Prostitution In India

Like any other country, India has its share of brothels and red light area districts. Prostitution in India per se is not illegal but soliciting sex in return for money and brothels are. However, cities have designated areas as red light areas. One can visit Sonagachi in Kolkata, Kamathipura in Mumbai and GB Road in New Delhi, which are famous red light areas in India and account for thousands of prostitutes.

According to a survey conducted in 1988 by Sanlaap, an Indian NGO for women founded in 1987, it was found that a number of women went into prostitution or became commercial workers because of circumstances and lack of resources rather than preference. A number of women interviewed claimed that they became prostitutes after breakup of marriages or being thrown out by their families or being disowned by their families. Furthermore, this survey went on to establish that it were agents who were introducing women into prostitution. 76% agents were women themselves while 24% were males.

Prostitution is India is thriving business though it is not acknowledged by a layperson or made public. The 1956 law dealing with prostitution in India is known as The Moral Traffic (Suppression) Act. It has been amended and now known as The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. Under this act, prostitution in India is neither legal nor illegal. However, the law forbids soliciting customers and a prostitute cannot practice her trade within 200 yards of a public place. The law, however, allows prostitutes to be rescued from prostitution and rehabilitated should the prostitutes wish to be.

Prostitution in India is not restricted to women. Of late male prostitution has become quite visible. A number of Indian newspapers have advertisement for male masseurs who are described as handsome and hygienic. These prostitutes can charge INRs 1000 (Approximately US$ 21) to INRs 3000 (US$ 65). The male prostitutes generally practice safe sex. Due to the taboo attached to male homosexuality in India, these prostitutes are not very open about their trade. In India male homosexuality is illegal and a punishable crime.

Another form of prostitution in India is in the form of bonded labor, where a female is coerced into prostitution under the guise of repaying a debt. Bonded labor is a crime in India as per the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act of 1976. The Government of India has a scheme to provide financial aid and grants to released bonded laborers and their families.

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