The move by government to restrain human desire by stringent law has proved
ineffective. The law was able to remove the red light areas from people's
sight. But prostitution prospered in massage parlors, sports massage centers
and other places. The brothels that used to exist in certain regions have
infiltrated residential and office areas.
Many lawmakers were skeptical about the effectiveness of the law when it was
first put forward. But none of them were able to oppose it for fear of being
branded supporters of prostitution. The Ministry of Gender Equality and some
women's organizations were in the forefront for the legislation and there was
no place for male politicians to oppose their fundamentalist approach to the
affair. Their intention to do away with sex trade was right. But relying on a
stringent law was naive.
It must be pointed out that the law has made it more difficult to resolve the
matter. The brothels used to be confined to certain areas, but the law has made
them go underground. Outwardly, they are nowhere, but actually they are
everywhere. Outbreaks of venereal disease are said to be increasing. Another
outstanding matter is that even the women selling sex do not support the law.
Those who used to work in red light districts are supported by the government in their attempts to abandon prostitution and become self-reliant according to the law. But in reality, most of the prostitutes have returned to their original work. The government's move to eradicate prostitution through passing a law has ended in failure. The government should work out measures to check prostitution's rampant growth before it is too late.
