Research
Papers

Man – the provider, the protector, the penetrator and the predator – as per the classical / traditional paradigm of masculinity. Woman – the receiver, the nurturer, the penetrated and the victim – as per the classical / traditional paradigm of feminity. Child – the dependant, needing protection, provisions and guidance – as per the classical / traditional paradigm of childhood. Man, Woman and Child studies how this triangle of paradigms is not just ever-present in red-light areas– as centres for brothel-based prostitution are popularly termed – but is also imbibed in the way prostitution is understood by organizations implementing anti-trafficking and child protection programmes in red-light areas. And how these paradigms are woven into the positions taken by such organizations – thereby influencing the manner in which interventions are designed. Apart from recommending capacity building with such organizations to help them explore their own locations / biases about prostitution and the programmatic implications about such standings, the study also puts forward the need for a separate, in-depth study on the factors of resilience for women in prostitution and their children, in order to inform effective and efficient psychosocial programmes for these population groups. It also recommends capacity building of organizational management towards ensuring community participation in red-light area programming.