Legalization of sex work: Mumbai psychiatrist sparks debate with demand for legalization of sex work in India | News from Nagpur

Nagpur: “Can sex work become a licensed profession in India?” asked Dr Nilesh Shah, head of the psychiatry department at Mumbai’s Sion Hospital, while delivering a talk at VPACOn on this rarely discussed topic. “The law in India does not prohibit sex work per se,” explained Dr Shah. “But things like advertising it, having agents or practicing it in public places like hotels – that is a big taboo,” he said. “Why don’t we consider making it a licensed profession? Let’s at least talk about it and weigh the pros and cons,” he urged. “Many Indians think it is immoral, but perhaps it is time to explore the possibility of regulating it,” he added. Dr Shah then referred to international examples. “Look at countries like the Netherlands, Austria and Greece. Their sex workers have licenses, pay taxes and follow renewal procedures,” he said. “Interestingly, these countries also have fewer cases of sexual harassment, rape and even marital rape. Illegal human trafficking and sexually transmitted diseases are also kept under control,” he said. He then gave a thought-provoking example from Pakistan. “There, prostitution is banned, but men exploit a loophole in the law. They ‘marry’ a sex worker for one night and divorce her the next morning. This is a blatant abuse of religious and social rules. In India, a mature democracy, we can certainly do better,” he said. Dr. Shah went a step further, saying that legalizing sex work could meet a basic human need. “Everyone needs food, clothing, shelter and healthcare. Perhaps it is time to recognize that sex is also a basic need and that everyone has a right to a fulfilling sex life. Legalization could potentially satisfy unmet sexual needs and perhaps reduce marital and relationship problems.” “Every person has a right to appropriate and pleasurable sex,” Dr. Shah explained. Of course, Dr. Shah’s presentation was not met with unanimous applause. “There were mixed reactions, even from colleagues in psychiatry,” he admitted. “But this is a crucial issue in psychiatry and we need to have an open and honest discussion about it, taking all points of view into account,” he concluded.

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