Sexuality in Bangladesh

Brief on perceptions of sexuality in Bangladesh

Sexuality in Bangladesh is primarily influenced by religion and culture. The culture in Bangladesh is predominantly conservative and patriarchal. Several topics, including sex education, romantic relationship, and sexual behavior are considered taboo.

## Marriage

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See also: Marriage in Bangladesh

Arranged marriage is a prevalent cultural practice in Bangladesh. Families of the brides seek to arrange marriages with grooms that are employed, financially stable, and of reproductive age - with the concept being the basis of the Bangladeshi family system.[1][2][3] Bangladesh being largely socially conservative,[1][4] there is a strong sociocultural prohibition on love marriage,[5][6][7] which is a majority is critical of.[8] However, in recent times, romantic relationships and hence a potential openness to love marriage can be seen, if to a lesser extent, amongst the youth and/or the Urban population.[9]

Any discussion around sex and sexuality is considered a taboo. Bangladesh is a family-oriented Muslim-majority country with a strong socioeconomic class structure. Cultural discussion around romance is considered to be sinful, a social crime, or a form of perverted behavior. However, there is a pocket of tolerance and acceptance for romance in Bangladesh amongst certain social classes.[10]

## Sex education

[edit]

See also: Education in Bangladesh

Comprehensive sex education is critical for young people in Bangladesh as it equips them with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health.[11] Bangladesh has conservative sex education system in school-syllabus, and the majority of the school-teachers teach the chapter in a conservative way. Very often, the teachers skip the chapter in book which is about sex education.[12][13] Friendship with the opposite gender is discouraged in the society.[10] There are gender segregation in so many schools where making inter-gender friendship is very hard. Despite all these restrictions, moderate and modest friendships have always been accepted and appreciated by some urban societies.

## Pornography

[edit]

Main article: Pornography in Bangladesh

Watching, possessing, or producing of any kind of pornography is illegal in Bangladesh. A law against it was passed by the parliament in 2012; 244 pornographic sites and sites linked to adult content were blocked as per the rule.[14]

## Homosexuality

[edit]

Main article: LGBT rights in Bangladesh

Homosexual sexual behavior is outlawed in Bangladesh, as Section 377 of the Penal Code forbids anal or oral sex, regardless of the gender and sexual orientation of the participants.[15][16] Thus, even consensual heterosexual acts such as fellatio and anal penetration may be punishable under this law.[17][18] In 2009 and 2013, the Parliament of Bangladesh refused to overturn Section 377.[19] In 2014, the first LGBTQ magazine was launched in Bangladesh, called Roopbaan.[20] The same year, Bangladesh held its first Trans Pride parade.[21]

## Prostitution

[edit]

Main article: Prostitution in Bangladesh

Prostitution is legal since 2000, though the practice is rejected by society. Both female and male prostitution are found in brothels.[22] And, there are many male prostitutes in Bangladesh who are selling their bodies to women, these males are from different levels of society. Apart from female customers these male prostitutes also have male customers.[22] There are 14 registered brothels in this country which run legally under the supervision of local police authorities.[citation needed]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Young Bangladeshis more conservative than their elders, survey finds". Bdnews24.com (Opinion).
2. ^ "Marriage, family and tradition in Bangladesh". vsointernational.org.
3. ^ "Bangladesh-Culture: Marriage is a Family Decision". Inter Press Service. January 12, 1997.
4. ^ "Bangladeshi women walk out on unhappy marriages". La Croix. March 8, 2019.
5. ^ "To Love In Bangladesh". HuffPost. May 19, 2014.
6. ^ "Love, elopement, and all that". Dhaka Tribune (Opinion). February 12, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
7. ^ "Photographer Clicks Pic Of Couple Kissing In Rain. He Was Thrashed, Fired". NDTV. July 28, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
8. ^ "Couple, student commit 'suicide' in Dhaka". Bdnews24.com. July 19, 2015. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
9. ^ "People celebrate Valentine's Day". The Daily Star. February 14, 2019.
10. ^ a b Lewis 2011.
11. ^ Editorial, Team (February 17, 2023). "Sex Education in Bangladesh: Challenges and Opportunities". Neo Observer. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
12. ^ Mohammed Rubayet. "No alternative to sex education". Dhaka Tribune (Opinion).
13. ^ Shanum Sarkar, Robiah Arefin Ibn Mahmud (April 25, 2024). "The need for comprehensive sexuality education in our schools". The Daily Star (Bangladesh).
14. ^ "Govt blocks 244 porn sites". The Daily Star.
15. ^ "Sodomy Laws Around the World". 24 April 2007. Archived from the original on 8 August 2007. Retrieved 1 September 2007.
16. ^ Ashok Deb. "A text book case how sexuality is enforced upon in Bangladeshi society". lgbtbangladesh.wordpress.com. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
17. ^ "Bangladesh: Treatment of homosexuals including legislation, availability of state protection and support services". unhcr.org. Archived from the original on April 16, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
18. ^ "Bangladesh_Penal_Code_1860_Full_text.pdf (application/pdf Object)" (PDF). unodc.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 March 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
19. ^ Pawar, Yogesh. Bangladesh Refuses to Abolish Criminalisation of Same-Sex Ties; in Denial about its 4.5 Million-Strong LGBT Community, Dhaka Shoots Down the United Nations Human Rights Commission Recommendations., 2013. Print
20. ^ "First magazine for gays, lesbians launched in Bangladesh". NDTV. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
21. ^ Toppa, Sabrina (November 23, 2014). "In Photos: Bangladesh's Trans Pride Parade Was Massive and Fabulous". Vice News. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
22. ^ a b "Independent Appeal: Sex workers dicing with death in Bangladesh". The Independent.

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Lewis, David (2011). Bangladesh: Politics, Economy and Civil Society. Cambridge University Press.

## External links

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See also|

* Abortion-rights movement
* Adolescent sexuality
* Age of consent
* Decriminalization of sex work
* Dogging (sexual slang)
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* v
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Sexuality by country

Europe|

* Sexuality in Germany
* Women's sexuality in Francoist Spain

North America|

* Sexuality in the United States

South America|

* Sexuality in South America

Asia|

* Sexuality in Bangladesh
* Sexuality in China
* Sexuality in India
* Sexuality in Japan
* Sexuality in the Philippines
* Sexuality in South Korea

Africa|

* Sexuality in Africa
* Sexuality in Somalia

Historic|

* Sexuality in ancient Rome
* Homosexuality in ancient Greece

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