Workshop on Women in Prostitution

[Guest guest]

Workshop on Women in Prostitution: A Multi Dimensional Approach of

Intervention (February 7, 2002)

Centre for Women's Studies and Development

Faculty of Social Sciences

Banaras Hindu University.

Theme Outline:

Trafficking of women and children for prostitution, an issue of global

concern, incorporates both intra and inter country dimensions. It is

estimated that every year between 5000 and 7000 girls from Nepal

alone are trafficked into the red light districts in Indian cities.

Economic compulsions, low status of women, an upsurge in

international organised crime, sex tourism, inadequate legislation

and poor enforcement machinery are some of the factors that have

historically contributed to the phenomenon of institutionalisation of

prostitution. Even more alarming is the increase in the number of

childern involved in this trade. UNICEF estimates that worldwide 7

million children, mostly girls aged 10 -16 years, are caught up

in the sex trade. The situation is seen to be exacerbated in times of

war and natural disasters.

Opposition to prostitution has emanated on different levels. Apart

from moral and other reasons, it is held responsible for an alarming

increase in sexually transmitted diseases and crimes. Consequently

several attempts have been made to control, suppress or abolish

prostitution by law, force custom or reform. The recent happenings in

the red light area of Shivdaspur, Varanasi, is one such example of

intervention.

The objective of the workshop is to understand the root causes and

processes that trap women and children into the sex trade. It seeks

to unravel the ways in which such exploitation of women assumes an

institutionalised form in society. Viewing 'prostitutes' as a social

menace often obfuscates the agony and the hidden nexus of

perpetrators behind prostitution.

The women engaged in prostitution constitute only one link in the

long and multi-level chain of exploiters and exploitation. What leads

to condemnation of the women and not the customer of the prostitute,

the agents and the intermediaries? What should be the role of the

state and the civil society in dealing with this issue? What should

be the approach for rehabilitation and reintegration into the

mainstream society. Finally, how can the local responses and

struggles be linked to national and global politics?

The issues may be classified into the following four groups:

Trafficking for Prostitution -Its Root causes and the Present Scenario

Dynamics of Institution of Prostitution Legal Aspects Solutions and

Reintegration - Need for an Informed Approach

For more information please contact: Prof. Meenakshi Arora,

Coordinator, Center for Women's Studies & Development, Banaras Hindu

University, Varanasi 221005 Tel: 0542-316770;

e-mail: meenasid@...

Dr. Ranjana Sheel, Research Officer,

Center for Women's Studies & Development, Banaras Hindu University,

Varanasi 221005 Tel: 0542-316978; e-mail: sheel301@...

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