HARSHIKA SHAJU NAIR & AADISHRI YADAV
STUDENTS OF DHARMASHASTRA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY, JABALPUR
मदद चाहती है ये हव्वा की बेटी Help, O Help, this daughter of Eve!
यशोदा की हमजिंस राधा की बेटी Radha’s child, Yashoda’s breed,
पयंबर की उम्मत ज़ुलेख़ा की बेटी The prophet’s race, Zuleikha’s seed.
सना–ख़्वाने–तक़दीसे–मशरिक़ कहां हैं| Where are they who praise, the pious eastern ways?
Chakle- Sahir Ludhiyanwi
The struggle for rights and recognition of sex workers in India is hampered by deep-rooted societal stigma and lack of legal acknowledgment. This paper explores the daily challenges faced by sex workers in accessing fundamental necessities such as healthcare and education, emphasising the need for recognition and sensitisation. By comparing international models of legalised prostitution from countries like Germany and New Zealand, this paper argues for decriminalisation as a way to regulate the industry, protect sex workers, and grant them access to government benefits and schemes. The paper calls for comprehensive legal and policy reforms, including official registration of sex workers, sensitization of law enforcement bodies, and facilitation of access to healthcare. It highlights the importance of societal acceptance and evolution of laws in tandem with societal progress. Drawing upon international experiences, this paper concludes that legal recognition, education, and rehabilitation opportunities are essential to empower sex workers, enabling them to practise their profession with dignity and become productive members of society. Recognizing the rights of sex workers is a crucial step towards building a more inclusive and just society, where sex workers enjoy the same fundamental rights as other citizens.
Keywords – Prostitution, Decriminalisation, Legal Recognition, Societal Stigma, Empowerment