60 per cent of India's prostitutes are minors

The National Commission for Women has called for the government to establish multilateral and bilateral agreements with foreign countries to combat the rising flesh traffic.

Also, it should take priority measures to get back Indian girls who have been forced into the trade in other countries, the Commission said during its two-day national conference on sexual exploitation of children in Panaji.

A sample survey carried out by the NCW in major towns of 16 states shows that India has around five million sex workers. Of this nearly 60 per cent are minors (below 13 years of age).

Prostitution and related problems should be approached humanly. Victimising prostitutes in the name of the law should be avoided. "The main focus should be on offering a rehabilitation package to the sex workers," said NCW chairperson Mohini Giri, "A separate plan needs to be outlined for children."

The two-day convention suggested that the ministries of labour, health, education and human resource development design special rehabilitation programmes for child and women prostitutes.

Pointing out that the majority of young girls engaged in the trade are from Nepal, the Commission strongly recommended that all countries identify and map risk groups, compile data and share information on a regular basis. Agreements for financial and infrastructural support should also be signed.

The National Crime Records Bureau shows a 100 per cent rise in the kidnapping of children between 1990 and 1994. At least 60 per cent of these were to induct them into prostitution.

"Passion to free children from the exploitation and abuse should be our mission," said Justice V R Krishna Iyer, the guiding force behind various NCW programmes.

Giri said the problem can only be rooted out with more grassroot-level participation. "We are planning to set up vigilance committees at bus stands and railway stations to prevent children from being kidnapped," she said.

Besides poverty and illiteracy, the NCW has identified sexual glorification by the electronic media as a major reason for minors getting trapped into prostitution. Similarly, the myth that intercourse with a virgin can cure a man of sexually transmitted diseases is causing more demand for young girls.