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What are the pros and cons of a sex industry
There are clear advantages and disadvantages of developing a
sex industry in Nepal. Decision-makers and the people must
weigh these pros and cons.
ARGUMENTS USED
BY ‘PROS’
Women have the right to
conduct sex work
Girls, women and other
workers are provided
employment
This will attract more
tourists (albeit sex tourists)
Venue owners, hotels,
government, police, casinos
and others make money,
which benefits many people
in the country
ARGUMENTS USED BY
‘CONS’
Girls and women have the right
to protection from sexual
exploitation
Violence against girls and
women
Lack of options and the ‘pull
factor’ of the industry draw
girls and women into sex work
Girls and women are trafficked
and coerced into commercial
sexual exploitation
The psychological and social
impact upon females and
children is profound
Health impact, including
HIV/AIDS
Labour concerns, including debt
bondage and coerced labour
The sex industry casts a
negative light upon Nepal’s
image
Will ‘regulation’ fix the problems
Not entirely. Unless regulation is conducted in the framework
of clear laws that distinguish an ‘entertainment industry’ from
a ‘sex industry’, it is unlikely to be effective. Particularly in the
developing world, regulation of sex industries has been shown
to be ineffective. While ‘regulations’ are useful for business
publicity and international reports, they usually go no further
because governments are unable or unwilling to enforce them.
In some developed and newly-industrializing countries, such
as the UK, Germany and Thailand, regulation has improved
health and labour problems, but has had little affect on trafficking,
substance abuse, violence against girls and women, or the
growth of industry-related crime. In developing countries like
India, Bangladesh and Cambodia, regulation has been almost
entirely ineffective.
Will a ‘red light area’ fix the problems
No. While ‘red light areas’ may be effective in a few Western
countries, the ‘red light area’ is an outdated institution in the
modern developing world. Red light areas throughout the
world are disappearing. The traditional red light areas of India,
Pakistan and Bangladesh, such as Kamathipura, the Hiramandi
or Daulotdia, are almost extinct. Sex work has moved to
suburban locations, using bars and restaurants as sex access
points.
Clients don’t like conspicuous red light areas. In countries
such as India, in which clients can be arrested for engaging a
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