After reading Naresh Newar's 'Selling sex to survive' (# 190), I have a very practical (albeit unoriginal) idea: legalise and regulate the flesh trade. In France and the Netherlands, prostitution is legal and well regulated with sex workers being represented by their own trade unions (they even go on strikes). In Thailand, the industry fetches over 15 percent of the country's foreign income and the government not only provides support but also promotes the trade as one of their best tourist attractions. Does that not tell us something? As Newar points out, prostitution can't be eradicated because everyone from politicians, writers and journalists to the policeman, soldier and civilian use this service. Why do we have to be hypocritical about the oldest profession in the world? Legalising it would increase government revenue instead of lining the pockets of corrupt officials. It would control AIDS, Hepatitis-B and other STDs and would mean more jobs that in turn would mean more stability and security for the country.

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