ORIGIN AND HISTORY

Inter-dependence is the cause of social life. Man cannot satisfy his needs himself. There is one service that invariably needs interaction between two individuals. This is sex. Sex work or prostitution became the first profession. This is rightly called oldest profession.

Prostitution is considered heinous but they had a place of honor. They were known as Nagar Vadhu (City wife). The custom of Devdasis (maids of god)- a sort of religious prostitution is still practiced at some places.

.MARRIAGE – A SORT OF PROSTITUTION

Even marriage is a sort of prostitution. The main consideration in marrying girls is their livelihood. Husbands assure their wives of life long financial support whereas a prostitute looks for support from innumerable customers. So, basically, a married woman is a prostitute with one life long customer as in male dominated society, a woman has no independent means of livelihood.  However this is not true of women of independent means entering marriage as equal life partner.

PROSTITUTES’ PROFESSION NOT HEINOUS

The profession of prostitution is considered heinous because the earning is out of sale of body service. Figuratively, immoral use of any skill is called prostitution. For example, a journalist or a lawyer indiscriminately working for money without any regard to social responsibility is prostituting his talent. Significantly, the prostitutes only use their physical charms and do nothing unsocial like the prostitute-journalists/lawyers.  A prostitute uses skill to satisfy customers. There is nothing inherently immoral in the profession.

We cannot brush aside the useful role played by the sex workers. They provide service to a large number of people away from family for various reasons. Not only sex, they also entertain by dance and music. We can easily understand the value of their service in old times when there were no means of entertainment like movies, television etc. The tawaifs (prostitutes) at Lucknow are well known for traditional dance called Muzra. They got due recognition by the rulers.

GENDER ISSUE

There is also gender issue involved. Generally the sex workers are women. There are also some men called male prostitutes or Gigolos catering to sex needs of women for money. This is so because in male dominated society men have more economic power and do not need to earn their livelihood by satisfying women’s lust.

SOCIAL JUSTICE & PROSTITUTES

The oldest profession cannot be eradicated because people need their services. Even those who condemn the sex workers secretly visit them. The Hindi film Amar Prem gave expression to this fact.  The main issue is exploitation of sex workers by middlemen, brothel keepers and law enforcing agencies.

LAW AND PROSTITUTION

Prostitution is not unlawful per se.  Trafficking in women and soliciting prostitution is unlawful. So, providing sex for money individually without involvement of pimps is perfectly legal. Brothel keeping is illegal. As the connected activities are illegal, it becomes impossible to carry on the sex work without breaking some law. In these circumstances, the sex workers face harassment and exploitation.  They have no social security and health care.

LEGALIZE AND REGULATE SEX WORKERS

The remedy lies in legalizing and regulating the sex work rather than acting on fake moral grounds. The sex work should be treated perfectly legal and marketing as well as soliciting permitted. This will pave way for giving proper health care and financial security to the sex workers. They need as much dignity; financial independence, social security and health care as others. Their dependants also need adequate protection and education facilities. As regards unfair practices, every profession is similar. The doctors, lawyers, traders, manufacturers, restaurants, sweets manufacturers and commit irregularities and harm public health and interests. They are also regulated but not condemned as unlawful or heinous.  The sex work should be similarly allowed as lawful but should be regulated and all concerned be protected against exploitation. When we talk of women empowerment and gender equality, the sex workers who are largely women definitely need protection. Otherwise all talk of social justice is fake and mere slogan.