Legalization of Prostitution-Dilemma of a Cultured Society

Though prostitution has always been there as the oldest profession but people still shy away from talking about it. As a result, the outcry of those associated to this profession goes unnoticed. Prostitutes who suffer the harassment almost daily could not have a say against the atrocious cruelty of our society. We in the guise of a civilized society keep our eyes shut under the false pretense that the problem does not exist. Isn’t it time for us to awaken? When would we stop using morality as an excuse to sideline matters of such importance?

 In our country, few ministers defend rapists by saying that men have sexual needs and at the same time they oppose the proposal to consider prostitution equivalent to any other profession. What kind of hypocrisy is this? Diverse responses have been received in the matter of regulating prostitution. In India, Prostitution is not illegal; if a prostitute works for self and uses her own premises for clients she is conducting herself lawfully. Then why does police book and harass prostitutes? Police does that under provisions like public indecency or public nuisance of Indian Penal Code .The reason behind this injustice is because prostitutes are not protected by law.

 The need is not to allow soliciting of customers at public places but to form a regulatory body that would ensure protection of prostitutes against any form of harassment by police or customers. Proper regulation will make it mandatory to maintain health cards that would keep a check against sexually transmitted diseases. If legal status is provided to prostitution, labor laws could also be extended to prostitutes. An effective legislation can put an end to trafficking, as prostitutes will have to get themselves registered.

According to Daily Mail, with the closure of brothels in 1959, Queensland, in Australia, experienced a 149% increase in incidents of rape. So, it is evident that legalizing prostitution can help in reducing sexual violations too. If we bring the profession of prostitution under the net of taxation, the money could be utilized in rehabilitation of those who are willing to change their profession.

There are a lot of benefits of regulating prostitution, but a lot needs to be done if we seek proper implementation. Legalization does not ensure development, so while implementing the above mentioned points; the ultimate motive should remain human development. Strict regulations need to be put up to ensure credibility of the health cards so they won’t create a false sense of security in customers. 

Few critics argue that legalization would increase the demand which would further increase trafficking to keep the trade going. Let’s put it this way, In India alcohol consumption is illegal in few states. If government lifts up the ban, do you think everyone residing in that state will start consuming alcohol? Of course not! Those who want to would already be doing it anyhow, and Prostitution, moreover, is the oldest profession which has always been there. No matter how much our society pretends to rule out its existence, it will still be there like it has always been. So, why not to accept the reality instead of blunt refusal? Why can’t we bring it up rather than bogging it down? For a moment refrain from thinking about ourselves or our so called moral benchmarks and think about those who suffer daily. The trauma they undergo lies beyond our understanding. Let’s listen to those millions of voices which were lost in all the ruckus of wrong or right. Let’s empower them to fight for their rights and enable them to live a better life.