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Sex work – what does it mean?Sex work is believed to be the oldest profession in the world. It has a long history throughout the world and in India.
Sex work in India
- It is estimated that there are 2 million sex workers in India (but it is likely that this number is a lot higher as the industry is often hidden).
- 40% of female sex workers are thought to have began to sell sex before the age of 18.
- Many young men are initiated into their sexual lives by sex workers.

(UNFPA (2001)Adolescents in India : A profile)
Sex Work Law
A Brief History

- In India, the sex trade is regulated by the 1986 Immoral Traffic Prevention Act (ITPA)
- The ITPA criminalises and prevents activities associated with prostitution (keeping a brothel, procuring women, having sex with minors etc.) while preserving a woman’s right over her body.
- The ITPA criminalises most aspects related to sex work by equating ‘Voluntary adult sex work’ with trafficking.
- Under the ITPA a woman can sell sex as long as it takes place in private.
- The act also makes it illegal for any third parties to be involved in, or benefit from commercial sex.
- In effect, the law allows a woman to sell sex but makes it illegal to engage in activities to procure business.
- Even living off income made from sex work is illegal under the Act.
- Therefore sex workers must break the law and sex work is then criminalised.
- The police have considerable latitude in interpreting and implementing the law.
- Central government have put forward an amendment to ITPA which would punish clients of sex workers.
- The logic behind the move is supposedly to prevent trafficking of people into sex work by reducing the demand for sex work.
- Evidence shows such measures push sex work underground making sex workers more vulnerable to violence and HIV infection.
- The government plans to go ahead despite huge protest.
