Beyond morality: Legalise sex trade to combat HIV

[Guest guest]

New Delhi: From GB Road in Delhi to Kamathipura in Mumbai, sex workers are

unanimous in the view that legalsing the trade will go a long in way in

combating exploitation.

A sex worker says, " Legalisation means less police harassment, so that is one

good thing that can come out of it. "

Another adds, " If they give us houses, we can work. Are they willing to give us

that? "

Illegal or not, GB Road in Delhi, Sonagachi in Kolkata and Kamathipura in Mumbai

are still India's red-light landmarks. And today as the flesh trade flourishes

upscale as well, it is even being advertised discreetly through newspapers.

Many say it's time to leave the moral debate behind and bring in laws to

safeguard sex workers from exploitation by their clients, their pimps and even

the police.

Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee member, Samarjit Jana says, " It will put sex

workers in a better position where they will be able to negotiate with different

stakeholders like police, local goons and others who really exploit them. "

Recognition would also help the anti-HIV/AIDS movement. Brazil did this and

today Brazil's anti-HIV program, which uses sex workers to hand out condoms, is

among the most successful in the world. On the other hand, South Africa, where

prostitution is illegal, remains the HIV capital of the world.

Another Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee member, Mahashweta Mukherjee says, " If

prostitution is legalised, then there will be a more organised approach to

tackling HIV. "

But not every one buys this theory.

A sex worker says, " These ID cards that they give us - will it give us dignity

or acceptance. We will still be treated in the same way. So what's the point of

legalising this? "

But right now, despite the law, it's tough to catch those who exploit sex

workers.

DCP South Delhi, HGS Dhaliwal says, " Even if you are able to find a sex worker,

and also a customer and even if you have a certain recovery of money, later on

to be able to prove that this money was delivered by such-and-such person to

such-and-such worker, becomes very difficult. "

To legalise or not is a tough call, but it is time to consider factors beyond

morality.

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