Thread: Prostitution in India

There are approximately 15 million prostitutes in India according to Human Rights Watch. In Mumbai, there are more than 100,000 women in prostitution, Asia’s largest sex industry center. Girl’s prostitution in India, Pakistan and the Middle East are tortured, held in virtual imprisonment, sexually abused and raped. An oft-repeated cause of prostitution is poverty.

In my view, a country like India should work on reducing prostitution because we are a country of high morale and ethics. Women in India are seen with utmost respect and prostitution is something which brings down the honor of women. Most of the women are into prostitution because they are unable to feed themselves or their families which is out of sheer helplessness in their lives. I think govt. can launch some rehabilitation program like the programs launched for drug addicts. This would reduce the number of prostitutes in india, atleast the ones who do it forcefully for making a livelihood.

Prostitution In India: Human Rights Watch suggests, in India only there are around fifteen million prostitutes, with greater than 100,000 women prostitutes in Bombay, which is largest sex industry in Asia. Girl prostitutes are classified as common prostitutes, dancers, singers, call girls, even religious prostitutes known as devdasi plus caged brothel-prostitutes.

The number is quite high of Children In Prostitution In India. India with Philippines and Thailand has 1.3 million children involved in its sex trade centers. NGOs like MAITI and STOP reports most of India's trafficking is for prostitution. 60% of these trafficked victims are adolescent girls in 12-16 years age group.

@economist: I think you are right. Risk of HIV/AIDS in Indian Prostitutes increases. Globalization, poverty feminization, increase in sex tourism have contributed to increased trafficking. Indian prostitution and trafficking had even contributed to HIV/AIDS spread, studies even show women in all ages are vulnerable to this infection more than men, plus young girls are at risk too owing to their immature genetical tracts.

@khushboo: Indian Sex Market is high. A study undertaken by Department of Women and Children in thirteen Uttar Pradesh districts, reveled that most of sex workers entered their profession very young as girls only, many transexuals known as hijiras are sex-workers too, these hijiras being unaccepted by their families, facing public opposition, employment denial, are dragged into Indian sex market.

I think we have come out with enough of statistics but putting forth statistics wont bring about any changes. We should put forward ideas to curb the prostitution activities in a country where ethics and cultural values are high. Indian Police should start busting these sex rackets instead of accepting bribes and letting them carry out their activities.