Sexuality in Bangladesh

Arranged marriage is a cultural practice that is common place in Bangladesh. Families of the bride seek to arrange marriages with grooms that are employed, financially stable and of reproductive age. This type is the main base of the Bangladeshi family-system.[3][6][7] As Bangladesh is based on social conservatism,[3][8] there is a strong social and cultural prohibition on love marriage,[9][10][11] and it is viewed negatively by a large portion of the people,[12] though love marriages can be seen to a lesser extent.[13] The situation is changing daily as girls and boys in cities and villages, are getting acquainted through social media, which leads them to a love relationship, which may result in marriage. Nowadays love marriage is somewhat accepted by both families. However, if the family is too conservative, difficulties arise.

Any discussion around sex and sexuality is considered taboo in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a family-oriented, moderate, Muslim country with a strong, socio-economic class structure. Cultural discussion around romance has been mostly negative to-date. Many Bangladeshis consider romance to be sin, a social crime, or form of perverted behavior. However, there is a pocket of tolerance and acceptance for romance in Bangladesh amongst certain social classes.[14]

Most Bangladeshi people are adherents of Islam. For this reason, most follow Islamic sexual jurisprudence, which supports sexual acts between spouses only and focuses mainly on procreation.[2]

Bangladesh has a sex education system in schools, though a majority of the teachers teach the subject in a conservative way. Sometimes, they skip these chapters.[15] However, there is also an opposite scenario. Many female teachers give friendly support to female students' sexual problems. Inter-gender friendship is discouraged/prohibited in society.[14] There are restrictions of boys sitting next to girls in Islamic schools. Despite of all these restrictions, moderate, modest friendships have always been accepted and appreciated by society.

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 contents were blocked as per the rule.[16]

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.[17][18] Thus, even consensual heterosexual acts such as fellatio and anal penetration may be punishable under this law.[19][20] In 2009 and 2013, the Bangladeshi Parliament refused to overturn Section 377.[21] In 2014, the first LGBTQ magazine was launched in Bangladesh, called Roopbaan.[22] The same year, Bangladesh held its first Trans Pride parade.[23]

Prostitution is legal since 2000, though the practice is rejected by society. Both female and male prostitution is found in brothels.[24] There are 14 registered brothels in this country which run legally under the supervision of local police authorities.

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