but would enable her to help her mother and little brother. Her friend warned Irani to keep the job offer a secret, and one morning they left and started the journey to Dhaka.
But, instead of going to Dhaka, they went to the border port of Benapole town and traveled to the Mumbai red-light district. For five months, Jhorna, who worked at a dance bar, employed Irani as a house cleaner and pushed her to wash clothes, do the dishes, and all the other household chores.
One evening, Jhorna took Irani to the dance bar, where liquor is served and clients spend most of their time drinking. In this atmosphere, men tease girls while dancing, shower bar girls with currency notes, or hire girls for prostitution.
Irani refused to dance, but Jhorna dragged her into a rented room, beat her brutally, and then allowed her to be raped repeatedly to make Irani 'fit' for the trade.
Irani’s dance bar life started and the bar keepers named her Muskaan, which means the most beautiful girl in existence. She was forced to take a minimum of five customers per night (with an average of 10). She never received a single penny.
Irani’s dance bar life started. She was forced to take a minimum of five customers per night. She never received a single penny.
Six months later, learning of the illegal business, police sent their officials as undercover customers. The dance bar was raided. Jhorna was arrested and Irani finally rescued.
Indian Police identified Irani as a minor girl and they invoked the stringent act of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences. Irani was sent to Dongri Remand Home for 45 days and then to Deonar Government Special Rehabilitation Center, where she stayed for 15 months before being repatriated.
World Vision’s Child Safety Net Project staff received 11 survivors, including Irani, from the rehabilitation center on August 13, 2014.
Photo: Irani shows her sewing skill to a project staff. After receiving the support from project, she hopes for better future.
Irani, along with the other girls, were sent to Dhaka Ahsania Mission shelter home. Along with food, counseling and life-skills education, medical support, and clothing, Irani received training on garments machine operation.
World Vision paid all of the costs, and after her completion of training she was provided a sewing machine and heifer from World Vision Bangladesh, Child Safety Net Project to ensure her rehabilitation and a stable financial future.
After four months stay in the shelter home, she returned home to her mother and got a job with Ayesha Abed Foundation- Jessore, where her mother also works - walking distance from their residence.
Irani and her mother earn 8000 taka ($100) per month and are able to afford what they need now. Anowara saves 400 taka ($5.19) per month for her children’s welfare in a local bank.
Irani's brother Sagor is too old to enroll in school again, so instead he receives training on cars at a local garage. Anowara dreams her children will not suffer as she did and they will be responsible.
“My training helps me to fresh start my life again,” thanks Irani. She recently got married and now leading a happy, and stable life.
Story and photo by Child Safety Net Project, World Vision Bangladesh
* Name changed for protection