Trafficked to Daulatdia as a Child, Farida Parveen Now Fights for Human Rights

Farida Parveen was trafficked at the age of just 12 or 13. At an age when she should have been going to school with books in hand, she had to take shelter in the darkness of the Daulatdia brothel in Goalanda upazila of Rajbari. That experience of a lost childhood left a deep wound in her life, the report said.

But Farida did not accept her fate and give up there. She later turned that painful experience of her life into strength. That determination to return from darkness to light has made her a campaigner in the fight for human rights.

Farida's life began to turn in 2001. That year she started work as a peer educator at a social organisation called 'Payakt Bangladesh'. Working on health care, awareness and rights for the women of the brothel, she realised how many hundreds of women like her were silently enduring suffering every day.

From that urge, together with 10 others, she founded the 'Obhelito Mahila O Shishu Unnayan Sangstha' (Neglected Women and Children Development Organisation). She now serves as the organisation's president and works to protect the rights of the neglected women and children of the Daulatdia brothel.

Farida's struggle did not remain confined to herself. With her advice and companionship, nearly fifty women have left the darkness of the Daulatdia brothel and started a new life. Some of them chose normal family life, while others joined human rights and service work.

Women such as Jeli Akter and Debi have now returned to the mainstream of society and are living confident lives. At present, about 30 men and women connected with Farida's organisation are working in various NGOs and human rights organisations.

Alongside reducing health risks, creating awareness and establishing rights for the women of Daulatdia, Farida also works for the future of the children. She continues the fight so that children are not deprived of education and a normal upbringing because of their birth identity or family circumstances.

To raise the demands for the rights and health care of these marginalised women on the world stage, she has already taken part in meetings and seminars 10 times in four countries.

The report said Farida's journey is no longer just a local initiative; it has become a symbol of establishing the rights of neglected people.