Tuhin Sarwar :
Over the past fifteen years, thousands of Bangladeshi women have fallen victim to shadowy trafficking networks that transport them into India’s red-light districts. From rural villages in Sylhet, Noakhali, and Madaripur, young women—often the sole breadwinners—are lured by promises of legitimate employment, only to find themselves trapped in exploitation, abuse, and crushing debt. Sustained by economic desperation, weak law enforcement, and organized trafficking rings, this crisis has persisted from 2010 through 2025 with alarming consistency.
Over the last decade and a half, the trafficking of Bangladeshi women into India has escalated into a complex humanitarian crisis. According to reports from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), roughly 5,000 to 7,000 Bangladeshi women are trafficked into India annually. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International confirm that the majority of these victims are aged 18 to 30, making them particularly vulnerable to coercion due to poverty and societal pressures. Families desperate for financial relief are often exploited, as traffickers promise lucrative employment and brighter futures.
Rural districts in Bangladesh are particularly fertile grounds for this exploitation. High unemployment, low wages, and limited legal employment push women toward precarious choices. Data from Bangladesh’s Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) and the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) indicate that between 2010 and 2025, approximately 70,000 to 90,000 women were trafficked—predominantly from marginalized and rural communities where local brokers actively operate. The victims’ journey is facilitated by a well-organized network of local and international intermediaries who exploit legal loopholes and weak enforcement mechanisms across borders.
The trajectory of trafficking has remained persistently alarming. Between 2010 and 2015, UNODC data records roughly 25,000 women trafficked. From 2016 to 2020, IOM reports estimate 30,000 to 35,000 victims, while from 2021 to 2025, the numbers stabilized at an average of 5,000 to 7,000 annually. COVID-19 restrictions temporarily slowed cross-border movements, but traffickers adapted quickly, maintaining their networks and operations.
Economic incentives for traffickers are immense. Brokers earn between 500,000 and 1,000,000 BDT per woman, generating millions annually. Survivors report widespread physical abuse, sexual exploitation, and forced labor, with 60–70% enduring continuous harm. Urban centers such as Kolkata, Delhi, and regions in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have become hubs for this illicit trade, facilitating the ongoing exploitation of women.
The human toll is poignantly captured in survivor narratives. Mumtaz, who requested anonymity, recalls: “I was the only breadwinner for my family. The broker promised a good job, but as soon as I arrived in Kolkata, I was forced to work in a factory under terrible conditions.” Shamila, another survivor, described her ordeal: “There was no food, no water, and no opportunity to rest. The police or administration provided no help. We were completely on our own.” These testimonies reveal not only the personal trauma endured but also the broader social consequences, including family debt, stigma, and community dislocation.
Legal frameworks exist in both Bangladesh and India to counter trafficking. Bangladesh’s Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act (2012) and the Overseas Employment and Migrants Act (2013) are designed to protect vulnerable populations. Yet enforcement remains weak, prosecutions are rare, and corruption undermines systemic safeguards. In India, regulatory oversight of red-light districts is often ineffective, as documented by Amnesty International. Weak border oversight, inadequate visa checks, and limited surveillance allow traffickers to operate with near impunity.
International responses, though well-intentioned, have had limited impact. UNODC, IOM, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International have issued policy recommendations to strengthen law enforcement, enhance awareness, and improve reintegration programs. Bilateral agreements between Bangladesh and India exist but face implementation gaps. Eurostat and ILO data show that despite international pressure and some improvements in border management, outcomes remain inconsistent and insufficient.
Reintegration poses critical challenges for returnees. Women who are rescued or repatriated often carry untreated psychological trauma from abuse, forced labor, or sexual assault. Many confront social stigma at home, with communities labeling them “failures,” further isolating them. Families remain burdened by the financial debts accrued during trafficking. Although IOM’s reintegration programs provide psychosocial support, vocational training, and small business assistance, these initiatives reach only a fraction of the women in need. Alarmingly, nearly 40% of returnees attempt migration again within two years, perpetuating cycles of vulnerability.
Addressing this crisis requires multi-layered interventions. Strengthening preventive laws, improving border oversight, and dismantling trafficking networks are essential. Educational campaigns targeting rural communities can empower women and families to recognize the risks and avoid exploitative schemes. Expanding legal employment opportunities abroad and promoting income-generating programs domestically could reduce reliance on illicit migration pathways. Comprehensive reintegration programs—including trauma counseling, vocational training, and social rehabilitation—are crucial for breaking cycles of exploitation.
The trafficking of Bangladeshi women into India’s red-light districts is a humanitarian crisis with far-reaching social, economic, and legal ramifications. From rural villages in Bangladesh to urban centers across India, lives continue to be lost or irreparably harmed. Each statistic represents not only a violation of individual rights but also a failure of national and international safeguards. Without urgent reform, enhanced cross-border cooperation, and survivor-centered solutions, the cycle of exploitation will persist, exacting a human toll that spans generations.
Tuhin Sarwar — Bangladeshi investigative journalist & author, writing for The Observer & global outlets. Founder of Article Insight. Focus: human rights, Rohingya crisis & climate change. 🌐 tuhinsarwar.com