Abstract

Sex work and prostitution are terms often used interchangeably to refer to the exchange of sexual labour for money or other valuable material. These exchanges may be independently generated, facilitated through a third party, or leveraged by industry stakeholders. Sex work and prostitution are as old as human society itself, and although often associated with women and girls, these systems of exchange involve people of all ages, genders, races, and sexual orientations. Prostitution which was once socio-culturally sanctified, has now been represented as an undignified profession that subjugates and marginalises women from all public spaces. The changing trends in society which have led people to look down on this labour are worth mentioning. This paper aims to explore factors driving people to this profession and how an atrocious attitude of people subjects these people to discrimination. Apart from that, the paper also highlights various legislation and judicial decisions which aim at legalising and monitoring this profession with a view of halting crime against sex workers. The catastrophic living condition of children born in brothels has also been brought into the limelight. Thus various facets of this profession are being examined in this research paper. The research also highlights some of the initiatives taken by NGOs to improve the condition of these workers.

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