India's social fabric is determined by the ethnic composition of society, values and education. Country's demographics are duly studied by researchers and suggestions/plans are drafted for the upliftment of the society.
NHRM statistical surveys suggest planning initiatives towards redevelopment of society. But these surveys could be ambiguous in terms of skewed distribution of social demographics.
On one hand, where education , poverty, unemployment are bigger issues to deal with, we are not that steadfast towards the obscure plight of sex workers in India. We are oblivious to their medical needs. I strongly opine that the profession of prostitution should be legally practiced in India. We are a country where prostitution is deep-rooted in our religion. Formerly practiced as "Devadasi", after the fall of Buddha empire, prostitution raised it's ugly head to transform into it's current form.
Often, this social concern of prostitution is attributed to economic causes like poverty. The nexus between prostitution and poverty does not represent the issue in its entirety. The causes can be varied like : ill treatment by parents, bad company, social customs, lack of sex education, phsychological disorders and also economic causes.. Thus curbing poverty alone may not resolve the issue. We need to handle it at a Constitutional level:-
1. Legalise prostitution as a profession
2. Levy Income/ Sales/ entertainment tax on brothel owners/sex workers
3. PAN card/voter ID to be issued to sex workers for identification of such individuals so that they can be a part of country's demographics and represent a true picture.
Contribution of this tax will also give an accurate calculation of GDP of the country.
Sex-workers are manhandled and tortured in inhuman ways and the only reason they cannot lodge an FIR is because their profession cannot be disclosed. There can be medical camps to address health concerns, spread AIDS awareness and regular medical checkups if we can identify this section of the society with above mentioned measures. To me , this is the most pratical way of conducting such social reforms..Rest is left to the better minds governing this country....
