(REFLECTION OF REALITY)
Loser from time
I am flower
Neither caste nor colour
I am broken star
There is no religion or existence
I am flowing river
In the eyes of world, Prostitution is a business of money but in actual it’s more like a business of emotions. Prostitute is an artist who takes money after offering to engage in sexual conduct with another person in return for a fee. It’s a give and take business. Prostitutes are based on three genders. Male, Female and transgender.
In history, most prostitutes have been women and transgender and most clients were men. The first prostitution found in the Sumerian Records, dating back to 2400 BCE. The Ancient Athens where the prostitution was legal by the government. Mostly Athenian women thoughts were defined that Prostitution was the only way to make a living. The Ancient Greeks and Romans prostitutes wear unique outfits and pay severe taxes. In Europe during the middle Ages, Church head attempted to reclaim ashamed prostitutes and fund their dowries. In the late of 19 century a huge change in western community revived efforts to subdue prostitution. In 1899, International cooperation decide to end the traffic in women for the motive of prostitution. The League of Nations set the committee in 1921 on the traffic in female and children. In 1949 the United Nations General Assembly approve an agreement for the repress of prostitution. By 1915 nearly all country had passed the legislation that banned brothels or regulated the interest of prostitution. [1]
Here I would like to highlight the reflection of factors, causes, background, how can we stop this profession and my own persuasion.
It is a business or profession where deal of bodies, souls, feelings and emotions are made. It is something where majority of people are not involved by their own choices. A lot of cases are present and this is involving thousands of people into it. Every person has different stories. Every pain has its own reason. There are a lot of stories that are far away from reality. 90% of women are involved in this profession but there is no doubt that 100% clients are men. Prostitution has been accepted and rejected as a profession. Prostitution is illegal in Pakistan and there are millions of unfortunate girls who are forced into it. Their lives are full of hardships, pain, struggles, problems and much more. The main reason behind all this is survival.
Cons of this profession: It affects the young generation. It is a cause of sexual violence, domestic violence, and many crimes. It transmits many diseases like HIV/AIDS, anxiety, depression, PTSD. [2]
The individuals who belong to this profession are mostly going through violence, forced marriages, life threats, fake love affairs and runaway. Poverty is one the most important factor who encourages this profession. Most of the prostitutes are involved in this just to survive and earn money to live. Family pressure pushes them to get involve into this profession because of their needs. Lower social-economic status, psychological pressure, and the criminal nature are the main components of this profession. Lack of education is one of the major factor of prostitution because uneducated people are not aware of the merits and demerits of this profession. Homeless are the most vulnerable to prostitution. They are mostly kidnapped by sellers in the market and sometimes their own close people including friends and family. Followings are other factors that they faced:
- Physical, emotional, premature home leaving
- Childhood sexual abuse
- Bad company
- Media
- Prior incest and rape
- Early marriage
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_prostitution#Muslims
[2] HIV/AIDS: Human immunodeficiency virus.
PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The presence of prostitution cannot be negated. The Question is arise here:
Why are we always against prostitutes and why are we not against this profession?
The Punjab suppression of prostitution ordinance 1961 stretch to the entire province except the native area. Where section 3 to 17 clarify all the punishments of this act. Punishments are based on fines and years prison sentence. The imprisonment extend to two years and fine extend to one thousand rupees. [3]
Laws related to prostitution in Pakistan:
The Constitution of Pakistan 1973 in Article 37 (g) shall prevent prostitution, raffle, taking drugs, printing publication, and display of obscene composition and advertisement. It is clear that the constitution of Pakistan justify the aims to prevent prostitution. [4]
In addition, the Pakistan penal code 1860 the section 371 A define “whoever sells, lets to hire, or otherwise disposes of any person with intent that such a person shall at any time be employed or used for the purpose of prostitution or illicit intercourse with any person or for any unlawful and immoral purpose, or knowing it to be likely that such person shall at any time be employed or used for any such, purpose, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to twenty-five years, and shall also be liable to fine”. The section 371 B define “Whoever buys, hires or otherwise obtains possession of any person with intent that such person shall at any time be employed or used for the purpose of prostitution or illicit intercourse with any person or for any unlawful and immoral purpose, or knowing it to be likely that such person will at any time be employed or used for any such purpose, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to twenty-five years, and shall also be liable to fine”. The conclusion is whoever selling and buying person for purposes of prostitution shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to twenty-five years and shall also be liable to fine. All these law should be seen in coexistence with the Punjab suppression of prostitution ordinance 1961. [5]
Countries where prostitution is legal: Belgium, Bangladesh, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, The Netherlands, New Zealand etc.
Countries where prostitution is illegal: China, Pakistan, Iran, France, South Africa, Egypt, Canada, Yemen, Nepal, Norway etc. [6]
The women from Pakistan did not want their identity to be revealed, gave this statement in her interview that I was married at a very young age. I said to my father that I don’t want to get married but they did it forcefully. My husband was a cruel person. He would also ask me for money so I ran away and fell into this lifestyle out of necessity. [7]
[3] http://punjablaws.gov.pk/laws/130.html
[4] https://na.gov.pk/uploads/documents/1333523681_951.pdf
[5] https://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/legislation/1860/actXLVof1860.html
[6] https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-where-prostitution-is-legal
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMiIkLO3xgQ&t=72s
Different types of this profession
Street: Clients do their deals in public places for example malls, parks and streets.
Brothel: Premises explicitly dedicated to providing sex.
Escort: Client contacts prostitute by technology like mobile phone or via hotel staff.
Private: Client contacts sex worker by phone.
Can prostitute marry someone? Mostly prostitutes are married to someone but in some cases they are divorced but yes there is no harm in marrying a prostitutes. Normally, prostitutes stop this profession when they marry someone. The person who marry prostitute should support her financially and mentally. Well it is rare that if a men take a step for a prostitute and marry her. No men can stand for a prostitution against this cruel society. But still somewhere there are few men who take stand and marry a prostitute against this society.
Some questions arose here:
Every person has different stories. This profession is always involving in heated arguments. The presence of Prostitution cannot be negated. How can you blame on someone without knowing the backstory of his/her life? Do you know how they enter into this profession? By their own choice or Family pressure? How can we neglect their existence? How many social workers and social institution worked for them? Why don’t we stop this profession? Why are we not against this profession and why are we always against about their workers?
Recommendations.
This is really a serious issue of our society that needs attention of government and policy makers. For many sex workers, it is very difficult to escape. We should take step against this profession not workers.
How can we stop this profession?
By
- Creating jobs
- Reduce poverty
- Organising medical treatment, education, job training etc.
- Providing house shelter
- Providing basic needs of life
- Providing good counsellor
- Providing awareness
- Education to illegitimate children
Illegitimate children:
The babies of prostitutes known as illegitimate children. They have no rights in inheritance children but they have right to maintained by mother and father. Illegitimate children are not accepted by society and they are always neglected.
It’s important to give proper respect to prostitutes and it’s important to stop this profession as soon as possible by law. We should accept them and teach them. Most prostitutes enter sex trade at a young age. Female sex workers have been subjected to prejudicial, codification and unequal law enforcement. We have to educate them.
Full of moon lights
Yes I am flower
Full of colours
Yes I am a broken star
Full of stories
Yes I am a flowing river
About Author : Maira Nadeem
*I am a Law student from Pakistan Law College. I dedicated my work to my Parents, Aiza Nadeem for their constant support. Here is my first article. I hope you read and enjoy