"The cost of making an atom bomb should be set against the cost of rescuing and
rehabilitating girls and women trapped in prostitution," said Ebadi, the 2003
Nobel Peace Prize winner, the only Iranian to win the coveted honour, here
Saturday.
"Governments complain about not having money or resources to end sexual
trafficking of women. But that's only an excuse," Ebadi told rights activists
and journalists at the India International Centre here.
The 59-year-old lawyer and human rights activist - an icon for many in Iran -
was invited to India by Apne Aap Women Worldwide, an NGO engaged in fighting
sexual exploitation of women.
Ebadi also launched "The Place Where I Live is Called a Red Light Area" - a
book that chronicles the anguish and sadness of teenagers living in Kalighat
and Sonagachi - the areas infamous for prostitution in Kolkata.
The book contains first person accounts of teenagers living in a place scorned
by civilised society and evokes their raw feelings of rejection and daily
humiliation through simple but haunting sketches.
"In your country, the military budget is more than the combined budget on
health and education," Ebadi said while pointing to the flourishing of
prostitution in different parts of India despite a legal bar on it.
Iranian women were trafficked to different countries and some of them ended up
in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
Ebadi also said that despite being illegal in Iran, prostitution not only
thrived but women were also trafficked into that country from Pakistan,
Afghanistan and other Caucasian countries.
"The victory of feminist movements in every country will open the door for more
democracy. A sacred battle is being fought in Iran for equal rights of men and
women," she added.
Ebadi outlined some steps for the rehabilitation of sex workers by teaching
them alternative skills and opening of more vocational courses by the
government.
"Violence against women knows no geographical boundaries, caste or class.
Taking measures to stop violence against women is central to the 11th five year
plan," said Syeda Hameed, women rights activist and a member of the Planning
Commission.
