WUNRN
BANGLADESH - PROSTITUTES TAKE RISKY
STEROID TO LOOK OLDER & MORE APPEALING
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Bangladesh - Charities say the over-the-counter drug
Oradexon, also known as Dexamethasone, is taken by 90 percent of sex workers in
Kandapara and the other 14 legalized brothels across this impoverished South
Asian nation. It increases their appetite, making them gain weight rapidly and
giving the appearance that these poorly nourished teens are in fact healthy and
older - attracting clients who prefer girls with "curves". It also
helps sardarnis keep the police away. The legal age for sex work in Bangladesh
is 18. It also weakens the immune system and leaves patients more susceptible
to illnesses. There have been reports of young sex workers dying from over-use
of the drug.
Seventeen-year-old prostitute Hashi applies her makeup as she prepares for customers at Kandapara brothel in Tangail, a northeastern city of Bangladesh, March 5, 2012. Hashi 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 in a painful life of exploitation in Kandapara slum's brothel who take Oradexon , a steroid used by farmers to fatten their cattle, in order to gain weight and appear "healthier" and more attractive to clients. Picture taken March 5, 2012. REUTERS/Andrew Biraj
Sixteen-year-old
prostitute Maya stands in the doorway of her small room at Kandapara brothel in
Tangail, a northeastern city of Bangladesh, March 5, 2012. She earns about
300-500 taka per day ($3.66- $6.11) serving around 15-20 customers every day.
Maya's son Halim, a four-year-old child lives with her parents in another
Barisal. She cannot save money for her child as she has to pay a lot bills and debt.
Picture taken March 5, 2012. REUTERS/Andrew Biraj