Should Prostitution Be Legalised?

[Guest guest]

Should Prostitution Be Legalised?

indiatimes.com

Prostitution has been a part and parcel of society down the ages. In the time of

the rajas and maharajas the courtesans had their own status in society. Certain

behavioural norms governed how the courtesans were treated and they too had

their own special clients/patrons, to whom they granted favours.

Under the British rule prostitution was made illegal and the trade went

underground but continued to flourish. Today it is rampant and has attached to

it many stigmas and taboos, besides being a nodal point of STD's (sexually

transmitted diseases) the most deadly being AIDS.

If prostitution was legalized – sexual health of sex workers could be better

regulated. More stringent measures could be taken against spread of AIDS and

various other venereal diseases.

It would also empower sex workers to have a right to choose their client. They

would not be forced into unwanted situations – as even after they have become

sex workers they have the right to take the protection of the law from unwanted

soliciting. It would also give more dignity to their profession.

Legalisation of prostitution is likely to bring down the rate of sexual crimes –

and a woman may safely work the streets of a city at night without the constant

fear and threat of being molested.

On the flip side it may be argued – this may possibly endanger the family

structure; if sex is freely and legally available outside the home.

So, what do YOU think? Should prostitution be legalized?

http://people.indiatimes.com/articleshow/825770.cms

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum members,

This refers to the debate on Legalisation of Prostitution in response to our

initiatives in this area.

PHO; an NGO known for its pioneering role to accord a status of 'Human being' to

sex workers, whole-heartedly supports the Governor's Initiative and state's move

to legalise prostitution.

PHO reasserts its 22 years old demand to legalise prostitution by licensing

system to help contain child prostitution, forced prostitution and Devadasi

system besides reducing atrocities by mafia and police. Legalisation could help

maintain theirhealth, free of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS.

Once linked to social security, it would give them a chance to quit whenever

they decide and also help their children see better light of the life. There is

no system that could be full-proof and each new system should be open for

correction (not Corruption). However, we could take preventive steps in advance,

if we do forsee any problems.

Though the ideal solution is total abolition of prostitution, a PHO Survey done

in Mumbai in 1984 among 126 women organisations, revealed that all of them

wanted 'prostitution' to continue, the reason - it's being a thermostat for the

other women'.

However, most women organisations treat sex workers as persona non-grate. Their

reactionary opposition to legalisation is wrong and unfounded. HIV prevalence

in the countries where prostitution is legalised, is well controlled. The Legal

Prostitution Unit of Nevada, USA made a statement at an AIDS conference, " Its

safer to have sex with a legal prostitute in Nevada than a house-wife " , as HIV

increased in housewives.

Developments in the city red-light areas during recent times show once again

that the most hapless and defenceless women- sex workers - are at receiving end.

Unfortunately ruthless actions of women activists challenge the very survival of

sex workers as citizens of India 57 years after its independence.

In a knee-jerk response to media stories, simulated raids on brothels ensued by

the police, followed by rescue, but neither rehabilitation nor reform.

Eventually, the rescued girls are back to sex work, sooner than later, become

further poorer entrapped in debts for paying huge sums to police and legal

battles. A photo Identity card issued to them is construed as illegal and

termed a license to sex work, when 'prostitution per se is not an illegal act'

in India.

Parallels between notions v/s reality vis-à-vis Sex Workers in Mumbai Were

studied/analysed by PHO and we found that the number of sex workers was

<20,000; steadily declining (from its estimated 100,000 in 1991 or prior);

Daily Clients/SW have come down to Average 2 per day (from 5/day earlier; SWs

are literally starving; HIV/AIDS among SWs in Mumbai is Stable, rather

decreasing; despite several Rescue operations there has been no concrete

efforts for Rehabilitation and Reform; and Licensing system will be the best

solution today.

Sex Workers are confined to cages and dirty lanes, exploited by pimps, procurers

and police; are victims of one-sided laws and life-threatening diseases with HIV

rate skyrocketing to 60%, with poor access to healthcare and no virtues for

their children. A major PHO achievement has been to provide succour to their lot

by making a globally acclaimed " Project Saheli " , to reduce the impact of AIDS

through peer-education and safer sex; and a marked reduction in new HIV

infections in Mumbai. However, in the process, nearly 50% of the city's

estimated 100,000 (1991) sex workers were sacrificed to AIDS

and 30% migrated elsewhere, many along with HIV.

Contrary to popular belief, there are less than 20,000 sex workers in Mumbai and

their business is dry, making their survival hand-to-mouth. Its time the sex

workers start the second freedom struggle- akin to the 'Salt Satyagriha' when

people had defied payment of 'tax on salt', they should defy 'police hafta'

(bribes).

PHO challenges those suggesting ban on prostitution, to start employing sex

workers at least in their offices, if not at homes.

Dr.Gilada

Peoples Health Organisation (India)

Municipal School Building, J.J. Hospital Compd, Mumbai-400008

Tel.(22)-23719020; Tele-Fax: 23864433; Web: www.aidsasia.info

E-mail:ihoaids@...