There is a whole lot of disgrace attached to the business of prostitution and stigma to the prostitutes that constitute this dark world. Prostitutes are considered as mere commodities by the society, by denying them self-respect, justice, acknowledgement and the dignity of labor. Has anyone ever spared a thought about the pull factors of prostitution? Going by the number of sex workers renting their flesh to earn a living, doesn't the demand for their services contribute equally to the thriving of the sex trade? Shouldn't they be acknowledged for the plain reason that it is because of them that the women of our land are safe and can live without any fear of being raped and sexually assaulted?
I'm totally convinced that sex trade is not something one would even remotely fantasize about and happily be part of. Most of the prostitutes in India have either been sold to brothels or introduced to the profession owing to knowing someone from within the business. Girls under the age of 14 who are forced into sex slavery are prevented from gaining access to education and proper healthcare. These minors grow up to be adults who barely have any exposure and idea about the life that exists outside of what they do. All their lives, the only question they dodge revolves around what made them choose wooing men, almost bare-bodied, and redeeming their character in exchange for money. And then, some hold them responsible for provoking men and exploiting the society by thinking that they just want to have fun. Does the fun factor play any part when most of these women have been disowned by their families for doing what feeds their stomach? Can the fun last when the only reason they indulge in the act of providing bodily pleasures is to fund their children's education who will ultimately come to terms with the helplessness that a sex worker's child is meant to live with? Can the bodily pleasures go beyond the lack of access to protection which puts them at a serious risk of contracting HIV/AIDS? Can the fun survive the fear of having to face severe consequences in the form of police investigation and raids for indulging in a trade which is largely illegal? Nothing in this world but helplessness can force someone to put their moral character at risk and prepare them to accept the eventualities of life.
A lot of movies and documentaries have highlighted the lives of sex workers and the ordeal they go through in their day-to-day lives because of the nature of their work. These movies have gained a vote of support from the masses as a whole and, efforts have been made to provide help to sex workers by making them aware about the importance of protection and trying to legalize their profession. But, what still remains is the mentality and perception of a majority of the population which relegates them to a place in the trash can, where all they are surrounded with is waste. Even today, every time someone passes a red light area by, snide remarks are always made about how intoxicating and cheap this business and the people in it are. This clearly highlights the hypocrisy that exists in our society, wherein, as much as we are thankful for the existence of prostitution and willing to legalize the profession, trying to look at them without judging them is something that seems beyond us. The recent example of actress Shweta Basu Prasad, who was exposed for being part of a sex racket just further validates the point that, the victim blaming culture is something that we refuse to move beyond. While the ones who get indulged get off scot-free, the females have are left with added struggles to survive all the bashing, injustice and trauma that follow.
We easily entertain the beggars and urchins with sympathy. There is quite a difference between those that stay helpless and those that battle helplessness. And those who battle helplessness to fend for themselves, despite being labelled 'whores' and 'sluts', should be more deserving of our thoughts and sympathies. It takes guts and strength of mind to not fall prey to the prying eyes of the people by trying to find your voice to face the society, when all the people around you want to do is judge you and get the better of you.
I'm totally convinced that sex trade is not something one would even remotely fantasize about and happily be part of. Most of the prostitutes in India have either been sold to brothels or introduced to the profession owing to knowing someone from within the business. Girls under the age of 14 who are forced into sex slavery are prevented from gaining access to education and proper healthcare. These minors grow up to be adults who barely have any exposure and idea about the life that exists outside of what they do. All their lives, the only question they dodge revolves around what made them choose wooing men, almost bare-bodied, and redeeming their character in exchange for money. And then, some hold them responsible for provoking men and exploiting the society by thinking that they just want to have fun. Does the fun factor play any part when most of these women have been disowned by their families for doing what feeds their stomach? Can the fun last when the only reason they indulge in the act of providing bodily pleasures is to fund their children's education who will ultimately come to terms with the helplessness that a sex worker's child is meant to live with? Can the bodily pleasures go beyond the lack of access to protection which puts them at a serious risk of contracting HIV/AIDS? Can the fun survive the fear of having to face severe consequences in the form of police investigation and raids for indulging in a trade which is largely illegal? Nothing in this world but helplessness can force someone to put their moral character at risk and prepare them to accept the eventualities of life.
A lot of movies and documentaries have highlighted the lives of sex workers and the ordeal they go through in their day-to-day lives because of the nature of their work. These movies have gained a vote of support from the masses as a whole and, efforts have been made to provide help to sex workers by making them aware about the importance of protection and trying to legalize their profession. But, what still remains is the mentality and perception of a majority of the population which relegates them to a place in the trash can, where all they are surrounded with is waste. Even today, every time someone passes a red light area by, snide remarks are always made about how intoxicating and cheap this business and the people in it are. This clearly highlights the hypocrisy that exists in our society, wherein, as much as we are thankful for the existence of prostitution and willing to legalize the profession, trying to look at them without judging them is something that seems beyond us. The recent example of actress Shweta Basu Prasad, who was exposed for being part of a sex racket just further validates the point that, the victim blaming culture is something that we refuse to move beyond. While the ones who get indulged get off scot-free, the females have are left with added struggles to survive all the bashing, injustice and trauma that follow.
We easily entertain the beggars and urchins with sympathy. There is quite a difference between those that stay helpless and those that battle helplessness. And those who battle helplessness to fend for themselves, despite being labelled 'whores' and 'sluts', should be more deserving of our thoughts and sympathies. It takes guts and strength of mind to not fall prey to the prying eyes of the people by trying to find your voice to face the society, when all the people around you want to do is judge you and get the better of you.
Loved this piece. I completely agree.
ReplyDeleteI don't why people choose to ignore talking about topics like prostitution and sex, while they are so mainstream in our culture. It's like the elephant in the room.
I'm so glad you're writing about these topics as well :)
It's high time people openly talked about subjects like 'prostitution', when that is what is saving millions of girls from getting raped. I know of people who still use terms like 'kharab kaam karne wali ladkiyan' to refer to prostitutes. For heaven's sake, try to look beyond all the traditional Indian notions you've been fed, and look at the real picture. As long as there is no acceptance, no amount of education can help anybody make peace with something like prostitution. If one really wants to be part of the society, then there's no way out but to live with this truth.
DeleteNice nice. Totally agree :)
DeleteNice nice. Totally agree :)
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