Sex trade
In most countries, sex trade or exchanging money for sex is legal. Prostitution or sexual gratification for money is perhaps the world's oldest known trade. It is illegal in only a few countries in the world. The reason it is legal is the general attitude that prostitution does no harm, has no victims, and is sex among consenting adults. The changing face of the murky trade has now broadened to include street prostitution, residence sex work, brothel sex work, hotel sex work, call-girl, club sex dance, massage parlour, sex tourism, sex pornography and child sex.
The sex trade is expanding at an unprecedented pace and touching every strata of society. To meet the ever growing and diverse sex demand of the male population, in the recent years, more and more girls and women have been enrolled in this booming market as sex workers.
Sex trade in India is almost the same as in the rest of Asia, involving women and child trafficking and catering to the booming sex tourism. Research shows that most women who enter the sex trade tend to come from urban slums and remote rural areas. High prostitute supply regions in India include Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and some poor North Eastern states. According to a study, over 50% of the prostitutes come from across the border from countries, like Nepal and Bangladesh.
In Bangladesh society, commercial sex is an unwanted profession, which refers to the profession of prostitution. Prostitutes refer to that section of women population who are engaged, legally or illegally, part time or full time, regular or irregular sexual acts for money or for any other material gain. In Bangladesh, the number of prostitutes is on the rise.
Poor knowledge of HIV/AIDS among the population at large contributes to the worsening situation. Education and information on HIV/AIDS prevention, especially for youth, is often limited and inaccessible. In the light of the recent study conducted by Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallayan Foundation, inclusive initiatives have to be taken on an urgent basis in Bangladesh to empower women and enhance their abilities to face health threats like STDs/STI and HIV/AIDS.
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