What is the diversity of perspectives on sex work in India today? If prostitution is a livelihood, then what about the economics of it? Rohini Sahni, Reader, Department of Economics, University of Pune has seriously tried to tread this unexplored terrain as sex work remains a taboo not only in our social system, but also in the academic world. Ms Sahni has sought answers to these issues in her recent book "Prostitution and Beyond," published by Sage Publications.

Excerpts from an interview:

Why are feminists indifferent to the plight of prostitutes/sex workers? Is this unique in India or this is relevant in other countries also?

It is not as if all feminists are indifferent. Here, there is a need to differentiate across feminist theorists and women's movements initiated by feminists. Theory as such is not indifferent to the plight of women in prostitution. There is already a large body of literature, both academic and activist, that has been vocal on this front. However, on the operational level of women's movements, it is not usually inclusive of sex workers.
When we raise this issue in our book, the objective is not to judge or belittle the role played by women's organisations or movements. The intention is to seek greater introspection on how we can make the movement less fragmented and more inclusive of sex workers' issues.

Not a single political party has taken up their cause. So how does one hope for a change? Will the situation improve if prostitution is legalised?

The Left in India has never engaged adequately with women's issues, let alone those of sex workers. Nalini Jameela's autobiography gives ample evidence of this. However, in the political spheres, the Left is perhaps the only party which can be expected to be sensitive to the issues of sex workers. The question is how this larger integration of voices can be achieved.  The legalisation of prostitution will not resolve matters because there is no guarantee that the mechanism will provide any measure of protection to the women. The sex workers would continue to face the same legal and police machinery and issues of bias will remain, if history is any evidence.

How organised are the sex workers themselves and do you think they will be able to act like a pressure lobby in near future?

The organisation of sex workers has been more active in the post HIV period. There is a strong possibility of the sex workers themselves acting as pressure lobbies in the times to come. So far this can be seen in selective pockets like in case of Sangram in Sangli. The hindering factor here lies in the fragmented nature of the sex worker's movements.

What is the role of our human rights organisations like National Human Rights Commission as they are also not comfortable in speaking about the sex workers?

The marginalization of sex workers in the Indian context is quite acute. It would be some time before larger national organisations such as NHRC would get involved. In any case, this would be only one of the issues for them. The more immediate voices would have to come from the sex workers themselves.

What is the economics of sex work, if it is considered as another livelihood?

Sex work is indeed a livelihood for many. The economics of it has come to be characterised by the immediate exchange of cash. Sex work as livelihood is based on the premise of the frequency and regularity of these transactions.