The Story of Indian Brothels

                Yes you read it right its the story of brothels.  A Dictionary defines brothel is a place which houses prostitutes. But I believe it’s a place where destitute people live. 

                The Documentary ‘Born Into Brothels’ opens with an interview of  9 year old kid, kochi born to a prostitute.  kochi expresses her desire to get out this line and have a good life. You can find thousands of kids like Kochi in Red Districts of India who are searching for a ticket to get out of this misery.

                Prostitution is not something which emerged recently. Its one of the oldest profession of the world. It dates back to era of Babylonians. Even our Indian history speaks about devadasi system and brothel houses across kingdoms. But these houses don’t have king’s patronage any more. With advent of democracy in India the status of Prostitutes in the society got degraded further .The ministry of Woman and child development reports that there are 2.8 million sex workers in India out of which 36% of them are forced into flesh trade by 18 years.  Statistics also say that by 2025 in India every one child of 5 girls will be a child prostitute.

              
 It’s not the women who makes choice to lead life as a prostitute. In majority of cases Parents, husbands; relatives force woman and children into prostitution and work as pimps for easy bucks. There are many incidents where woman are sold to brothel by traffickers who lure them with the hope of employment or give false hope in the name of love. Of course there is also increase in College students indulging into prostitution to lead luxurious life. We can’t also deny high profile prostitution which involves demy gods. College students and models are involved to support their luxurious life.  But what this country is concerned now is about prostitution out of poverty. 

Prostitution is definitely an Evil. It’s a torture for women who are into it. But they have no choice other than to stay in it, as society won’t accept them back as a normal human being. It’s a open secret that brothels houses exploit sexual workers by under paying them and forcing them to live in harsh environment. These sex workers stay in brothels not by choice but by force.  Prostitution also involves drugs and illicit liquor .Prostitutes are forced into drug abuse by customers. This is further deteriorating the health condition of sex traders. Sex workers can’t seek help of any government or court as their employment is not legal

Many Indians believe that prostitution is illegal India.The truth is prostitution is legal and our law allows women to exchange sex for her material needs. But maintaining brothels, pimping, seducing customers, indulging in sexual activity close to public places are punishable offenses in India.Constitution of India guarantees its citizens protection from exploitation and from human trafficking. Government of India took many steps to suppress prostitution. It  signed UN convention on immoral trafficking in 1950. As a result ‘suppression of Immoral trafficking ‘(SITA) act was passed by in 1956. This was further amended in 1986 to create Prevention of Immoral Trafficking (PITA) act which forces government to provide rehabilitation if sex workers demand for it.

Prostitution is a blooming 100 billion dollar industry globally. Many countries like Thailand legalized it and are using it for promotion of tourism .off late Indian red districts are also attracting tourists from abroad. This trend was observed during common wealth games. The big debate now is whether to legalize prostitution in India as an industry.

Legalizing prostitution is the only way to protect these outcasted people. It can light up fading lives of sex workers by

1.     restricting exploitation of brothel houses and will ensure proper wages for sex workers.

2.       providing them an identity in the society and will let them live in dignity.

3.       Sexually transmitted disease (STD) and HIV can be controlled as license will be issued only to healthy people.

4.       It will help government to effectively deliver rehabilitation programs and support to pull people who want to come out of flesh trade.

5.      It will socially elevate prostitutes who are being treated worse than animals now.

6.       It can prevent children being forced into prostitution.

7.       proving advice on safe sex to prostitutes.

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It won’t be fair if other side of coin is not discussed. Legalizing of prostitution will have its own impact society.

1.       Will allow them to set up brothel in notified areas also.

2.       India Will experience sharp raise of woman moving into prostitution as its easy way to earn money.

If the government is not ready to legalize this industry it has to at least implement following for betterment of prostitutes. 

1.       Government has to religiously implement PITA, which deals with rehabilitation and safe houses for woman who is willing to give up prostitution.

2.       Vocational training to provide alternative employment.

3.       Free Boarding schools for children of sex workers.

4.       Educate prostitutes to have safe sex and not to indulge in drug abuse . With this government can check spread of STD and HIV.

Prostitution is a one way opportunity. There is no coming back. Society is not ready to accept rehabilitated prostitutes. That is the sole reason why despite of government efforts prostitutes are not willing to join main stream of society.  This needs a change in our attitude towards them.. After all they are humans who are into flesh trade to fill their hungry stomachs. When society can accept corrupt people who sell their soul for money why can’t it accept people who sell their body for money?