Sex Workers Day observed in Mizoram
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Aizawl, March 05 2013: For the first time in Mizoram, the International Sex Workers Day was observed today with a theme "To end violence against sex workers" at Reception Hall, 2nd floor premises at Aijal Club.

The programme witnessed with the presence of Ester Lalruatkimi, IRS, Secretary , LE & IT , Health & Family Welfare, government of Mizoram as the chief guest.

The chief guest in her speech said, "We are equal and we should not hate sex workers as they also have the rights to lead a normal life in society" .

Meanwhile, the programme is chaired by Lalrosangi Zama, president of YWCA of Aizawl.

Julie Lalrinzami MJS , Civil Judge cum Judicial Magistrate First, Aizawl Judicial District presented her paper in this connection.

Her paper entitled, "IMMORAL TRAFFIC (PREVENTION) ACT, 1956: A CLOSE LOOK" mentioned that the Act is enacted as ratified an International Convention for the Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Persons and the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others by the Govt.

of India in 1950.For carrying out the provisions of the said Act, the Mizoram Prevention of Immoral Traffic Rules, 1994 is also already chalked and enforced, the paper added.

Julie then said Clause (f) of section 2 of the Act says that prostitution means the sexual exploitation or abuse of persons for commercial purposes or for consideration in money or in any other kind, and the expression prostitute shall be construed accordingly.

Citing the case of Gaurav Jain vs Union Of India & Ors, Julie said in her paper that it was decided on July 9, 1997 in connection with Writ Petition (Crl.) Nos.745-54 of 1950 reported in 1997 AIR 3021, 1997 (2) Suppl.

SCR 105, 1997 (8) SCC 114, 1997 (4) SCALE 657, 1997(6) JT 305, the Hon'ble Supreme Court has observed thus--"Therefore, prostitution is not confined, as in the ITP Act, to offering of the body to a person for promiscuous sexual intercourse.

Normally, the word 'prostitution' means an act of promiscuous sexual intercourse for hire or offer or agreement to perform an act of sexual intercourse or any unlawful sexual act for hire as was the connotation of the Act.

It has been brought within its frame, by amendment, the act of a female and exploitation of her person by an act or process of exploitation for commercial purpose making use of or working up for exploitation of the person of the women taking unjust and unlawful advantage of trapped women for one's benefit or sexual intercourse" .

Meanwhile, Prof.

Dr.T.V.Vanlaltlani, ATC also present a paper and a music video was released by C.Dinthanga, Editor , Lelte weekly Magazine and the vote of thanks was rendered by P.Liandingi, senior Advisor , YWCA of Aizawl.

The programme was funded and organized by YWCA of India.

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