June 2: International Sex Workers Day

The International Sex Workers’ Day, observed every year on June 2, is aimed to stand by the support of the World’s oldest profession.

Facts

Article 21 of the Indian Constitution declares every person has the right to life and the right to personal liberty. On May 27, 2022, the Supreme court gave a historic judgment declaring sex work or prostitution legal.

Approximately three million sex workers in India fall under the age group of 15 to 35 are under this profession.

While countries like New Zealand, Denmark, Germany, and Greece have measures supporting prostitution as legal. Ensures sex workers’ health and financial status are taken care of by the govt.

Theme

The International Sex Workers’ Day theme remains the same, i.e., ‘Access to Justice’ for sex workers across the World, as they often face criminal charges and harassment despite being victims.

Problems

Since they do not have any permanent address, they often lack identification documents like Aadhaar, PAN, and voter ID. This prevents them from opening bank accounts, applying for ration cards, voting, or receiving any mind of govt. Aid.

Solutions

Although things will not change drastically yet, small steps towards acceptance, owing respect to them, may bring great change.

The first yet most important step may be for the general population to see it as a job, like any other job.