Human Rights of Sex workers

Prostitution, Generally when we see such issues or watch a movie on these issues we feel petty for those women and than move on. But When we actually confront instance come before us we react very differently. Why?

What if she is a prostitute, she is a woman and human being too: Budhadev Karmaskar State Of West Bengal

In this case, a sex worker was brutally murdered by appellant Buddhadev. The appellant Budhadev kicked her with fists and legs, and she fell down on the floor. The appellant then caught her by her hair and banged her head against the floor and the wall several times which left the victim bleeding from her ear, nose and head. The incident was witnessed by four persons, Abida, Maya, Asha and Parvati.

The Apex Court in its division bench headed by Markandey Katju, J and Gyan Sudha Mishra, J stated: ‘we strongly feel that the Central and the State Governments through Social Welfare Boards should prepare schemes for rehabilitation all over the country for physically and sexually abused women commonly known as prostitutes as we are of the view that the prostitutes also have a right to live with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution of India since they are also human beings and their problems also need to be addressed.’

Generally, our society views prostitutes as women of low character but, refuse to look at their situation from their perspective. The bench in this case must be appreciated not just for recognizing their right under Article 21 and directing the state and central governments to act for their welfare but also, to understand their perspective and impoverished situation.

I believe no women wants to be a prostitution by choice. They are equally woman and equally human. It is that it was obvious that appellant would be punished because the eyewitnesses were there but, the message and directions it gave truly are an account of judicial activism.