Sex work is still considered a taboo subject in India, with many people viewing it as immoral and illegal. However, the fact remains that thousands of women and transgender persons engage in sex work due to various circumstances such as poverty, lack of education, and lack of opportunities.
Despite the prevalence of sex work, the profession is not recognized under Indian law. The Supreme Court recently sought an update from the central government on the status of the proposed Sex Workers’ Rehabilitation Bill. The Bill is aimed at providing rehabilitation and social security to sex workers across the country. The court expressed its displeasure over the delay in passing the Bill and stated that it is the government’s responsibility to provide for the welfare of sex workers.
Sex work is a contentious issue in India, with a significant number of people engaging in the trade, albeit illegally. Sex workers often face discrimination, harassment, and violence at the hands of the police and society. The lack of legal recognition and protection for sex workers has contributed to their marginalization and vulnerability to exploitation.
In light of these issues, the government proposed the Sex Workers’ Rehabilitation Bill with an aims to decriminalize sex work and provide sex workers with access to healthcare, education, and other social services. The Bill also seeks to establish rehabilitation centers and training programs for sex workers who wish to exit the trade.
However, five years later, the Bill remains in limbo, and sex workers continue to face social and legal challenges. The Supreme Court’s intervention in seeking an update from the government is a positive step towards ensuring the welfare and rights of sex workers.
The court’s order was in response to a petition filed by the National Network of Sex Workers. The petition sought the court’s intervention in expediting the passage of the Bill and providing social security to sex workers. The court noted that the government must take a proactive approach in providing for the welfare of sex workers and must ensure that they are not subjected to harassment or exploitation.
The court also emphasized that the rehabilitation of sex workers is essential to help them lead a dignified life. The rehabilitation centers proposed in the Bill can provide sex workers with access to education, healthcare, and counseling services, which can help them transition out of the trade.
The Supreme Court’s order is a reminder that the government must take a human rights-based approach towards sex work and ensure that sex workers’ rights are protected. The government must recognize the realities of the sex trade and provide sex workers with the necessary legal protection and social security measures.
The delay in passing the Sex Workers’ Rehabilitation Bill is a cause for concern, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disproportionately affected sex workers. The lack of access to healthcare and other essential services has made sex workers more vulnerable to the virus and its economic impacts.
The government must prioritize the passage of the Bill and work towards providing sex workers with access to social services, healthcare, and legal protection. The Bill can serve as a critical tool in protecting the rights of sex workers and addressing the social and legal challenges that they face.
In conclusion, the government must prioritize the passage of the Bill and work towards providing sex workers with access to social services, healthcare, and legal protection. It is the government’s responsibility to provide for the welfare of sex workers and ensure that they are not subjected to harassment or exploitation.
Written by- Gunjan S Jain, 5th Year BBA LLB, St. Joseph’s College of Law intern under legal vidhiya
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