The problematic profession of prostitution in North Eastern India, Its social, Cultural and legal implications. By Nirbhay Mishra
Understanding the challenging field of prostitution in India's northeastern region.
The northeast of India, which includes the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, mizoram, nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura, is characterized by a high degree of ethnic diversity and socio-political complexity.
Historical Background
The historical aspect of prostitution in Northeast India dates back to the region's status as a critical point along ancient trade routes. The colonial rule of Britishers saw the introduction of new policies aimed at regulating sex work, which frequently exploited existing local customs. The period after independence and the ongoing political crisis, including the emergence of insurgent groups, has further degraded the situation.
Socio-Economic conditions and Financial background
To understand the problematic profession of prostitution in North Eastern part of India , We need to understand the socio economic conditions of that time and financial circumstances of those people who are into this profession.
The report of Planning Commission (2012) mentions that Economic needs and financial challenges pushes women into the sex trade and prostitution.
The rising cases of Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is linked to prostitution, and the north eastern part of india is becoming a epicenter of human trafficking. The statistics are often shocking.. In Assam there are approximately 1,600 cases.In Manipur there are round 850 cases.In Nagaland there are about 230 cases.In Tripura there are approximately 320 cases.
Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR) reports have mentioned that many of the trafficking victims are underage, It mentioned that girls are being trafficked for sexual exploitation or prostitution and forced labor.
Forced Migration and Prostitution :
. According to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees data of 2020 more than 300,000 people have lost their home or native place due to ethnic conflicts.
Cultural sanction to prostitution.
Perceptions of Prostitution in the Northeast differ greatly and often contradict each other
In certain groups, In Manipur, there was a tradition of ritualized prostitution in the past. Yet, these traditions are now being questioned and condemned in today's society (Bhattacharjee, 2016).
In the Churachandpur district of Manipur,There are cases of prostitution inside Kuki Community. After Naga-Kuki clashes,Many Kuki widows adopted prostitution as a profession to support their child.
Societal attitude
Because prostitution since ancient times was not a dignified profession, Society at a micro or macro level don't treat prostitutes with the same amount of respect that they attach to other profession and the reason is bit justified because across the world selling body for money was never an dignified profession.
According to North East Research centre 2018 -
A research in Guwahati found that 78% of sex workers experienced being marginalised by society .
Legal provisions: The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (ITPA), 1956, is the principal law which deals with prostitution. However, its not uniformly enforced, and it often does not protect the rights of sex workers.
Human rights law network has conducted a research which indicated that 60% of sex workers are not aware of their legal rights under the ITPA (HRLN, 2020).
Conflict and Ethnic Tensions: The north eastern part of India has a history of ethnic tensions and conflicts,Due to this it is impossible to enforce law and order which further led to the increase in the incidences of human trafficking
. The Institute for Conflict Management has documented over 1,500 deaths related to insurgencies and conflicts in the Northeastern part of India from 2010 to 2020.
Role of NGOs: Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are playing a very important role in supporting sex workers and prostitutes by providing them medical care, legal help, and rehabilitation services.
For example, Impulse NGO Network has successfully rescued and rehabilitated more than 1,200 women and children from trafficking in the last decade(Impulse, 2021).
Challenges Faced
People engaged in sex work and prostitution in Northeast India faces a variety of challenges:
Violence and Exploitation: Roughly 65% of those in prostitution report facing violence, with many experiencing exploitation and violence by traffickers or pimps (NCRB, 2021)
A survey in Shillong revealed that 70% of sex workers or prostitutes have suffered physical violence (Northeast Network, 2019).
Limited Access to Healthcare: The lack of healthcare services and a lack of awareness about safe practices lead to increase rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and diseases.
According to National AIDS Control Organization, 2020 the HIV infection rate among sex workers in the North Eastern region is around 7.2%, which is higher than the national average of 2.1%.
Social Isolation - Because prostitution is not a dignified profession,Sex workers are isolated from the mainstream society. Which often leds to their exclusion from society and they are unable to access necessary services and protections.
According to Manipur Women’s Commission, 2019 A study in Imphal found that 82% of sex workers and prostitutes experienced rejection and isolation from their own society .
Measures for Improvement
Tackling prostitution in Northeast India needs a careful and thorough strategy:
Legal Changes: Changes in the ITPA to protect the rights of sex workersnand prostitutes and emphasize rehabilitation who suffered from trafficking over criminalization of profession.
Make strict laws against trafficking and ensure their effective implementation.
Financial Assistance: Offer other training and alternative financial opportunities to take them out from prostitution.
According to NLPS data The North East Livelihood Promotion Society has achieved notable success, training over 10,000 women since 2015.
Healthcare Improvement: Improve medical services, specifically for the special needs of prostitutes, including prevention and treatment of sexual diseases.
According to North East Network data mobile clinics operated by NGOs like the North East Network have provided essential healthcare and medical facilities to over 5,000 prostitutes.
Community Education: Launch community-led awareness programs to end stigma and foster understanding and acceptance of the rights of sex workers because most of the time the person who are in prostitution are the victim of Human trafficking.
Initiatives in Assam and Manipur have shown positive outcomes, with a 30% increase in societal support for prostitutes (HRLN, 2020).
Addressing historical and ethnic Conflicts: Work towards resolving the root causes of political social and ethnic conflicts through discusssion and development projects, thereby reducing the possibilities that lead to prostitution and trafficking.
The Peace and Development Initiative has successfully resolved 25 conflicts among communities reducing displacement and vulnerability to trafficking (PDI, 2020).
References
1.Basu, A. (2021). Prostitution and Trafficking in Northeast India: Issues and Interventions. New Delhi: Sage Publications.
2.Bhattacharjee, P. (2016). Traditional Sex Work Practices in Northeast India. Guwahati: North East Studies Journal.
3.Government of India (2012). Planning Commission Report on Poverty. Ministry of Planning.
4.Government of India (2022). National Crime Records Bureau Annual Report. Ministry of Home Affairs.
5.Human Rights Law Network (2020). Rights of Sex Workers in India. HRLN.
6.Impulse NGO Network (2021). Annual Report. Impulse.
7.Lalthlamuani, T. (2019). Religious Perspectives on Prostitution in Mizoram. Aizawl: Mizoram University Press.
8.Manipur Women’s Commission (2019). Study on the Social Impact of Prostitution in Manipur. Imphal: MWC.
9.National AIDS Control Organization (2020). HIV/AIDS Statistics in India. NACO.
10.National Crime Records Bureau (2021). Trafficking in India Report. NCRB.
11.Northeast Network (2019). Sex Workers and Violence in Shillong. Shillong: NEN.
12.Northeast Livelihood Promotion Society (2022India'sal Report. NLPS.
13.North East Support Center (2018). Social Stigma and Sex Workers in Guwahati. Guwahati: NESRC.
14. PeaMizoramDeNagalandt Initiative (2020). Conflict Resolution and Community Development in Northeast India. PDI.
15.Sen, S. (2017). Economic Challenges in Northeast India. Kolkata: Eastern Economy Press.
16. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (2020). Displacement in Manipur. UNHCR.
17. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) (2023). South Asia Human Trafficking Report. UNODC.
Prostitution, a subject that is often dismissed as a negative and marginalized issue, is deeply embedded in these complexities. This article seeks to peel back the layers of socioeconomic, political, and cultural influences that both facilitate and perpetuate prostitution in this area.
Historical Background
The historical aspect of prostitution in Northeast India dates back to the region's status as a critical point along ancient trade routes. The colonial rule of Britishers saw the introduction of new policies aimed at regulating sex work, which frequently exploited existing local customs. The period after independence and the ongoing political crisis, including the emergence of insurgent groups, has further degraded the situation.
Socio-Economic conditions and Financial background
To understand the problematic profession of prostitution in North Eastern part of India , We need to understand the socio economic conditions of that time and financial circumstances of those people who are into this profession.
Economics desperation and limited financial opportunity:
First we need to see the poverty rates of different North eastern states, Sikkim(3.8%) Mizoram(9.8%) Tripura(16.7%) Manipur (4.7%) Arunachal Pradesh (24.7%) Nagaland (25.2%) Assam and Meghalaya (32.7%).
The report of Planning Commission (2012) mentions that Economic needs and financial challenges pushes women into the sex trade and prostitution.
The rising cases of Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is linked to prostitution, and the north eastern part of india is becoming a epicenter of human trafficking. The statistics are often shocking.. In Assam there are approximately 1,600 cases.In Manipur there are round 850 cases.In Nagaland there are about 230 cases.In Tripura there are approximately 320 cases.
Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR) reports have mentioned that many of the trafficking victims are underage, It mentioned that girls are being trafficked for sexual exploitation or prostitution and forced labor.
Forced Migration and Prostitution :
Continuous ethnic ward and riots and lack of economic development in the rural areas force individuals to migrate to the cities, where some women, with no other financial options for living, move towards prostitution and became sex worker.
. According to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees data of 2020 more than 300,000 people have lost their home or native place due to ethnic conflicts.
Cultural sanction to prostitution.
Perceptions of Prostitution in the Northeast differ greatly and often contradict each other
In certain groups, In Manipur, there was a tradition of ritualized prostitution in the past. Yet, these traditions are now being questioned and condemned in today's society (Bhattacharjee, 2016).
In the Churachandpur district of Manipur,There are cases of prostitution inside Kuki Community. After Naga-Kuki clashes,Many Kuki widows adopted prostitution as a profession to support their child.
Societal attitude
Because prostitution since ancient times was not a dignified profession, Society at a micro or macro level don't treat prostitutes with the same amount of respect that they attach to other profession and the reason is bit justified because across the world selling body for money was never an dignified profession.
According to North East Research centre 2018 -
A research in Guwahati found that 78% of sex workers experienced being marginalised by society .
Legal provisions: The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (ITPA), 1956, is the principal law which deals with prostitution. However, its not uniformly enforced, and it often does not protect the rights of sex workers.
Human rights law network has conducted a research which indicated that 60% of sex workers are not aware of their legal rights under the ITPA (HRLN, 2020).
Conflict and Ethnic Tensions: The north eastern part of India has a history of ethnic tensions and conflicts,Due to this it is impossible to enforce law and order which further led to the increase in the incidences of human trafficking
. The Institute for Conflict Management has documented over 1,500 deaths related to insurgencies and conflicts in the Northeastern part of India from 2010 to 2020.
Role of NGOs: Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are playing a very important role in supporting sex workers and prostitutes by providing them medical care, legal help, and rehabilitation services.
For example, Impulse NGO Network has successfully rescued and rehabilitated more than 1,200 women and children from trafficking in the last decade(Impulse, 2021).
Challenges Faced
People engaged in sex work and prostitution in Northeast India faces a variety of challenges:
Violence and Exploitation: Roughly 65% of those in prostitution report facing violence, with many experiencing exploitation and violence by traffickers or pimps (NCRB, 2021)
A survey in Shillong revealed that 70% of sex workers or prostitutes have suffered physical violence (Northeast Network, 2019).
Limited Access to Healthcare: The lack of healthcare services and a lack of awareness about safe practices lead to increase rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and diseases.
According to National AIDS Control Organization, 2020 the HIV infection rate among sex workers in the North Eastern region is around 7.2%, which is higher than the national average of 2.1%.
Social Isolation - Because prostitution is not a dignified profession,Sex workers are isolated from the mainstream society. Which often leds to their exclusion from society and they are unable to access necessary services and protections.
According to Manipur Women’s Commission, 2019 A study in Imphal found that 82% of sex workers and prostitutes experienced rejection and isolation from their own society .
Measures for Improvement
Tackling prostitution in Northeast India needs a careful and thorough strategy:
Legal Changes: Changes in the ITPA to protect the rights of sex workersnand prostitutes and emphasize rehabilitation who suffered from trafficking over criminalization of profession.
Make strict laws against trafficking and ensure their effective implementation.
Financial Assistance: Offer other training and alternative financial opportunities to take them out from prostitution.
According to NLPS data The North East Livelihood Promotion Society has achieved notable success, training over 10,000 women since 2015.
Healthcare Improvement: Improve medical services, specifically for the special needs of prostitutes, including prevention and treatment of sexual diseases.
According to North East Network data mobile clinics operated by NGOs like the North East Network have provided essential healthcare and medical facilities to over 5,000 prostitutes.
Community Education: Launch community-led awareness programs to end stigma and foster understanding and acceptance of the rights of sex workers because most of the time the person who are in prostitution are the victim of Human trafficking.
Initiatives in Assam and Manipur have shown positive outcomes, with a 30% increase in societal support for prostitutes (HRLN, 2020).
Addressing historical and ethnic Conflicts: Work towards resolving the root causes of political social and ethnic conflicts through discusssion and development projects, thereby reducing the possibilities that lead to prostitution and trafficking.
The Peace and Development Initiative has successfully resolved 25 conflicts among communities reducing displacement and vulnerability to trafficking (PDI, 2020).
References
1.Basu, A. (2021). Prostitution and Trafficking in Northeast India: Issues and Interventions. New Delhi: Sage Publications.
2.Bhattacharjee, P. (2016). Traditional Sex Work Practices in Northeast India. Guwahati: North East Studies Journal.
3.Government of India (2012). Planning Commission Report on Poverty. Ministry of Planning.
4.Government of India (2022). National Crime Records Bureau Annual Report. Ministry of Home Affairs.
5.Human Rights Law Network (2020). Rights of Sex Workers in India. HRLN.
6.Impulse NGO Network (2021). Annual Report. Impulse.
7.Lalthlamuani, T. (2019). Religious Perspectives on Prostitution in Mizoram. Aizawl: Mizoram University Press.
8.Manipur Women’s Commission (2019). Study on the Social Impact of Prostitution in Manipur. Imphal: MWC.
9.National AIDS Control Organization (2020). HIV/AIDS Statistics in India. NACO.
10.National Crime Records Bureau (2021). Trafficking in India Report. NCRB.
11.Northeast Network (2019). Sex Workers and Violence in Shillong. Shillong: NEN.
12.Northeast Livelihood Promotion Society (2022India'sal Report. NLPS.
13.North East Support Center (2018). Social Stigma and Sex Workers in Guwahati. Guwahati: NESRC.
14. PeaMizoramDeNagalandt Initiative (2020). Conflict Resolution and Community Development in Northeast India. PDI.
15.Sen, S. (2017). Economic Challenges in Northeast India. Kolkata: Eastern Economy Press.
16. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (2020). Displacement in Manipur. UNHCR.
17. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) (2023). South Asia Human Trafficking Report. UNODC.
Well researched post... We should also talk about their rights and their acceptance in their own society. We should not forget, in the first place they are victims. Haq or samman ek bara bar ho ye sab haq hai.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Nikita
DeleteVery articulated blog with raw data and facts💯👌
ReplyDeleteIt really means a lot brother
Delete