Mental Health Support for Sex Workers in the Face of Climate Driven Displacement and Social Stigma in South Asia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/sajssh.2026.7203Keywords:
Climate-driven displacement, sex workers, mental health, social stigma, South AsiaAbstract
Climate-induced displacement and persistent social stigma present an intensifying public health catastrophe for sex workers in South Asia, significantly impairing their mental health. This Systematic Literature Review examines the interrelationship of environmental, social, and legal vulnerabilities, the consequent mental health burden, and significant barriers to accessing support. The review, based on 30 sources, of which the majority were peer-reviewed (18) and Grey Literature articles (12), finds that climate-induced disasters exacerbate pre-existing marginalisation, especially in countries like Bangladesh and Nepal. This leads to higher rates of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and this form of substance use disorders, with one study conducted in Chittagong city of Bangladesh disclosed that 38.6% of female sex workers were diagnosed with a mental disease. Social stigma is one of the most pervasive barriers to care and can be organised into a multi-layered model of Structural, Symbolic, Experiential and Internalised Stigma. Furthermore, structural barriers like the criminalisation of sex work actively maintain healthcare exclusion. What works is community-based, peer-activist models and holistic rehabilitation approaches, along with unyielding demands for legal decriminalisation. The systematic literature review highlights the need for an urgent, rights based and integrated mental health approach to address climate vulnerability in combination with social exclusion.
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