The proposal for legalising prostitution in India will be placed before the Supreme Court constituted panel Nov 8, National Commission for Women (NCW) chief Lalitha Kumaramangalam said Wednesday.
“The proposal for legalising prostitution will be put forth in the National Consultation scheduled to be held on Nov 8 by Supreme Court panel...,” Kumaramangalam said in a statement.
The apex court had constituted the panel after a public interest litigation was filed 2010 on rehabilitation of sex workers. In its order dated Aug 24, 2011, the court had directed NCW to attend the panel’s meetings.
“The panel has to make certain recommendations for the possible amendments in Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITPA) in the light of conditions conducive for sex workers to live with dignity in accordance with the provision of article 21 of the constitution,” added the statement.
The Supreme Court-constituted panel would deliberate on the existing provisions of ITPA, loopholes, implementation of the law and the impact of such implementation on the sex workers and their lives.
Kumaramangalam meanwhile denied media reports that she was planning to put forward the proposal of legalising prostitution at the cabinet meet.
However, activists expressed concern and discontentment over the NCW’s proposal.
“Legalisation of prostitution goes against the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) definition of ‘decent work’ and is considered as selling sex under distress. Instead of criminalising the buying and selling of sex, we are giving more power to those who exploit sex workers and treat them as commodities that can be sold in a market,” Ranjana Kumari, director, Centre for Social Research said in a statement.
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So Go ahead, let it play out!
It is high time the Govt actually legalise this activity, mostly agreed on as world's oldest profession and Zoned it in such a way that leaves everyone doing it is properly paid for and is not subject to exploitation and give them the right to fight back against use of force and the like. Also ensure the health and working conditions of those involved. Make prostitution deals and agreements enforceable and also this type of control may help to stop the trafficking of minors and children (Which should be dealt with thoroughly and strictly). Unless you have records of what is happening, you cant really have any strategy to control it anyway. It does not make any sense not to control a business involving so much money and leave it for illegal gangs to run it. It could also have serious problems with National security some day, The earlier these things are properly regulated, that much better for next generation.
The other way is to completely ban this whole thing and hang everyone involved in the trade in any manner. It is time to choose one of the two.
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