Welcome to the Pleasure District Welcome to the Pleasure District

As Steve Martin once said, sex is one of the most natural, wholesome thing a money can buy; in our heldback society even talking about sex is considered to be a taboo. It is met with audacious reactions, even when sex is considered to be a basic human need. And I don't even know how much backslash I am gonna face after writing this article about legal commercialization of prostitution. In simple honest words, it surely is about creating a euphoric business industry of eroticism and pleasure. People will even refrain from touching this sensitive controversial issue with a ten foot pole. Surely reading about this will raise some eyebrows, and be perceived as blatantly teasing the modesty of the society.

To better understand this subject, we talked with with few prostitutes, and also some social workers who have been working to fight against women violence and sex trafficking. This allowed us to gain a diversified viewpoint in the field. Some of the sex workers are happy with what they do and would be willing to register if prostitution was legalized. In contrast, some told that they choose prostitution as having no other options to fulfill the daily needs; they further explained they were scared to contract STD as some customers we unwilling to wear protection, even suffer phy sically by getting beaten up by some customer and, as well as chances of getting blackmailed and shunned by the society. Law enforcement agencies from time after time raid hotels and guest houses so chances of getting behind prison bars is also high. The proponents of commercialization of prostitution claim that it will reduce crimes like rape, improve public mental health, generate revenues, poverty alleviation, and a establishments of better lifestyle, and further claim in the presented contect for it to be a victimless crime, where all the parties involved enjoy the business with pleasure. Whereas, the social workers and majority of the general public find even the thought of it repulsive. It is considered an unethical practice and is an illegal venture. The criticism and the reluctance of the society is easily seen with expressing concern about rise in drug pimp, spread of dream in this society for some very good reasons as well, even though voices have been raised in the past by some politician in the parliament is obviously in the muddy waters. Sex tourism has been a great source of income and revenue for some of countries like Germany, Thailand, Netherlands etc. And the worldwide estimated value of this industry is more than $186 million. So in a hypothetical situation let us imagine a situation where we have legalized prostitution. We would have to see the best possible way to regulate it, as uptaking such

STDs, hike in crimes like homicides, human trafficking for prostitution, rise in sex violence and rape. Furthermore, the possibilities of the exploitation of women due to poverty and increase forceful reliance on prostitution of daily survival. Well these statements if provided with evidence are surely immoral and inhumane. Moreover, we can see the rise in crime syndicate in prostitution, as well as repression of women by men. Currently, in Nepal trade of sex can lead up to 8 - 10 years in prison and a hefty fine. In some of Nepal's infamous illegal sex trade areas we can see the rise in the diversity of sex workers from transvestites, male sex workers, foreign countries prostitutes. This increases the availability of choices of customers as per their wildest fantasies. The price usually ranges from thousand rupees and above as per demand of the customer. Increase in online sex trade, escorting, and call girls are available as per the preferences. The future of legalizing it is still a long an endeavor may take an abrupt turn to a worst possible scenario. We can learn from the countries with legalized prostitution. But looking at the policies and current social situation and economical ineptitude, we still lack proper infrastructure for an effective legalization and regulation. We have to focus on licensing and registration, taxation, regulations, intimidation and blackmail issues faced by sex workers, combat trafficking, responsibility for health and safety requirements, and criminalization.

It will surely take more than a few decades as per our principles to accept it as an ethical and moral move. We need to quantify it with evidence to expedite this controversial topic. But we have to understand that societal perception is not mercurial for such a drastic move that disturbs the entropy of the natural order of current society.

- Prithviraj Singh Bogati Editorial Team