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[Audio] During the Mughal era, Tawaifs were courtesans who took part in various cultural activities such as singing, dancing, and storytelling. They exercised a significant influence on the culture of India and, due to their high level of skill in their profession, were held in high esteem. Tawaifs contributed to the growth of various forms of music in the era, and their presence helped to make Mughal India an important cultural centre..

Home. TV Shows. Movies. New & Popular. My List. BRITISH AND PROSTITUTION.

[Audio] British men opened brothels in many places during the rule of the East India Company in India. The government paid young girls and women from rural India to staff these brothels. These brothels being located close to military stations, British soldiers began frequenting them, resulting in a further growth of the industry. This is the origin of a long history of prostitution in India..

[Audio] Prostitution in India is a complex phenomenon with varying legal restrictions. While the trade itself is legal, activities such as soliciting, kerb crawling, owning or managing a brothel, and pimping are considered criminal offences. Moreover, the issue of human trafficking is a major concern in the Sex Work industry. Supreme Court rulings have affirmed that voluntary sex work is, in some cases, allowed by existing laws, but conducting or owning a brothel remains illegal. This indicates that though prostitution is legal, there is still significant regulation surrounding it. In recent times, Indian society has become increasingly tolerant of sex work, though the general living conditions of sex workers remains dismal due to several structural issues. Despite the legalisation of prostitution, the stigma and prejudice which surrounds it continues to limit the choices and opportunities available to those within the profession..

[Audio] In a landmark decision in 2020, the Bombay High Court ruled in the case of Kajal Mukesh Singh & Ors v. State of Maharashtra that prostitution is not a crime and that individuals have the right to choose it as a profession. The ruling removed the criminal sanctions against those engaged in consensual sex work, recognizing it as a legitimate occupation and emphasizing the need to respect the rights of those involved. The Court further highlighted the importance of ensuring the safety and security of sex workers, and protecting them from exploitation, in order to protect their dignity and rights..

[Audio] Guitar is one of hundreds of thousands of Indian women working in sex work, a practice with a long history in the caste system. She lives in a cluster of villages in the district of Oliver, where sex work is prevalent. Guitar chose to enter into this profession three years ago, as she is the sole provider for her family. She now earns 60 to 70 thousand rupees a month, around 750 euros, money her family needs to survive. The biggest challenge she faces is borrowing money. Banks do not consider sex work as a legitimate profession, so they won't lend money. That leaves her with local lenders charging exorbitant rates, trapping her in a cycle of debt..

[Audio] As prostitution has a long, engrained past in India, its social and legal implications still remain concerning. Various measures have been taken in order to protect rights of sex workers, yet there is still a great need for equality to be acknowledged and seen in society. It is essential to keep in mind that those in the profession of sex work have the same rights as any other citizen, and to be able to choose their job and deny services as desired. Achieving true acceptance and respect for sex workers in society may require some time, yet advocacy and education can play an immense role in reaching this desirable aim..