MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR WOMEN AND CHILD
DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI RENUKA CHOWDHURY)
(a) & (b) The study on âGirls/Women in Prostitution in
Indiaâ conducted (between 2002-2004) sponsored by the
Ministry of Women and Child Development and quoted in Dainik
Navbharat of 02.07.2006, reports that there is a growing
trend in the number of prostitutes in the country. The study
estimates that there are 2.8. million prostitutes in the
country of which 35.47% entered the trade before the age of
18 years.
(c) Yes, Sir.
(d) As per the information furnished by National Commission
for Women and National Human Rights Commission, specific
data state-wise, with respect to girls and women trafficked
for fresh trade is not available.
(e) & (f) The Report sponsored by Ministry of Women and
Child Development has found that factors like illiteracy,
lack of skills, poverty, ill treatment by family, desertion
by spouse etc are some of the socio-economic aspects of
human trafficking for prostitutions.
(g) The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITPA)
supplemented by the Indian Penal Code prohibits trafficking
in human beings for purpose of prostitution and lays down
severe penalties for trafficking. The ITPA is now being
further amended providing for more stringent punishment for
trafficking in persons. The amended Bill was introduced in
Lok Sabha on 22nd May, 2006 and is now under the examination
of the Ministry related Parliamentary Standing Committee. A
pilot project on combating trafficking of women and children
for sexual exploitation is also being implemented. The
Central Advisory Committee on combating Child Prostitution
headed by Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child
Development, Government of India reviews quarterly the
Stateâs activities in combating trafficking and
prostitution. The Ministry also conducted advocacy,
awareness generation, sensitization programmes for
prevention of trafficking.