From a Respected Tawaif to the Infamous Prostitute - Understanding Access to Justice and Navigating through Dispute Redressal Mechanisms Available to Independent Women Street Sex Workers

Indian women street sex workers' legal rights and access to justice are examined in this study. It examines how sex work restrictions affect independent sex workers' right to justice. The study suggests using informal justice institutions, including mediation, to resolve these vulnerable women's issues. It contends that women street sex workers need a venue outside the legal system to seek reparation and justice. The research emphasises the necessity to distinguish between decriminalisation and legalisation of sex work and the importance of the work environment in identifying adequate conflict settlement procedures. Independent sex workers have few legal choices because to the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, which criminalises solicitation and operating near public locations. The work explores the idea of using civil law remedies, such as mediation, to address these clauses and other acts connected to women sex workers. It is a novel yet a plausible remedy, as will be stated in detail. The research presents an overview of the legal framework and its shortcomings, thus, prompting the exploration of alternate ways to address women street sex workers' issues. Access to justice and its denial in the legal and social setting are examined. The paper defines informal justice systems (IJS) and examines them in different cultures. It examines IJS's suitability for handling sex work conflicts. The paper also highlights the limitations of formal alternative dispute resolution processes like arbitration in resolving the specific conflicts of independent women street sex workers