First Step in the Legalization of Prostitution in India

Gujarat High Court has ruled that Sex workers engaged in prostitution of their own volition, and not due to any inducement, force or coercion is not a crime. Some feel this is the first step in the legalization of Prostitution in the country.

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The court’s order indicates that Prostitution is a crime only when an offender is indulging in the exploitation of a person in flesh trade against the victim’s will. This ruling may force change about how laws deal with prostitution especially when the Sex Workers do that on their own volition.

However, laws should be strengthened to curb Forced prostitution, exploitation, and illegal human traficking. Prostitution should also be checked from the socio-economic angle of society through which poor and the helpless women are being exploited.