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{{Short description|One of the largest sex industries in Asia}}
{{Short description|One of the largest sex industries in Asia}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
'''Prostitution in [[Kolkata]]''' (formerly '''Calcutta''') is present in different forms and Kolkata's [[sex industry]] is one of the largest in Asia.<ref>{{cite journal|author = Catrin Evans and Helen Lambert|title = The limits of behaviour change theory: Condom use and contexts of HIV risk in the Kolkata sex industry|journal = [[Culture, Health & Sexuality]] |volume = 10|number = 1|pages = 27–41|year  = 2008|publisher = [[Taylor & Francis]]|doi = 10.1080/13691050701561393 |pmid=18038279|s2cid = 24642896|url= https://doi.org/10.1080/13691050701561393}}</ref><ref>Sinha, Sunny. “Ethical and Safety Issues in Doing Sex Work Research: Reflections From a Field-Based Ethnographic Study in Kolkata, India.” [[Qualitative Health Research]] 27, no. 6 (May 2017): 893–908. {{doi|10.1177/1049732316669338}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author1 = Ghosal, Sayantan |author2= Jana, Smarajit |author3= Mani, Anandi |author4=Mitra, Sandip |author5= Roy, Sanchari|title = "Sex Workers, Stigma and Self-Image: Evidence from Kolkata Brothels"|journal = [[The Review of Economics and Statistics]]|pages = 1–45|year = 2020|issn = 0034-6535|doi = 10.1162/rest_a_01013 |s2cid = 229182008|url = https://doi.org/10.1162/rest\_a\_01013 }}</ref> [[Prostitution]] may be [[brothel]]-based or non-brothel based as in the case of [[call girl]]s. India is regarded as having one of the largest commercial [[sex industry|sex trades]] globally.<ref name="India_sex">{{Cite journal|last1=Dalla|first1=Rochelle L.|last2=Kreimer|first2=Lee M.|date=13 October 2016|title="After Your Honor is Gone…": Exploration of Developmental Trajectories and Life Experiences of Women Working in Mumbai's Red-Light Brothel Districts|journal=Sexuality & Culture|volume=21|issue=1|pages=163–186|doi=10.1007/s12119-016-9388-4|s2cid=146803616|issn=1095-5143|url=https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/famconfacpub/182}}</ref> Kolkata has many [[red-light district]]s, out of which [[Sonagachi]] is the largest red-light district in Asia with more than 50,000 commercial [[sex worker]]s.<ref>{{cite journal|title = Sex workers and the cost of safe sex: the compensating differential for condom use among Calcutta prostitutes|journal = [[Journal of Development Economics]]|volume = 71|number = 2|pages = 585–603|year = 2003|issn = 0304-3878|doi = 10.1016/S0304-3878(03)00025-7|url = https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304387803000257|author = Vijayendra Rao and Indrani Gupta and Michael Lokshin and Smarajit Jana |s2cid = 153608532}}</ref><ref name="sdas">{{cite journal|author = Satarupa Dasgupta|title = Participation as a Health Communication Strategy in HIV/AIDS Intervention Projects: an Examination of a Project Targeting Commercial Sex Workers in India}}|journal = Atlantic Journal of Communication|volume = 27|number = 2|pages = 139–151|year  = 2019 |publisher = [[Routledge]]|doi = 10.1080/15456870.2019.1574535|s2cid = 150465047|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/15456870.2019.1574535 }}</ref><ref>Mishra, Swasti Vardhan. “Reading Kolkata’s Space of Prostitution as a Political Society.” [[Environment and Urbanization ASIA]] 7, no. 2 (September 2016): 267–76. {{doi|10.1177/0975425316655653}}</ref>
'''Prostitution in Kolkata''' (formerly '''Calcutta''') is present in different forms and [[Kolkata]]'s [[sex industry]] is one of the largest in Asia.<ref>{{cite journal|author = Catrin Evans and Helen Lambert|title = The limits of behaviour change theory: Condom use and contexts of HIV risk in the Kolkata sex industry|journal = [[Culture, Health & Sexuality]] |volume = 10|number = 1|pages = 27–41|year  = 2008|publisher = [[Taylor & Francis]]|doi = 10.1080/13691050701561393 |pmid=18038279|s2cid = 24642896}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | doi=10.1177/1049732316669338 | title=Ethical and Safety Issues in Doing Sex Work Research: Reflections from a Field-Based Ethnographic Study in Kolkata, India | date=2017 | last1=Sinha | first1=Sunny | journal=Qualitative Health Research | volume=27 | issue=6 | pages=893–908 | pmid=27651071 | pmc=5865471 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author1 = Ghosal, Sayantan |author2= Jana, Smarajit |author3= Mani, Anandi |author4=Mitra, Sandip |author5= Roy, Sanchari|title = "Sex Workers, Stigma and Self-Image: Evidence from Kolkata Brothels"|journal = [[The Review of Economics and Statistics]]|pages = 1–45|year = 2020|volume= 104 |issue= 3 |issn = 0034-6535|doi = 10.1162/rest_a_01013 |s2cid = 229182008|url = https://doi.org/10.1162/rest\_a\_01013 }}</ref> [[Prostitution]] may be [[brothel]]-based or non-brothel based as in the case of [[call girl]]s. India is regarded as having one of the largest commercial [[sex industry|sex trades]] globally.<ref name="India_sex">{{Cite journal|last1=Dalla|first1=Rochelle L.|last2=Kreimer|first2=Lee M.|date=13 October 2016|title="After Your Honor is Gone…": Exploration of Developmental Trajectories and Life Experiences of Women Working in Mumbai's Red-Light Brothel Districts|journal=Sexuality & Culture|volume=21|issue=1|pages=163–186|doi=10.1007/s12119-016-9388-4|s2cid=146803616|issn=1095-5143|url=https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/famconfacpub/182|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Kolkata has many [[red-light district]]s, out of which [[Sonagachi]] is the largest red-light district in Asia with more than 50,000 commercial [[sex worker]]s.<ref>{{cite journal|title = Sex workers and the cost of safe sex: the compensating differential for condom use among Calcutta prostitutes|journal = [[Journal of Development Economics]]|volume = 71|number = 2|pages = 585–603|year = 2003|issn = 0304-3878|doi = 10.1016/S0304-3878(03)00025-7|url = https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304387803000257|author = Vijayendra Rao and Indrani Gupta and Michael Lokshin and Smarajit Jana |s2cid = 153608532|url-access = subscription}}</ref><ref name="sdas">{{cite journal|author = Satarupa Dasgupta|title = Participation as a Health Communication Strategy in HIV/AIDS Intervention Projects: an Examination of a Project Targeting Commercial Sex Workers in India |journal = Atlantic Journal of Communication|volume = 27|number = 2|pages = 139–151|year  = 2019 |publisher = [[Routledge]]|doi = 10.1080/15456870.2019.1574535|s2cid = 150465047}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | doi=10.1177/0975425316655653 | title=Reading Kolkata's Space of Prostitution as a Political Society | date=2016 | last1=Mishra | first1=Swasti Vardhan | journal=Environment and Urbanization Asia | volume=7 | issue=2 | pages=267–276 | bibcode=2016EnUrA...7..267M }}</ref> According to a 2019 study by the Indian Journal of Public Health reported that West Bengal had the highest number of female sex workers (FSWs) in India, contributing nearly 25% of the country's total estimated 1.82 million FSWs. This suggests that around 455,000 FSWs were in West Bengal at that time.<ref>{{cite journal | doi=10.4103/ijph.IJPH_46_20 | doi-access=free | title=Size Estimation of high-risk groups for hiv infection in india based on data from national integrated bio-behavioral surveillance and targeted interventions | date=2020 | last1=Aridoss | first1=Santhakumar | last2=Arumugam | first2=Elangovan | last3=Kangusamy | first3=Boopathi | last4=Sahu | first4=Damodar | last5=Adhikary | first5=Rajatashuvra | last6=Kumar | first6=Pradeep | journal=Indian Journal of Public Health | volume=64 | issue=5 | pages=S39–S45 | pmid=32295955 }}</ref>


==Prostitute population==
==Prostitute population==
The total number of prostitutes in [[Kolkata]] is unknown. Some estimates state that there are more than 60,000 brothel-based women and girls in prostitution in Kolkata.<ref name="saribari1">{{cite web |url=http://www.saribari.com/getinvolved/learnmore.html |title=Facts on Human Trafficking |website=www.saribari.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090719000143/http://www.saribari.com/getinvolved/learnmore.html |archive-date=19 July 2009 }}</ref><ref name="merinews1">[http://www.merinews.com/article/plight-of-prostitutes-in-kolkata/137536.shtml Plight of prostitutes in Kolkata]. Merinews.com. Retrieved on 23 October 2011.</ref>
The total number of prostitutes in [[Kolkata]] is unknown. Some estimates state that there are more than 60,000 brothel-based women and girls in prostitution in Kolkata.<ref name="saribari1">{{cite web |url=http://www.saribari.com/getinvolved/learnmore.html |title=Facts on Human Trafficking |website=www.saribari.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090719000143/http://www.saribari.com/getinvolved/learnmore.html |archive-date=19 July 2009 }}</ref><ref name="merinews1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.merinews.com/article/plight-of-prostitutes-in-kolkata/137536.shtml |title=Plight of prostitutes in Kolkata |website=Merinews.com |access-date=23 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111205031109/http://www.merinews.com/article/plight-of-prostitutes-in-kolkata/137536.shtml |archive-date=5 December 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://assamtribune.com/trafficked-girls-from-ne-end-up-in-kolkata-brothels|title=Trafficked girls from NE end up in Kolkata brothels|first=SANJOY|last=RAY|date=15 September 2010|website=assamtribune.com}}</ref>


The population of prostitutes in [[Sonagachi]] constitutes mainly of [[Nepal]]ese, [[Indian people|Indians]] and trafficked [[Bangladeshis]] women.<ref name="merinews1"/> Some sources estimate that are 30,000 Bangladeshi women in the brothels of Kolkata.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Shahidullah|first1=Shahid M.|title=Crime, Criminal Justice, and the Evolving Science of Criminology in South Asia: India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh|date=2017|publisher=Springer|isbn=9781137507501|page=230|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aLeRDgAAQBAJ&q=30%2C000+Bangladeshi+women+in+the+brothels+of+Kolkata.&pg=PA230|language=en}}</ref>
The population of prostitutes in [[Sonagachi]] constitutes mainly of Nepalese, Bangladeshi and Indian women trafficked from north eastern and neighboring states, many who are trafficked into the area by their boyfriends or family.<ref name="merinews1"/> Some sources estimate that are 30,000 Bangladeshi women in the brothels of Kolkata.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Shahidullah|first1=Shahid M.|title=Crime, Criminal Justice, and the Evolving Science of Criminology in South Asia: India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh|date=2017|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-1-137-50750-1|page=230|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aLeRDgAAQBAJ&q=30%2C000+Bangladeshi+women+in+the+brothels+of+Kolkata.&pg=PA230|language=en}}</ref>


According to some sources the most common form of trafficking consists in offering false promises or some offer of help out of a dead-end or crisis situation, force is used later after the prostitutes have already been sold. "''Mashi''s (brothel owners/older sex workers) use friendship, sympathy, also veiled threats to convince the women that it is now in their best interest to conform and begin working."<ref name="saribari1"/>
According to some sources the most common form of trafficking consists in offering false promises or some offer of help out of a dead-end or crisis situation, force is used later after the prostitutes have already been sold. "''Mashi''s (brothel owners/older sex workers) use friendship, sympathy, also veiled threats to convince the women that it is now in their best interest to conform and begin working."<ref name="saribari1"/> The Crime Branch of Delhi Police has recovered one girl from Rabindra Sarani, Sonagachi who was missing along with eight other female inmates from Sanskar Ashram in [[Dilshad Garden]] since December 2, 2018. Eight out of these nine girls were originally from Nepal, while the ninth girl was from [[Bhagalpur]], Bihar. These girls had been rescued from a brothel in G.B. Road," police said.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Subhas |first1=Biswajit |title=police rescue girl from red light area in kolkata |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/delhi/police-rescue-girl-from-red-light-area-in-kolkata-351304?infin}}</ref>


==History of Prostitution==
==History of prostitution==
{{unreferenced section|date=September 2025}}
{{see also|Prostitution in colonial India}}
{{see also|Prostitution in colonial India}}
A farcical short-drama book named ''Beshyaleela'' ( বেশ্যালীলা ) was printed in the middle of the year 1880 written by an anonymous writer ( অজ্ঞাতনামা ).  It is not very familiar or much discussed book till now.  In this drama, a good description can be found about the negative attitudes shown by the then existing 19th century educated Bengali ''Babu'' class of people towards the prostitutes and the prostitution. From the first half of the 19th century, centering on Sonagachhi, a huge organised prostitution area surrounding Cornwallis Street on the east, and Chitpur on the west were formed. Although many areas in Calcutta were inhabited by those prostitutes outside those areas also.  On the south it was Kalighat to Khidirpur dock areas, in the middle-Calcutta it was Kalinga-Fenwick Bazar, on the far south in Kareya area many girls from different social-classes of Hindu-Muslim-Christian communities were engaged with this profession.  More than that, there was no clear 'mark' or 'boundary-line' between the 'gentleman areas' and the 'prostitutes areas'.  Many areas had scattered or mixed up population of those two kinds. Rather, many areas could be termed as 'half-gentleman' areas, where normal gentleman's families and various types of prostitutes co-existed side by side.  From the middle of the 19th century, the British colonial administration, Christian Missionaries, and native English-knowing educated 'Victorian' Indian gentlemen started campaign against prostitutes.  This was their part of the project of social 'sanitation' process for creating the so-called 'gentle-society'. Under the leadership of Mr. Kaliprasanna Singha, the 'Vidyotsahini Sabha' ( বিদ্যোৎসাহিনী সভা ) submitted one mass-petition in the Indian Legislative Council.
A farcical short-drama book named ''Beshyaleela'' ( বেশ্যালীলা ) was printed in the middle of the year 1880 written by an anonymous writer ( অজ্ঞাতনামা ).  It is not very familiar or much discussed book till now.  In this drama, a good description can be found about the negative attitudes shown by the then existing 19th century educated Bengali ''Babu'' class of people towards the prostitutes and the prostitution. From the first half of the 19th century, centering on Sonagachhi, a huge organised prostitution area surrounding Cornwallis Street (Now [[Bidhan Sarani]]) on the east, and [[Chitpur]] on the west were formed. Although many areas in Calcutta were inhabited by those prostitutes outside those areas also.  On the south it was [[Kalighat]] to [[Khidirpur]] dock areas, in the middle-Calcutta it was Kalinga-Fenwick Bazar, on the far south in Kareya area many girls from different social-classes of Hindu-Muslim-Christian communities were engaged with this profession.  More than that, there was no clear 'mark' or 'boundary-line' between the 'gentleman areas' and the 'prostitutes areas'.  Many areas had scattered or mixed up population of those two kinds. Rather, many areas could be termed as 'half-gentleman' areas, where normal gentleman's families and various types of prostitutes co-existed side by side.  From the middle of the 19th century, the British colonial administration, Christian Missionaries, and native English-knowing educated 'Victorian' Indian gentlemen started campaign against prostitutes.  This was their part of the project of social 'sanitation' process for creating the so-called 'gentle-society'. Under the leadership of Mr. Kaliprasanna Singha, the 'Vidyotsahini Sabha' ( বিদ্যোৎসাহিনী সভা ) submitted one mass-petition in the Indian Legislative Council.


==Red-light districts==
==Red-light districts==
{{multiple image|perrow = 1|total_width=250
| image1 = Sonagachi jon gresham 1.jpg
| image2 = Sonagachi jon gresham 2.jpg
| footer = A scene in [[Sonagachi]], Kolkata's [[red light district]], 2005.
}}


===Bowbazar===
===Bowbazar===
{{see also|Bowbazar}}
{{see also|Bowbazar}}
Bowbazar has a [[red-light district]] where about 12,000 [[prostitute]]s work.<ref name="YOUTH PARTNERSHIP PROJECT">{{cite web |author1=YOUTH PARTNERSHIP PROJECT SOUTH ASIA (YPP-SA) |title=VULNERABILITY OF CHILDREN LIVING IN THE RED LIGHT AREAS OF KOLKATA, INDIA |url=http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/legacy/YPP_Research_indial.pdf |publisher=[[End Child Prostitution and Trafficking]] |access-date=16 December 2018 |date=July 2010}}</ref> The surrounding areas are inhabited by slum dwellers, truckers and migrant labourers. The adjacent Tiretta Bazar area is mainly a loading{{spaced ndash}}unloading point with offices or [[warehouse|godowns]] of a large number of transport companies. The area is very unsanitary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cry.org/whatwedo/storiesofhopej.html |title=Jabala Jaag |access-date=16 August 2007 |publisher=CRY |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208171354/http://www.cry.org/whatwedo/storiesofhopej.html |archive-date=8 December 2007 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
Bowbazar has a [[red-light district]] where about 15,000 [[prostitute]]s work.<ref name="YOUTH PARTNERSHIP PROJECT">{{cite web |title=Vulnerability of Children Living in the Red Light Areas of Kolkata, India |url=http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/legacy/YPP_Research_indial.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216074514/http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/legacy/YPP_Research_indial.pdf |archive-date=16 December 2018 |publisher=[[End Child Prostitution and Trafficking]] |access-date=16 December 2018 |date=July 2010}}</ref> The surrounding areas are inhabited by slum dwellers, truckers and migrant labourers. The adjacent Tiretta Bazar area is mainly a loading{{spaced ndash}}unloading point with offices or [[warehouse|godowns]] of a large number of transport companies. The area is very unsanitary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cry.org/whatwedo/storiesofhopej.html |title=Jabala Jaag |access-date=16 August 2007 |publisher=CRY |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208171354/http://www.cry.org/whatwedo/storiesofhopej.html |archive-date=8 December 2007 }}</ref>


===Garia===
===Garia===  
{{see also|Garia}}
There is a small red-light district in [[Garia]].<ref name="Madison Leigh Rose" /> There were plans to build a home for retired sex workers in the area.<ref name="Garia">{{cite web |last1=Chaudhuri |first1=Himika |title=Garia home for aged sex workers - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/calcutta-times/Garia-home-for-aged-sex-workers/articleshow/1333287.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=16 December 2018 |date=18 February 2002}}</ref>
There is a small red-light district in [[Garia]].<ref name="Madison Leigh Rose" /> There were plans to build a home for retired sex workers in the area.<ref name="Garia">{{cite web |last1=Chaudhuri |first1=Himika |title=Garia home for aged sex workers - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/calcutta-times/Garia-home-for-aged-sex-workers/articleshow/1333287.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=16 December 2018 |date=18 February 2002}}</ref>


===Kalighat===
===Kalighat===
{{see also|Kalighat}}
{{see also|Kalighat}}
In south Kolkata, there is a red light district in the neighbourhood of [[Kalighat]]. Located around the banks of the [[Adi Ganga]] canal, an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 prostitutes live and work there.<ref name="porterfolio">{{cite web |last1=Gill |first1=Harsimran |title=Living in the Shadows |url=http://porterfolio.net/uploads/article/file/6273/Al_Jazeera__Living_in_the_Shadows.pdf |access-date=4 August 2018}}</ref> Kolkata has emerged as a hub for the trafficking of girls, who often arrive from [[Nepal]], [[Bangladesh]] and [[Burma]]. From Kolkata they are often sold again to brothels in Mumbai (Bombay) or Chennai (Madras). Some will go on to the [[Middle East]], Africa and Europe.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4055143.stm | work=BBC News | first=Matthew | last=Grant | title=Girl-trafficking hampers Aids fight | date=30 November 2004}}</ref> Many of the women in Sonnagachi were forcedly taken away from their homes; some were tricked and others sold into prostitution by their friends and families; most of them are illiterate.<ref>[http://across.co.nz/CalcuttaSexSlaves.html Prostitutes Calcutta Sex Slaves]. Across.co.nz (7 November 2005). Retrieved on 23 October 2011.</ref>
In south Kolkata, there is a red light district in the neighbourhood of [[Kalighat]]. Located around the banks of the [[Adi Ganga]] canal, an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 prostitutes live and work there.<ref name="porterfolio">{{cite web |last1=Gill |first1=Harsimran |title=Living in the Shadows |url=http://porterfolio.net/uploads/article/file/6273/Al_Jazeera__Living_in_the_Shadows.pdf |access-date=4 August 2018 |archive-date=4 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804201723/http://porterfolio.net/uploads/article/file/6273/Al_Jazeera__Living_in_the_Shadows.pdf }}</ref> Kolkata has emerged as a hub for the trafficking of girls, who often arrive from [[Nepal]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Assam]] and [[Burma]]. From Kolkata they are often sold again to brothels in Mumbai (Bombay) or Chennai (Madras). Some will go on to the [[Middle East]], Africa and Europe.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4055143.stm | work=BBC News | first=Matthew | last=Grant | title=Girl-trafficking hampers Aids fight | date=30 November 2004}}</ref> Many of the women in Sonnagachi were forcedly taken away from their homes; some were tricked and others sold into prostitution by their friends and families; most of them are illiterate.<ref>[http://across.co.nz/CalcuttaSexSlaves.html Prostitutes Calcutta Sex Slaves]. Across.co.nz (7 November 2005). Retrieved on 23 October 2011.</ref>


===Kidderpore===
===Kidderpore===
The red-light district in [[Kidderpore]] is the third largest in Kolkata.<ref name="Madison Leigh Rose">{{cite web |last1=Rose |first1=Madison Leigh |title=Red Light City: Sex Workers' Experiences of the City of Joy |url=https://madisonleighrose.wordpress.com/2012/08/27/red-light-city-sex-workers-experiences-of-the-city-of-joy/ |website=Madison Leigh Rose |access-date=16 December 2018 |language=en |date=27 August 2012}}</ref> [[NGO]] ''Apne Aap'' has a support centre in the area and has made two films about life in Kidderpore's red-light district: ''Kali'' and ''Shaadi Ka Shart Shauchalaya''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ghose |first1=Chandreyee |title=When dreams find voice, it's time to say fatafati |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/when-dreams-find-voice-it-s-time-to-say-fatafati/cid/1486119 |website=www.telegraphindia.com |access-date=16 December 2018 |language=en |date=27 November 2015}}</ref>
{{see also|Kidderpore}}
The red-light district in [[Kidderpore]] is the third largest in Kolkata.<ref name="Madison Leigh Rose">{{cite web |last1=Rose |first1=Madison Leigh |title=Red Light City: Sex Workers' Experiences of the City of Joy |url=https://madisonleighrose.wordpress.com/2012/08/27/red-light-city-sex-workers-experiences-of-the-city-of-joy/ |website=Madison Leigh Rose |access-date=16 December 2018 |language=en |date=27 August 2012}}</ref> [[NGO]] ''Apne Aap'' has a support centre in the area and has made two films about life in Kidderpore's red-light district: ''Kali'' and ''Shaadi Ka Shart Shauchalaya''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ghose |first1=Chandreyee |title=When dreams find voice, it's time to say fatafati |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/when-dreams-find-voice-it-s-time-to-say-fatafati/cid/1486119 |website=www.telegraphindia.com |access-date=16 December 2018 |language=en |date=27 November 2015}}</ref>


===Lebu Bagan===
===Lebu Bagan===
Line 36: Line 44:
===Sonagachi===
===Sonagachi===
{{See also|Sonagachi}}
{{See also|Sonagachi}}
The largest [[red-light district]] in Kolkata, is Sonagachi, it is also the largest red-light district in India.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/as-songachi-changes-colours-visitors-drawn-by-art-not-lust/articleshow/64811133.cms|title=As Songachi changes colours, visitors drawn by art, not lust|website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> The area came to be known as Sona Gachi from a Sufi saint Sona Ghazi whose tomb (mazaar) is located in the locality.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aliciapatterson.org/APF2003/Briski/Briski.html|title=Prostitutes and AIDS in India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015110455/http://aliciapatterson.org/APF2003/Briski/Briski.html |archive-date=15 October 2007 |publisher=[[Alicia Patterson Foundation]]}}</ref> It is an area with several hundred multi-storey brothels, and around 10,000 sex workers.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4055143.stm Girl-trafficking hampers Aids fight] BBC news. 30 November 2004</ref> Sonagachi is located in North-Kolkata near the intersection of [[Chittaranjan Avenue]] Sova Bazar and Beadon Street, just north of the [[Marble Palace (Kolkata)|Marble Palace]]. Previously there were many Bengali prostitutes in Sonagachi.  But now-a-days Rajasthani and Khamia-Nepalese prostitutes have gained in number. According to class-division, the red-light areas of Kolkata are also divided into four different classes: poor-class, lower-class, middle-class, and rich-class.  For example, The red-light area which once existed opposite to the diagonal angle of Khanna Cinema Hall was of 'poor-class'.  When they contacted customers, they asked them "''Khat-e na Chot-e''" ? Which means, "Do you want to sleep in wooden cot or on jute-sheet spread over the floor?"  As customers wished, the fee varied according to their choice.  The lower-class and middle-class of prostitute areas were scattered around Haarkaata Gully and near Chetla/Kalighat bridge.
The largest [[red-light district]] in Kolkata, is Sonagachi, it is also the largest red-light district in India.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/as-songachi-changes-colours-visitors-drawn-by-art-not-lust/articleshow/64811133.cms|title=As Songachi changes colours, visitors drawn by art, not lust|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=July 2018 }}</ref> The area came to be known as Sona Gachi from a Sufi saint Sona Ghazi whose tomb (mazaar) is located in the locality.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aliciapatterson.org/APF2003/Briski/Briski.html|title=Prostitutes and AIDS in India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015110455/http://aliciapatterson.org/APF2003/Briski/Briski.html |archive-date=15 October 2007 |publisher=[[Alicia Patterson Foundation]]}}</ref> It is an area with several hundred multi-storey brothels, and around 10,000 sex workers.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4055143.stm Girl-trafficking hampers Aids fight] BBC news. 30 November 2004</ref> Sonagachi is located in North-Kolkata near the intersection of [[Chittaranjan Avenue]] Sova Bazar and Beadon Street, just north of the [[Marble Palace (Kolkata)|Marble Palace]]. The Prostitute Population mostly consists of woman's from poor regions of neighboring states and border regions. Previously there were many local prostitutes in Sonagachi.  But now [[Rajasthani people|Rajasthani]], Bihari, Odia and Khamia-Nepalese prostitutes have gained in number. According to class-division, the red-light areas of Kolkata are also divided into four different classes: poor-class, lower-class, middle-class, and rich-class.  For example, The red-light area which once existed opposite to the diagonal angle of Khanna Cinema Hall was of 'poor-class'.  When they contacted customers, they asked them "''Khat-e na Chot-e''" ? Which means, "Do you want to sleep in wooden cot or on jute-sheet spread over the floor?"  As customers wished, the fee varied according to their choice.  The lower-class and middle-class of prostitute areas were scattered around Haarkaata Gully and near Chetla/Kalighat bridge.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sex workers from Sonagachi call SC verdict 'step towards life of dignity' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/sex-workers-from-sonagachi-call-sc-verdict-step-towards-life-of-dignity/article65467197.ece |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |date=27 May 2022}}</ref>


Several [[non-government organization]]s and government organizations operate here for the prevention of [[sexually transmitted diseases]] (STD) including [[AIDS]]. Sonagachi project is a prostitute's cooperative that operates in the area and empowers sex workers to insist on [[condom]] use; a relatively low percentage of prostitutes in this district (5.17% of the 13,000 prostitutes in Sonagachi) are estimated to be HIV positive.<ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/news/in-sonagachi-keeping-hiv-away-a-daily-battl/550109/ In Sonagachi, keeping HIV away a daily battle]. Indian Express (2 December 2009). Retrieved on 23 October 2011.</ref>  However, these efforts are hindered by [[human trafficking]]:  refusal of clients to wear condom, and women controlled  by third parties are forced to oblige.
Several [[non-government organization]]s and government organizations operate here for the prevention of [[sexually transmitted diseases]] (STD) including [[AIDS]]. Sonagachi project is a prostitute's cooperative that operates in the area and empowers sex workers to insist on [[condom]] use; a relatively low percentage of prostitutes in this district (5.17% of the 13,000 prostitutes in Sonagachi) are estimated to be HIV positive.<ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/news/in-sonagachi-keeping-hiv-away-a-daily-battl/550109/ In Sonagachi, keeping HIV away a daily battle]. Indian Express (2 December 2009). Retrieved on 23 October 2011.</ref>  However, these efforts are hindered by [[human trafficking]]:  refusal of clients to wear condom, and women controlled  by third parties are forced to oblige.


According to some sources, prostitutes from Sonagachi who test HIV positive are not told about the results, and live with the disease without knowing about it "because the [[DMSC]] is worried that HIV positive women will be ostracized."<ref name="tomvater1">[http://www.tomvater.com/india/welcome-to-sonagachi-%E2%80%93-calcutta%E2%80%99s-largest-brothel-area-is-thriving/ Welcome to Sonagachi – Calcutta's largest brothel area is thriving]. Tom Vater (12 May 2004). Retrieved on 23 October 2011.</ref> Some prostitutes in Sonagachi have stated that "the clients, at least three quarters of them" refuse to use condoms and "If we force them to use the condom, they will just go next door. There are so many women working here, and in the end, everyone is prepared to work without protection for fear of losing trade."<ref name="tomvater1"/>
According to some sources, prostitutes from Sonagachi who test HIV positive are not told about the results, and live with the disease without knowing about it "because the [[Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee|DMSC]] is worried that HIV positive women will be ostracized."<ref name="tomvater1">[http://www.tomvater.com/india/welcome-to-sonagachi-%E2%80%93-calcutta%E2%80%99s-largest-brothel-area-is-thriving/ Welcome to Sonagachi – Calcutta's largest brothel area is thriving] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011152855/https://www.tomvater.com/country/india/welcome-to-sonagachi-calcuttas-largest-brothel-area-is-thriving |date=11 October 2022 }}. Tom Vater (12 May 2004). Retrieved on 23 October 2011.</ref> Some prostitutes in Sonagachi have stated that "the clients, at least three quarters of them" refuse to use condoms and "If we force them to use the condom, they will just go next door. There are so many women working here, and in the end, everyone is prepared to work without protection for fear of losing trade."<ref name="tomvater1"/>


===Tollygunge===
===Tollygunge===
{{see also|Tollygunge}}
Tollygunge is a small red-light district located near [[Prince Anwar Shah Road]].<ref name="YOUTH PARTNERSHIP PROJECT" />
Tollygunge is a small red-light district located near [[Prince Anwar Shah Road]].<ref name="YOUTH PARTNERSHIP PROJECT" />


==Street prostitution==
==Street prostitution==
Street prostitutes work in Esplanade Crossing,<ref name="Rickshaw pullers">{{cite web |title=Rickshaw pullers |url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/212182/16/16_chapter%2011.pdf |website=Shodhganga |access-date=16 December 2018}}</ref> opposite of cinema ‘Metro’ and in the street between Elite Cinema Hall and Regal Cinema Hall, Jagat Cinema near [[Sealdah]] station and under Sealdah flyover,<ref name="Rickshaw pullers" /> and another place is Ultadanga flyover and railway foot over bridge, [[Kalighat]]<ref name="Rickshaw pullers" /> and [[Garia]].<ref name="Garia" /> Also a very small level high class escort service operates here, mostly college student or housewives or executives. Generally they use hotels booked by client or the flat of their [[pimp]].
Street prostitutes work in Esplanade Crossing,<ref name="Rickshaw pullers">{{cite web |title=Rickshaw pullers |url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/212182/16/16_chapter%2011.pdf |website=Shodhganga |access-date=16 December 2018}}</ref> opposite of cinema 'Metro' and in the street between Elite Cinema Hall and Regal Cinema Hall, Jagat Cinema near [[Sealdah]] station and under Sealdah flyover,<ref name="Rickshaw pullers" /> and another place is Ultadanga flyover and railway foot over bridge, [[Kalighat]]<ref name="Rickshaw pullers" /> and [[Garia]].<ref name="Garia" /> Also a very small level high class escort service operates here, mostly college student or housewives or executives. Generally they use hotels booked by client or the flat of their [[pimp]].


[[Male prostitutes]] often pick up clients in the [[Maidan (Kolkata)|Maidan]], particularly in front of the [[Victoria Memorial, Kolkata|Victoria Memorial]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ghosh |first1=Aditya |last2=Gupta |first2=Jayanta |title=C'mon baby, light my fire |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Cmon-baby-light-my-fire/articleshow/8275240.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=16 December 2018 |date=20 September 2001}}</ref>
[[Male prostitutes]] often pick up clients in the [[Maidan (Kolkata)|Maidan]], particularly in front of the [[Victoria Memorial, Kolkata|Victoria Memorial]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ghosh |first1=Aditya |last2=Gupta |first2=Jayanta |title=C'mon baby, light my fire |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Cmon-baby-light-my-fire/articleshow/8275240.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=16 December 2018 |date=20 September 2001}}</ref>


==Call girl==
==Call girls==
Call girls operate independently and through [[pimps]] or escort agencies. Prostitution is operated from many beauty parlours and [[massage parlors]] in the city.<ref>[http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/jan/29kolkata.htm Kolkata cop's wife in prostitution racket] Rediff.com</ref><ref name=" TELEGRAPHCALLGIRL">{{cite news |title=New girls on the block|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070401/asp/calcutta/story_7359586.asp | location=Calcutta, India | work=The Telegraph |first1=Nabamita |last1=Mitra |first2=Chandreyee |last2=Chatterjee |first3=Sanjoy |last3=Chattopadhyaya |date=1 April 2007}} ''[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph]]'' – 1 April 2007</ref> Pimps (commonly called agents) in [[nightclub]]s, [[Public house|pubs]], star hotels and floorboys acting as agents generally keep catalogues with pictures of the call girls.<ref name=" TELEGRAPHCALLGIRL"/> The girls operate in places like flats, hotels, etc.<ref name=" NLM Gateway">{{cite web|title=Hidden sex trade -callgirls of kolkatta |website=[[United States National Library of Medicine]] Gateway |url=http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/MeetingAbstracts/102256441.html |access-date=10 March 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070429061725/http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/MeetingAbstracts/102256441.html |archive-date=29 April 2007 }}</ref> Generally the call girls go to the rooms in star hotels. However, when the client cannot provide a place of convenience, the agents provide one and the place is generally decided on before.<ref name=" TELEGRAPHCALLGIRL"/>
Call girls operate independently and through [[pimps]] or escort agencies. Prostitution is operated from many beauty parlours and [[massage parlors]] in the city.<ref>[http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/jan/29kolkata.htm Kolkata cop's wife in prostitution racket] Rediff.com</ref><ref name="Telegraph Call Girl">{{cite news |title=New girls on the block|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070401/asp/calcutta/story_7359586.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112195013/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070401/asp/calcutta/story_7359586.asp |archive-date=12 November 2007 | location=Calcutta, India | work=The Telegraph |first1=Nabamita |last1=Mitra |first2=Chandreyee |last2=Chatterjee |first3=Sanjoy |last3=Chattopadhyaya |date=1 April 2007}} ''[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph]]'' – 1 April 2007</ref> Pimps (commonly called agents) in [[nightclub]]s, [[Public house|pubs]], star hotels and floorboys acting as agents generally keep catalogues with pictures of the call girls.<ref name="Telegraph Call Girl"/> The girls operate in places like flats, hotels, etc.<ref name="NLM Gateway">{{cite web|title=Hidden sex trade -callgirls of kolkatta |website=[[United States National Library of Medicine]] Gateway |url=http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/MeetingAbstracts/102256441.html |access-date=10 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070429061725/http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/MeetingAbstracts/102256441.html |archive-date=29 April 2007 }}</ref> Generally the call girls go to the rooms in star hotels. However, when the client cannot provide a place of convenience, the agents provide one and the place is generally decided on before.<ref name="Telegraph Call Girl"/>


Call girls in Kolkata may come from middle class, upper middle class and upper-class families. They may be executives, housewives, college students or actresses.<ref name=" TELEGRAPHCALLGIRL"/><ref name=" NLM Gateway"/>
Call girls in Kolkata may come from middle class, upper middle class and upper-class families. They may be executives, housewives, college students or actresses.<ref name="Telegraph Call Girl" /><ref name="NLM Gateway"/>


The [[Kolkata Police]] have connections with many call girls working as their informers. Many criminals like to spend time with the girls. Hence some call girls are used by the police to get information about suspected criminals.<ref>[http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060512/asp/calcutta/story_6197678.asp Call girl aide to catch criminals- 230 escorts brought into the detective department fold] ''[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph]]'' – 12 May 2006</ref>
The [[Kolkata Police]] have connections with many call girls working as their informers. Many criminals like to spend time with the girls. Hence some call girls are used by the police to get information about suspected criminals.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060630165136/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060512/asp/calcutta/story_6197678.asp Call girl aide to catch criminals- 230 escorts brought into the detective department fold] ''[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph]]'' – 12 May 2006</ref>


[[Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee]] (DMSC), which runs the Sonagachi project and several similar projects in [[West Bengal]], lobbies for the recognition of sex workers' rights and full legalization.<ref>[http://www.durbar.org durbar.org], homepage of the [[Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee]]
[[Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee]] (DMSC), which runs the Sonagachi project and several similar projects in [[West Bengal]], lobbies for the recognition of [[sex workers' rights]] and full legalization.<ref>[http://www.durbar.org durbar.org], homepage of the [[Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee]]
</ref> DMSC hosted India's first national convention of sex workers on 14 November 1997, in Kolkata, entitled 'Sex Work is Real Work: We Demand Workers Rights'.<ref>[http://www.nswp.org/rights/dmsc/indiaconf.html Sex work is real work: We demand workers rights] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061212230342/http://www.nswp.org/rights/dmsc/indiaconf.html |date=12 December 2006 }}, announcement of the 1997 sex worker convention</ref>
</ref> DMSC hosted India's first national convention of sex workers on 14 November 1997, in Kolkata, entitled 'Sex Work is Real Work: We Demand Workers Rights'.<ref>[http://www.nswp.org/rights/dmsc/indiaconf.html Sex work is real work: We demand workers rights] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061212230342/http://www.nswp.org/rights/dmsc/indiaconf.html |date=12 December 2006 }}, announcement of the 1997 sex worker convention</ref>


==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
''[[Born into Brothels]]'', a 2004 American documentary film about the children of prostitutes in Sonagachi, won the [[Academy Award for Documentary Feature]] in 2004.<ref name="NY Times">{{cite news |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/299929/Born-Into-Brothels/details |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228114417/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/299929/Born-Into-Brothels/details |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 December 2007 |department=Movies & TV Dept. |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=2007 |title=NY Times: Born into Brothels |access-date=23 November 2008}}</ref>
''[[Born into Brothels]]'', a 2004 American documentary film about the children of prostitutes in Sonagachi, won the [[Academy Award for Documentary Feature]] in 2004.<ref name="NY Times">{{cite news |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/299929/Born-Into-Brothels/details |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228114417/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/299929/Born-Into-Brothels/details |archive-date=28 December 2007 |department=Movies & TV Dept. |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=2007 |title=NY Times: Born into Brothels |access-date=23 November 2008}}</ref>


The documentary entitled ''Tales of The Night Fairies'' by Prof. Shohini Ghosh and Dr. Sabeena Ghadioke from Asia's leading Media institute [[AJK, Mass Communication Research Centre]], is about the Sonagachi area. It has won the Jeevika Award for the best documentary feature on livelihood in India.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ajkmcrc.org/faculty/shohini%20_gosh.asp |title=Welcome to AJK Mass Communication Research Centre |publisher=Ajkmcrc.org |date= |access-date=12 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304083532/http://ajkmcrc.org/faculty/shohini%20_gosh.asp |archive-date=4 March 2012 }}</ref>
The documentary entitled ''Tales of The Night Fairies'' by Prof. Shohini Ghosh and Dr. Sabeena Ghadioke from Asia's leading Media institute [[AJK, Mass Communication Research Centre]], is about the Sonagachi area. It has won the Jeevika Award for the best documentary feature on livelihood in India.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ajkmcrc.org/faculty/shohini%20_gosh.asp |title=Welcome to AJK Mass Communication Research Centre |publisher=Ajkmcrc.org |date= |access-date=12 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304083532/http://ajkmcrc.org/faculty/shohini%20_gosh.asp |archive-date=4 March 2012 }}</ref>


Popular actor [[Kamal Haasan]]'s movie ''[[Mahanadi (film)|Mahanadhi]]'' has a storyline based on the Sonagachi. The film won three awards at the [[41st National Film Awards]]. It received the [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil]] and [[H. Sridhar]] and K. M. Surya Narayan received the [[National Film Award for Best Audiography]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm41thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=41NFA.pdf |title=Directorate of Film Festival |publisher=Iffi.nic.in |date= |access-date=2 December 2013|archive-date=23 January 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180123051732/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm41thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=41NFA.pdf }}</ref> It also won [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize]] for Best Film.
Popular actor [[Kamal Haasan]]'s movie ''[[Mahanadhi (1994 film)|Mahanadhi]]'' has a storyline based on the Sonagachi. The film won three awards at the [[41st National Film Awards]]. It received the [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil]] and [[H. Sridhar]] and K. M. Surya Narayan received the [[National Film Award for Best Audiography]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm41thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=41NFA.pdf |title=Directorate of Film Festival |publisher=Iffi.nic.in |date= |access-date=2 December 2013|archive-date=23 January 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180123051732/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm41thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=41NFA.pdf }}</ref> It also won [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize]] for Best Film.


The Malayalam Film [[Calcutta News (film)|Calcutta News]] depicts the story of women being trafficked and forced to become sex worker in Sonagachi.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/review/9460.html|title= review of the film Calcutta News}}</ref>
The Malayalam film ''[[Calcutta News (film)|Calcutta News]]'' depicts the story of women being trafficked and forced to become sex worker in Sonagachi.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/review/9460.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071014032426/http://indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/review/9460.html|archive-date= 14 October 2007|title= review of the film Calcutta News}}</ref>


==See also==   
==See also==   
Line 74: Line 83:
* [[Prostitution in Mumbai]]  
* [[Prostitution in Mumbai]]  
* [[All Bengal Women's Union]]
* [[All Bengal Women's Union]]
* [[Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee]]
* [[Male prostitution]]


==References==
==References==
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==Bibliography==  
==Bibliography==  
{{Refbegin|30em}}   
{{Refbegin|30em}}   
* {{cite journal|title = Political space for the civil society: The work of two community-based organizations in Kolkata|journal = Habitat International|volume = 32|number = 4 |pages = 424–436|year = 2008|issn = 0197-3975 |doi = 10.1016/j.habitatint.2007.11.008 | url = https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197397507000756 |author = Anirban Pal }}
* {{cite journal|title = Political space for the civil society: The work of two community-based organizations in Kolkata|journal = Habitat International|volume = 32|number = 4 |pages = 424–436|year = 2008|issn = 0197-3975 |doi = 10.1016/j.habitatint.2007.11.008 | url = https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197397507000756 |author = Anirban Pal |url-access = subscription}}
* Mishra, Swasti Vardhan. “Reading Kolkata’s Space of Prostitution as a Political Society.” [[Environment and Urbanization ASIA]] 7, no. 2 (September 2016): 267–76. {{doi|10.1177/0975425316655653}}  
* Mishra, Swasti Vardhan. "Reading Kolkata's Space of Prostitution as a Political Society." [[Environment and Urbanization ASIA]] 7, no. 2 (September 2016): 267–76. {{doi|10.1177/0975425316655653}}  
* {{cite book|title= Dangerous Outcast: The Prostitute in Nineteenth Century Bengal |author=Banerjee, S.|isbn=978-8-170-46119-7|lccn=lc98908088|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8GtDN|year=1998|publisher= [[Seagull Books]] }}  
* {{cite book|title= Dangerous Outcast: The Prostitute in Nineteenth Century Bengal |author=Banerjee, S.|isbn=978-8-170-46119-7|lccn=lc98908088|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8GtDN|year=1998|publisher= [[Seagull Books]] }}  
* Cornish, Flora, and Riddhi Banerjee. “How Do Relationships Between Peer Educators and Sex Workers Lead to Increased Condom Use?: A Social Capital Interpretation of the Sonagachi Project.” Indian Anthropologist 43, no. 1 (2013): 51–64. {{jstor|41920141}}   
* Cornish, Flora, and Riddhi Banerjee. "How Do Relationships Between Peer Educators and Sex Workers Lead to Increased Condom Use?: A Social Capital Interpretation of the Sonagachi Project." Indian Anthropologist 43, no. 1 (2013): 51–64. {{JSTOR|41920141}}   
* [[Catharine A. MacKinnon|MacKinnon, Catharine A.]] "15. Trafficking, Prostitution, and Inequality". Butterfly Politics, Cambridge, MA and London, England: [[Harvard University Press]], 2017, pp.&nbsp;162–180. {{doi|10.4159/9780674977761-016}}  
* [[Catharine A. MacKinnon|MacKinnon, Catharine A.]] "15. Trafficking, Prostitution, and Inequality". Butterfly Politics, Cambridge, MA and London, England: [[Harvard University Press]], 2017, pp.&nbsp;162–180. {{doi|10.4159/9780674977761-016}}  
* {{cite book|title=Dangerous Sex, Invisible Labor: Sex Work and the Law in India|author=[[Prabha Kotiswaran|Kotiswaran, P.]]|isbn=978-0-691-14251-7 |lccn=2010052069|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PkikIdKkz4QC|year=2011|publisher=[[Princeton University Press]] }}   
* {{cite book|title=Dangerous Sex, Invisible Labor: Sex Work and the Law in India|author=[[Prabha Kotiswaran|Kotiswaran, P.]]|isbn=978-0-691-14251-7 |lccn=2010052069|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PkikIdKkz4QC|year=2011|publisher=[[Princeton University Press]] }}   
* {{cite book|title="Professional" Abortion Seekers: The Sex-workers of Kolkata| author=Ghosh, S. |isbn=978-8-1-890-4224-0|url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Professional_Abortion_Seekers/-k_EPgAACAAJ?hl=en | year=2003 |publisher=Abortion Assessment Project-India, Health watch Trust, Centre for Enquiry into Health and Allied Themes }}
* {{cite book|title="Professional" Abortion Seekers: The Sex-workers of Kolkata| author=Ghosh, S. |isbn=978-8-1-890-4224-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-k_EPgAACAAJ | year=2003 |publisher=Abortion Assessment Project-India, Health watch Trust, Centre for Enquiry into Health and Allied Themes }}
* {{cite book|title=Global Perspectives on Prostitution and Sex Trafficking: Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Oceania|isbn=978-0-739-13277-7|lccn=2010043820|series=Global Perspectives on Prostitution and Sex Trafficking|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z0uRsGnTMnwC|year=2011|publisher=[[Lexington Books]]}}
* {{cite book|title=Global Perspectives on Prostitution and Sex Trafficking: Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Oceania|isbn=978-0-739-13277-7|lccn=2010043820|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z0uRsGnTMnwC|year=2011|publisher=[[Lexington Books]]}}
* {{cite book|title=Discourse on Rights in India: Debates and Dilemmas|author1=Nanda, B. |author2=Ray, N.|isbn=978-0-429-82714-3|  url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SwtpDwAAQBAJ|year=2018|publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]]}}
* {{cite book|title=Discourse on Rights in India: Debates and Dilemmas|author1=Nanda, B. |author2=Ray, N.|isbn=978-0-429-82714-3|  url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SwtpDwAAQBAJ|year=2018|publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]]}}
* {{cite book|title=Trafficking in Women and Children in India|author1=Nair, P.M. |author2=Sen, S. |  isbn=978-8-125-02845-1|lccn=2006561197|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1xFnEyqFupUC|year=2005|publisher=[[Orient Longman]]}}  
* {{cite book|title=Trafficking in Women and Children in India|author1=Nair, P.M. |author2=Sen, S. |  isbn=978-8-125-02845-1|lccn=2006561197|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1xFnEyqFupUC|year=2005|publisher=[[Orient Longman]]}}  
* Gangopadhyay DN, Chanda M, Sarkar K, Niyogi SK, Chakraborty S, Saha MK, Manna B, Jana S, Ray P, Bhattacharya SK, Detels R. Evaluation of sexually transmitted diseases/human immunodeficiency virus intervention programs for sex workers in Calcutta, India. Sex Transm Dis. 2005 Nov;32(11):680-4. {{doi| 10.1097/01.olq.0000175399.43457.28}}. {{PMID|16254542}}; {{PMCID|2903624}}.
* {{cite journal | pmid = 16254542 | doi=10.1097/01.olq.0000175399.43457.28 | volume=32 | title=Evaluation of sexually transmitted diseases/human immunodeficiency virus intervention programs for sex workers in Calcutta, India | pmc=2903624 | year=2005 | journal=Sex Transm Dis | pages=680–4  | last1 = Gangopadhyay | first1 = DN | last2 = Chanda | first2 = M | last3 = Sarkar | first3 = K | last4 = Niyogi | first4 = SK | last5 = Chakraborty | first5 = S | last6 = Saha | first6 = MK | last7 = Manna | first7 = B | last8 = Jana | first8 = S | last9 = Ray | first9 = P | last10 = Bhattacharya | first10 = SK | last11 = Detels | first11 = R | issue=11 }}
* Tamang, Anand. A study of trafficked Nepalese girls and women in Mumbai and Kolkata, India / [principal investigator, Anand Tamang ; research director, John Frederick]. Kathmandu : Terre des hommes Foundation, 2005 (2006 printing). viii, 50 p.; 30&nbsp;cm. HQ240.B6 T35 2005 {{ISBN|9994656678}} {{LCCN|2008307461}}.
* Tamang, Anand. A study of trafficked Nepalese girls and women in Mumbai and Kolkata, India / [principal investigator, Anand Tamang ; research director, John Frederick]. Kathmandu : Terre des hommes Foundation, 2005 (2006 printing). viii, 50 p.; 30&nbsp;cm. HQ240.B6 T35 2005 {{ISBN|9994656678}} {{LCCN|2008307461}}.
* Sinha, Indrani, 1950-2015. Mothers for sale : women in Kolkata's sex trade / Indrani Sinha and Shamita Das Dasgupta. Kolkata : Dasgupta Alliance, 2009. xix, 267 p. ; 22&nbsp;cm. HQ240.C3 S49 2009 {{ISBN|978-8-182-11051-9}} {{LCCN|2009341771}}.
* Sinha, Indrani, 1950–2015. Mothers for sale : women in Kolkata's sex trade / Indrani Sinha and Shamita Das Dasgupta. Kolkata : Dasgupta Alliance, 2009. xix, 267 p. ; 22&nbsp;cm. HQ240.C3 S49 2009 {{ISBN|978-8-182-11051-9}} {{LCCN|2009341771}}.
* Bandyopadhyay K, Banerjee S, Goswami DN, Dasgupta A, Jana S. Predictors of Inconsistent Condom Use among Female Sex Workers: A Community-Based Study in a Red-Light Area of Kolkata, India. Indian J Community Med. 2018 Oct-Dec;43(4):274-278. {{doi|10.4103/ijcm.IJCM_84_18}}. {{PMID|30662179}}; {{PMCID|6319282}}.
* {{cite journal | pmid = 30662179 | doi=10.4103/ijcm.IJCM_84_18 | volume=43 | title=Predictors of Inconsistent Condom Use among Female Sex Workers: A Community-Based Study in a Red-Light Area of Kolkata, India | pmc=6319282 | year=2018 | journal=Indian J Community Med | pages=274–278  | last1 = Bandyopadhyay | first1 = K | last2 = Banerjee | first2 = S | last3 = Goswami | first3 = DN | last4 = Dasgupta | first4 = A | last5 = Jana | first5 = S | issue=4 | doi-access=free }}
* Karan A, Hansen N. Does the Stockholm Syndrome affect female sex workers? The case for a "Sonagachi Syndrome". BMC Int Health Hum Rights. 2018 Feb 6;18(1):10. {{doi|10.1186/s12914-018-0148-4}}. {{PMID|29409491}}; {{PMCID|5802051}}.
* {{cite journal | pmid = 29409491 | doi=10.1186/s12914-018-0148-4 | volume=18 | title=Does the Stockholm Syndrome affect female sex workers? The case for a "Sonagachi Syndrome" | pmc=5802051 | year=2018 | journal=BMC Int Health Hum Rights | article-number=10  | last1 = Karan | first1 = A | last2 = Hansen | first2 = N | issue=1 | doi-access=free }}
* Fehrenbacher AE, Chowdhury D, Ghose T, Swendeman D. Consistent Condom Use by Female Sex Workers in Kolkata, India: Testing Theories of Economic Insecurity, Behavior Change, Life Course Vulnerability and Empowerment. AIDS Behav. 2016 Oct;20(10):2332-2345. {{doi|10.1007/s10461-016-1412-z}}. Erratum in: AIDS Behav. 2017 Dec 4;: {{PMID|27170035}}; {{PMCID|5016559}}.
* {{cite journal | pmid = 27170035 | doi=10.1007/s10461-016-1412-z | volume=20 | title=Consistent Condom Use by Female Sex Workers in Kolkata, India: Testing Theories of Economic Insecurity, Behavior Change, Life Course Vulnerability and Empowerment | pmc=5016559 | year=2016 | journal=AIDS Behav | pages=2332–2345  | last1 = Fehrenbacher | first1 = AE | last2 = Chowdhury | first2 = D | last3 = Ghose | first3 = T | last4 = Swendeman | first4 = D | issue=10 }}
* Swendeman D, Fehrenbacher AE, Roy S, Das R, Ray P, Sumstine S, Ghose T, Jana S. Gender disparities in depression severity and coping among people living with HIV/AIDS in Kolkata, India. PLoS One. 2018 Nov 21;13(11):e0207055. {{doi|10.1371/journal.pone.0207055}}. Erratum in: PLoS One. 2019 Feb 22;14(2):e0213093. {{PMID|30462688}}; {{PMCID|6248946}}.
* {{cite journal | pmid = 30462688 | doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0207055 | volume=13 | title=Gender disparities in depression severity and coping among people living with HIV/AIDS in Kolkata, India | pmc=6248946 | year=2018 | journal=PLOS ONE | article-number=e0207055 | last1 = Swendeman | first1 = D | last2 = Fehrenbacher | first2 = AE | last3 = Roy | first3 = S | last4 = Das | first4 = R | last5 = Ray | first5 = P | last6 = Sumstine | first6 = S | last7 = Ghose | first7 = T | last8 = Jana | first8 = S | issue=11 | bibcode=2018PLoSO..1307055S | doi-access=free }}
* Sinha S, Prasad I. Examining hopes, aspirations, and future plans of women in non-brothel-based sex work in Kolkata, India. Cult Health Sex. 2021 Jul;23(7):913-926. {{doi|10.1080/13691058.2020.1740793}}. Epub 2020 May 26. {{PMID|32452748}}.
* {{cite journal | pmid = 32452748 | doi=10.1080/13691058.2020.1740793 | volume=23 | title=Examining hopes, aspirations, and future plans of women in non-brothel-based sex work in Kolkata, India | year=2021 | journal=Cult Health Sex | pages=913–926  | last1 = Sinha | first1 = S | last2 = Prasad | first2 = I | issue=7 }}
* Swendeman D, Fehrenbacher AE, Ali S, George S, Mindry D, Collins M, Ghose T, Dey B. "Whatever I have, I have made by coming into this profession": the intersection of resources, agency, and achievements in pathways to sex work in Kolkata, India. Arch Sex Behav. 2015 May;44(4):1011-23. {{doi| 10.1007/s10508-014-0404-1}}. Epub 2015 Jan 13. {{PMID|25583373}}; {{PMCID|4382371}}.
* {{cite journal | pmid = 25583373 | doi=10.1007/s10508-014-0404-1 | volume=44 | title="Whatever I have, I have made by coming into this profession": the intersection of resources, agency, and achievements in pathways to sex work in Kolkata, India | pmc=4382371 | year=2015 | journal=Arch Sex Behav | pages=1011–23  | last1 = Swendeman | first1 = D | last2 = Fehrenbacher | first2 = AE | last3 = Ali | first3 = S | last4 = George | first4 = S | last5 = Mindry | first5 = D | last6 = Collins | first6 = M | last7 = Ghose | first7 = T | last8 = Dey | first8 = B | issue=4 }}  
* Sinha S. Ethical and Safety Issues in Doing Sex Work Research: Reflections From a Field-Based Ethnographic Study in Kolkata, India. Qual Health Res. 2017 May;27(6):893-908. {{doi|10.1177/1049732316669338}}. Epub 2016 Sep 19. {{PMID|27651071}}; {{PMCID|5865471}}.
* {{cite journal | pmid = 27651071 | doi=10.1177/1049732316669338 | pmc=5865471 | volume=27 | title=Ethical and Safety Issues in Doing Sex Work Research: Reflections From a Field-Based Ethnographic Study in Kolkata, India | year=2017 | journal=Qual Health Res | pages=893–908  | last1 = Sinha | first1 = S | issue=6 }}
* Jana S, Ray P, Roy S, Kadam A, Gangakhedkar RR, Rewari BB, Moses S, Becker ML. Successful integration of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis into a community-based HIV prevention program for female sex workers in Kolkata, India. Int J STD AIDS. 2021 Jun;32(7):638-647. {{doi|10.1177/0956462420983992}}. Epub 2021 Feb 18. {{PMID|33596735}}; {{PMCID|8091404}}.
* {{cite journal | pmid = 33596735 | doi=10.1177/0956462420983992 | volume=32 | title=Successful integration of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis into a community-based HIV prevention program for female sex workers in Kolkata, India | pmc=8091404 | year=2021 | journal=Int J STD AIDS | pages=638–647  | last1 = Jana | first1 = S | last2 = Ray | first2 = P | last3 = Roy | first3 = S | last4 = Kadam | first4 = A | last5 = Gangakhedkar | first5 = RR | last6 = Rewari | first6 = BB | last7 = Moses | first7 = S | last8 = Becker | first8 = ML | issue=7 }}
* Jana S, Basu I, Rotheram-Borus MJ, Newman PA. The Sonagachi Project: a sustainable community intervention program. AIDS Educ Prev. 2004 Oct;16(5):405-14. {{doi|10.1521/aeap.16.5.405.48734}}. {{PMID|15491952}}.
* {{cite journal | pmid = 15491952 | doi=10.1521/aeap.16.5.405.48734 | volume=16 | title=The Sonagachi Project: a sustainable community intervention program | year=2004 | journal=AIDS Educ Prev | pages=405–14  | last1 = Jana | first1 = S | last2 = Basu | first2 = I | last3 = Rotheram-Borus | first3 = MJ | last4 = Newman | first4 = PA | issue=5 }}
* Ganguly S, Chakraborty D, Goswami DN. HIV/AIDS epidemic in West Bengal: An overview. J Family Med Prim Care. 2018 Sep-Oct;7(5):898-902. {{doi| 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_192_17}}. {{PMID|30598930}}; {{PMCID|6259504}}.
* {{cite journal | pmid = 30598930 | doi=10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_192_17 | volume=7 | title=HIV/AIDS epidemic in West Bengal: An overview | pmc=6259504 | year=2018 | journal=J Family Med Prim Care | pages=898–902  | last1 = Ganguly | first1 = S | last2 = Chakraborty | first2 = D | last3 = Goswami | first3 = DN | issue=5 | doi-access=free }}
* Sarkar K, Bal B, Mukherjee R, Chakraborty S, Saha S, Ghosh A, Parsons S. Sex-trafficking, violence, negotiating skill, and HIV infection in brothel-based sex workers of eastern India, adjoining Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. J Health Popul Nutr. 2008 Jun;26(2):223-31. {{PMID|18686555}}; {{PMCID| 2740670}}.
* {{cite journal | pmid = 18686555 | volume=26 | title=Sex-trafficking, violence, negotiating skill, and HIV infection in brothel-based sex workers of eastern India, adjoining Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh | pmc=2740670 | year=2008 | journal=J Health Popul Nutr | pages=223–31  | last1 = Sarkar | first1 = K | last2 = Bal | first2 = B | last3 = Mukherjee | first3 = R | last4 = Chakraborty | first4 = S | last5 = Saha | first5 = S | last6 = Ghosh | first6 = A | last7 = Parsons | first7 = S | issue=2 }}
* Kumar S. Model for sexual health found in India's West Bengal. [[The Lancet|Lancet]]. 1998 Jan 3;351(9095):46. {{doi|10.1016/S0140-6736(05)78070-3}}. {{PMID|9454057}}.
* {{cite journal | pmid = 9454057 | doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(05)78070-3 | volume=351 | title=Model for sexual health found in India's West Bengal | year=1998 | journal=Lancet | page=46  | last1 = Kumar | first1 = S | issue=9095 }}
* Evans C, Lambert H. The limits of behaviour change theory: condom use and contexts of HIV risk in the Kolkata sex industry. Cult Health Sex. 2008 Jan;10(1):27-42. {{doi|10.1080/13691050701561393}}. {{PMID|18038279}}.
* {{cite journal | last1 = Evans | first1 = C | last2 = Lambert | first2 = H | date = Jan 2008 | title = The limits of behaviour change theory: condom use and contexts of HIV risk in the Kolkata sex industry | url = | journal = Cult Health Sex | volume = 10 | issue = 1| pages = 27–42 | doi = 10.1080/13691050701561393 | pmid = 18038279 }}
* Sinha A, Goswami DN, Haldar D, Choudhury KB, Saha MK, Dutta S. Sociobehavioural matrix and knowledge, attitude and practises regarding HIV/AIDS among female sex workers in an international border area of West Bengal, India. J Family Med Prim Care. 2020 Mar 26;9(3):1728-1732. {{doi| 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1196_19}}. {{PMID|32509679}}; {{PMCID|7266195}}.
* {{cite journal | pmid = 32509679 | doi=10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1196_19 | volume=9 | title=Sociobehavioural matrix and knowledge, attitude and practises regarding HIV/AIDS among female sex workers in an international border area of West Bengal, India | pmc=7266195 | year=2020 | journal=J Family Med Prim Care | pages=1728–1732  | last1 = Sinha | first1 = A | last2 = Goswami | first2 = DN | last3 = Haldar | first3 = D | last4 = Choudhury | first4 = KB | last5 = Saha | first5 = MK | last6 = Dutta | first6 = S | issue=3 | doi-access=free }}
* Ghosh, Swati. “Empowerment of Sex Workers: The Kolkata Experience.” [[Economic and Political Weekly]], vol. 41, no. 13, Economic and Political Weekly, 2006, pp.&nbsp;1289–91, {{jstor|4418032}}.
* Ghosh, Swati. "Empowerment of Sex Workers: The Kolkata Experience." [[Economic and Political Weekly]], vol. 41, no. 13, Economic and Political Weekly, 2006, pp.&nbsp;1289–91, {{JSTOR|4418032}}.
* Sarkar, K., B. Bal, R. Mukherjee, S.K. Niyogi, M.K. Saha, and S.K. Bhattacharya. “Epidemiology of HIV Infection among Brothel-Based Sex Workers in Kolkata, India.” Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition 23, no. 3 (2005): 231–35. {{jstor|23499323}}.
* Sarkar, K., B. Bal, R. Mukherjee, S.K. Niyogi, M.K. Saha, and S.K. Bhattacharya. "Epidemiology of HIV Infection among Brothel-Based Sex Workers in Kolkata, India." ''Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition'' 23, no. 3 (2005): 231–35. {{JSTOR|23499323}}.
* Bandyopadhyay, Aparna. “CHRONICLES OF LOVE, BETRAYAL AND PROSTITUTION IN LATE COLONIAL BENGAL.” Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, vol. 75, [[Indian History Congress]], 2014, pp.&nbsp;723–28, {{jstor|44158453}}.
* Bandyopadhyay, Aparna. "CHRONICLES OF LOVE, BETRAYAL AND PROSTITUTION IN LATE COLONIAL BENGAL." Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, vol. 75, [[Indian History Congress]], 2014, pp.&nbsp;723–28, {{JSTOR|44158453}}.
* Nag, Moni. “Sex Workers in Sonagachi: Pioneers of a Revolution.” [[Economic and Political Weekly]], vol. 40, no. 49, Economic and Political Weekly, 2005, pp.&nbsp;5151–56, {{jstor|4417483}}.
* Nag, Moni. "Sex Workers in Sonagachi: Pioneers of a Revolution." [[Economic and Political Weekly]], vol. 40, no. 49, Economic and Political Weekly, 2005, pp.&nbsp;5151–56, {{JSTOR|4417483}}.
* Evans, Catrin, and Helen Lambert. “The Limits of Behaviour Change Theory: Condom Use and Contexts of HIV Risk in the Kolkata Sex Industry.” Culture, Health & Sexuality, vol. 10, no. 1, [[Taylor & Francis]], Ltd., 2008, pp.&nbsp;27–42, {{jstor|20460978}}.
* Evans, Catrin, and Helen Lambert. "The Limits of Behaviour Change Theory: Condom Use and Contexts of HIV Risk in the Kolkata Sex Industry." ''Culture, Health & Sexuality'', vol. 10, no. 1, [[Taylor & Francis]], Ltd., 2008, pp.&nbsp;27–42, {{JSTOR|20460978}}.
* [[Prabha Kotiswaran|Kotiswaran, Prabha]]. “Born Unto Brothels: Toward a Legal Ethnography of Sex Work in an Indian Red-Light Area.” [[Law & Social Inquiry]], vol. 33, no. 3, [ [[American Bar Foundation]], Wiley], 2008, pp.&nbsp;579–629, {{jstor|20108776}}.
* [[Prabha Kotiswaran|Kotiswaran, Prabha]]. "Born Unto Brothels: Toward a Legal Ethnography of Sex Work in an Indian Red-Light Area." [[Law & Social Inquiry]], vol. 33, no. 3, [ [[American Bar Foundation]], Wiley], 2008, pp.&nbsp;579–629, {{JSTOR|20108776}}.
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{{Portal bar|India|human sexuality|Prostitution|Sex work|Feminism}}
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Latest revision as of 04:13, 28 October 2025


Prostitution in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is present in different forms and Kolkata's sex industry is one of the largest in Asia.[1][2][3] Prostitution may be brothel-based or non-brothel based as in the case of call girls. India is regarded as having one of the largest commercial sex trades globally.[4] Kolkata has many red-light districts, out of which Sonagachi is the largest red-light district in Asia with more than 50,000 commercial sex workers.[5][6][7] According to a 2019 study by the Indian Journal of Public Health reported that West Bengal had the highest number of female sex workers (FSWs) in India, contributing nearly 25% of the country's total estimated 1.82 million FSWs. This suggests that around 455,000 FSWs were in West Bengal at that time.[8]

Prostitute population[edit | edit source]

The total number of prostitutes in Kolkata is unknown. Some estimates state that there are more than 60,000 brothel-based women and girls in prostitution in Kolkata.[9][10][11]

The population of prostitutes in Sonagachi constitutes mainly of Nepalese, Bangladeshi and Indian women trafficked from north eastern and neighboring states, many who are trafficked into the area by their boyfriends or family.[10] Some sources estimate that are 30,000 Bangladeshi women in the brothels of Kolkata.[12]

According to some sources the most common form of trafficking consists in offering false promises or some offer of help out of a dead-end or crisis situation, force is used later after the prostitutes have already been sold. "Mashis (brothel owners/older sex workers) use friendship, sympathy, also veiled threats to convince the women that it is now in their best interest to conform and begin working."[9] The Crime Branch of Delhi Police has recovered one girl from Rabindra Sarani, Sonagachi who was missing along with eight other female inmates from Sanskar Ashram in Dilshad Garden since December 2, 2018. Eight out of these nine girls were originally from Nepal, while the ninth girl was from Bhagalpur, Bihar. These girls had been rescued from a brothel in G.B. Road," police said.[13]

History of prostitution[edit | edit source]

See also: Prostitution in colonial India

A farcical short-drama book named Beshyaleela ( বেশ্যালীলা ) was printed in the middle of the year 1880 written by an anonymous writer ( অজ্ঞাতনামা ). It is not very familiar or much discussed book till now. In this drama, a good description can be found about the negative attitudes shown by the then existing 19th century educated Bengali Babu class of people towards the prostitutes and the prostitution. From the first half of the 19th century, centering on Sonagachhi, a huge organised prostitution area surrounding Cornwallis Street (Now Bidhan Sarani) on the east, and Chitpur on the west were formed. Although many areas in Calcutta were inhabited by those prostitutes outside those areas also. On the south it was Kalighat to Khidirpur dock areas, in the middle-Calcutta it was Kalinga-Fenwick Bazar, on the far south in Kareya area many girls from different social-classes of Hindu-Muslim-Christian communities were engaged with this profession. More than that, there was no clear 'mark' or 'boundary-line' between the 'gentleman areas' and the 'prostitutes areas'. Many areas had scattered or mixed up population of those two kinds. Rather, many areas could be termed as 'half-gentleman' areas, where normal gentleman's families and various types of prostitutes co-existed side by side. From the middle of the 19th century, the British colonial administration, Christian Missionaries, and native English-knowing educated 'Victorian' Indian gentlemen started campaign against prostitutes. This was their part of the project of social 'sanitation' process for creating the so-called 'gentle-society'. Under the leadership of Mr. Kaliprasanna Singha, the 'Vidyotsahini Sabha' ( বিদ্যোৎসাহিনী সভা ) submitted one mass-petition in the Indian Legislative Council.

Red-light districts[edit | edit source]

A scene in Sonagachi, Kolkata's red light district, 2005.

Bowbazar[edit | edit source]

See also: Bowbazar

Bowbazar has a red-light district where about 15,000 prostitutes work.[14] The surrounding areas are inhabited by slum dwellers, truckers and migrant labourers. The adjacent Tiretta Bazar area is mainly a loading – unloading point with offices or godowns of a large number of transport companies. The area is very unsanitary.[15]

Garia[edit | edit source]

See also: Garia

There is a small red-light district in Garia.[16] There were plans to build a home for retired sex workers in the area.[17]

Kalighat[edit | edit source]

See also: Kalighat

In south Kolkata, there is a red light district in the neighbourhood of Kalighat. Located around the banks of the Adi Ganga canal, an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 prostitutes live and work there.[18] Kolkata has emerged as a hub for the trafficking of girls, who often arrive from Nepal, Bangladesh, Assam and Burma. From Kolkata they are often sold again to brothels in Mumbai (Bombay) or Chennai (Madras). Some will go on to the Middle East, Africa and Europe.[19] Many of the women in Sonnagachi were forcedly taken away from their homes; some were tricked and others sold into prostitution by their friends and families; most of them are illiterate.[20]

Kidderpore[edit | edit source]

See also: Kidderpore

The red-light district in Kidderpore is the third largest in Kolkata.[16] NGO Apne Aap has a support centre in the area and has made two films about life in Kidderpore's red-light district: Kali and Shaadi Ka Shart Shauchalaya.[21]

Lebu Bagan[edit | edit source]

There is a small, little known red-light district in north Kolkata called Lebu Bagan. About 100 prostitutes work there in four streets.[18]

Sonagachi[edit | edit source]

See also: Sonagachi

The largest red-light district in Kolkata, is Sonagachi, it is also the largest red-light district in India.[22] The area came to be known as Sona Gachi from a Sufi saint Sona Ghazi whose tomb (mazaar) is located in the locality.[23] It is an area with several hundred multi-storey brothels, and around 10,000 sex workers.[24] Sonagachi is located in North-Kolkata near the intersection of Chittaranjan Avenue Sova Bazar and Beadon Street, just north of the Marble Palace. The Prostitute Population mostly consists of woman's from poor regions of neighboring states and border regions. Previously there were many local prostitutes in Sonagachi. But now Rajasthani, Bihari, Odia and Khamia-Nepalese prostitutes have gained in number. According to class-division, the red-light areas of Kolkata are also divided into four different classes: poor-class, lower-class, middle-class, and rich-class. For example, The red-light area which once existed opposite to the diagonal angle of Khanna Cinema Hall was of 'poor-class'. When they contacted customers, they asked them "Khat-e na Chot-e" ? Which means, "Do you want to sleep in wooden cot or on jute-sheet spread over the floor?" As customers wished, the fee varied according to their choice. The lower-class and middle-class of prostitute areas were scattered around Haarkaata Gully and near Chetla/Kalighat bridge.[25]

Several non-government organizations and government organizations operate here for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) including AIDS. Sonagachi project is a prostitute's cooperative that operates in the area and empowers sex workers to insist on condom use; a relatively low percentage of prostitutes in this district (5.17% of the 13,000 prostitutes in Sonagachi) are estimated to be HIV positive.[26] However, these efforts are hindered by human trafficking: refusal of clients to wear condom, and women controlled by third parties are forced to oblige.

According to some sources, prostitutes from Sonagachi who test HIV positive are not told about the results, and live with the disease without knowing about it "because the DMSC is worried that HIV positive women will be ostracized."[27] Some prostitutes in Sonagachi have stated that "the clients, at least three quarters of them" refuse to use condoms and "If we force them to use the condom, they will just go next door. There are so many women working here, and in the end, everyone is prepared to work without protection for fear of losing trade."[27]

Tollygunge[edit | edit source]

See also: Tollygunge

Tollygunge is a small red-light district located near Prince Anwar Shah Road.[14]

Street prostitution[edit | edit source]

Street prostitutes work in Esplanade Crossing,[28] opposite of cinema 'Metro' and in the street between Elite Cinema Hall and Regal Cinema Hall, Jagat Cinema near Sealdah station and under Sealdah flyover,[28] and another place is Ultadanga flyover and railway foot over bridge, Kalighat[28] and Garia.[17] Also a very small level high class escort service operates here, mostly college student or housewives or executives. Generally they use hotels booked by client or the flat of their pimp.

Male prostitutes often pick up clients in the Maidan, particularly in front of the Victoria Memorial.[29]

Call girls[edit | edit source]

Call girls operate independently and through pimps or escort agencies. Prostitution is operated from many beauty parlours and massage parlors in the city.[30][31] Pimps (commonly called agents) in nightclubs, pubs, star hotels and floorboys acting as agents generally keep catalogues with pictures of the call girls.[31] The girls operate in places like flats, hotels, etc.[32] Generally the call girls go to the rooms in star hotels. However, when the client cannot provide a place of convenience, the agents provide one and the place is generally decided on before.[31]

Call girls in Kolkata may come from middle class, upper middle class and upper-class families. They may be executives, housewives, college students or actresses.[31][32]

The Kolkata Police have connections with many call girls working as their informers. Many criminals like to spend time with the girls. Hence some call girls are used by the police to get information about suspected criminals.[33]

Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee (DMSC), which runs the Sonagachi project and several similar projects in West Bengal, lobbies for the recognition of sex workers' rights and full legalization.[34] DMSC hosted India's first national convention of sex workers on 14 November 1997, in Kolkata, entitled 'Sex Work is Real Work: We Demand Workers Rights'.[35]

In popular culture[edit | edit source]

Born into Brothels, a 2004 American documentary film about the children of prostitutes in Sonagachi, won the Academy Award for Documentary Feature in 2004.[36]

The documentary entitled Tales of The Night Fairies by Prof. Shohini Ghosh and Dr. Sabeena Ghadioke from Asia's leading Media institute AJK, Mass Communication Research Centre, is about the Sonagachi area. It has won the Jeevika Award for the best documentary feature on livelihood in India.[37]

Popular actor Kamal Haasan's movie Mahanadhi has a storyline based on the Sonagachi. The film won three awards at the 41st National Film Awards. It received the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil and H. Sridhar and K. M. Surya Narayan received the National Film Award for Best Audiography.[38] It also won Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize for Best Film.

The Malayalam film Calcutta News depicts the story of women being trafficked and forced to become sex worker in Sonagachi.[39]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Catrin Evans and Helen Lambert (2008). "The limits of behaviour change theory: Condom use and contexts of HIV risk in the Kolkata sex industry". Culture, Health & Sexuality. 10 (1). Taylor & Francis: 27–41. doi:10.1080/13691050701561393. PMID 18038279. S2CID 24642896.
  2. ↑ Sinha, Sunny (2017). "Ethical and Safety Issues in Doing Sex Work Research: Reflections from a Field-Based Ethnographic Study in Kolkata, India". Qualitative Health Research. 27 (6): 893–908. doi:10.1177/1049732316669338. PMC 5865471. PMID 27651071.
  3. ↑ Ghosal, Sayantan; Jana, Smarajit; Mani, Anandi; Mitra, Sandip; Roy, Sanchari (2020). ""Sex Workers, Stigma and Self-Image: Evidence from Kolkata Brothels"". The Review of Economics and Statistics. 104 (3): 1–45. doi:10.1162/rest_a_01013. ISSN 0034-6535. S2CID 229182008.
  4. ↑ Dalla, Rochelle L.; Kreimer, Lee M. (13 October 2016). ""After Your Honor is Gone…": Exploration of Developmental Trajectories and Life Experiences of Women Working in Mumbai's Red-Light Brothel Districts". Sexuality & Culture. 21 (1): 163–186. doi:10.1007/s12119-016-9388-4. ISSN 1095-5143. S2CID 146803616.
  5. ↑ Vijayendra Rao and Indrani Gupta and Michael Lokshin and Smarajit Jana (2003). "Sex workers and the cost of safe sex: the compensating differential for condom use among Calcutta prostitutes". Journal of Development Economics. 71 (2): 585–603. doi:10.1016/S0304-3878(03)00025-7. ISSN 0304-3878. S2CID 153608532.
  6. ↑ Satarupa Dasgupta (2019). "Participation as a Health Communication Strategy in HIV/AIDS Intervention Projects: an Examination of a Project Targeting Commercial Sex Workers in India". Atlantic Journal of Communication. 27 (2). Routledge: 139–151. doi:10.1080/15456870.2019.1574535. S2CID 150465047.
  7. ↑ Mishra, Swasti Vardhan (2016). "Reading Kolkata's Space of Prostitution as a Political Society". Environment and Urbanization Asia. 7 (2): 267–276. Bibcode:2016EnUrA...7..267M. doi:10.1177/0975425316655653.
  8. ↑ Aridoss, Santhakumar; Arumugam, Elangovan; Kangusamy, Boopathi; Sahu, Damodar; Adhikary, Rajatashuvra; Kumar, Pradeep (2020). "Size Estimation of high-risk groups for hiv infection in india based on data from national integrated bio-behavioral surveillance and targeted interventions". Indian Journal of Public Health. 64 (5): S39–S45. doi:10.4103/ijph.IJPH_46_20. PMID 32295955.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Facts on Human Trafficking". www.saribari.com. Archived from the original on 19 July 2009.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Plight of prostitutes in Kolkata". Merinews.com. Archived from the original on 5 December 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  11. ↑ RAY, SANJOY (15 September 2010). "Trafficked girls from NE end up in Kolkata brothels". assamtribune.com.
  12. ↑ Shahidullah, Shahid M. (2017). Crime, Criminal Justice, and the Evolving Science of Criminology in South Asia: India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Springer. p. 230. ISBN 978-1-137-50750-1.
  13. ↑ Subhas, Biswajit. "police rescue girl from red light area in kolkata".
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Vulnerability of Children Living in the Red Light Areas of Kolkata, India" (PDF). End Child Prostitution and Trafficking. July 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 December 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  15. ↑ "Jabala Jaag". CRY. Archived from the original on 8 December 2007. Retrieved 16 August 2007.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Rose, Madison Leigh (27 August 2012). "Red Light City: Sex Workers' Experiences of the City of Joy". Madison Leigh Rose. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Chaudhuri, Himika (18 February 2002). "Garia home for aged sex workers - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Gill, Harsimran. "Living in the Shadows" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  19. ↑ Grant, Matthew (30 November 2004). "Girl-trafficking hampers Aids fight". BBC News.
  20. ↑ Prostitutes Calcutta Sex Slaves. Across.co.nz (7 November 2005). Retrieved on 23 October 2011.
  21. ↑ Ghose, Chandreyee (27 November 2015). "When dreams find voice, it's time to say fatafati". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  22. ↑ "As Songachi changes colours, visitors drawn by art, not lust". The Times of India. July 2018.
  23. ↑ "Prostitutes and AIDS in India". Alicia Patterson Foundation. Archived from the original on 15 October 2007.
  24. ↑ Girl-trafficking hampers Aids fight BBC news. 30 November 2004
  25. ↑ "Sex workers from Sonagachi call SC verdict 'step towards life of dignity'". The Hindu. 27 May 2022.
  26. ↑ In Sonagachi, keeping HIV away a daily battle. Indian Express (2 December 2009). Retrieved on 23 October 2011.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Welcome to Sonagachi – Calcutta's largest brothel area is thriving Archived 11 October 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Tom Vater (12 May 2004). Retrieved on 23 October 2011.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 "Rickshaw pullers" (PDF). Shodhganga. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  29. ↑ Ghosh, Aditya; Gupta, Jayanta (20 September 2001). "C'mon baby, light my fire". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  30. ↑ Kolkata cop's wife in prostitution racket Rediff.com
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 Mitra, Nabamita; Chatterjee, Chandreyee; Chattopadhyaya, Sanjoy (1 April 2007). "New girls on the block". The Telegraph. Calcutta, India. Archived from the original on 12 November 2007. The Telegraph – 1 April 2007
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 "Hidden sex trade -callgirls of kolkatta". United States National Library of Medicine Gateway. Archived from the original on 29 April 2007. Retrieved 10 March 2007.
  33. ↑ Call girl aide to catch criminals- 230 escorts brought into the detective department fold The Telegraph – 12 May 2006
  34. ↑ durbar.org, homepage of the Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee
  35. ↑ Sex work is real work: We demand workers rights Archived 12 December 2006 at the Wayback Machine, announcement of the 1997 sex worker convention
  36. ↑ "NY Times: Born into Brothels". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2007. Archived from the original on 28 December 2007. Retrieved 23 November 2008.
  37. ↑ "Welcome to AJK Mass Communication Research Centre". Ajkmcrc.org. Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  38. ↑ "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF). Iffi.nic.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 January 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  39. ↑ "review of the film Calcutta News". Archived from the original on 14 October 2007.

Bibliography[edit | edit source]

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