Maneka Gandhi says prostitution not to be legalized

The world’s oldest trade, Prostitution is going to remain a concealed issue as the Government on Thursday elucidated that prostitution will not be legalized. With this move, it was a hold up to the campaign led by activists that legalization of prostitution may reduce the frequency of human trafficking especially in lower income or tribal groups.

Maneka Gandhi, Union Minister for Women and Child Development said that the Government is executing a number of programmes for the welfare and economic empowerment of women; the government has not proposed to legalize the sex trade.

She said that the various programs meant for the sex workers can utilize the benefits. Also, for this intention, no proposal is required to amend the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 concluded Maneka Gandhi.

With particular sex workers organizations seeking decriminalization of the trade, a debate was going on over legalization of prostitution in the country.

Lalitha Kumaramangalam, the chairperson of the National Commission for Women also was amongst the ones who suggested legalizing the sex work. She said that for women engaged in the commercial prostitution, legalizing the sex work would control the trade and make better living conditions for women. Also that the trafficking in women will be brought down and HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases will lower.