Published/ publié in Res Militaris (resmilitaris.net), vol.13, n°3, March Spring (2023) Legalisation Of Prostitution In India Through The Lens Of Sdg’s: An Empirical Study By Janees Rafiq BA-LLB (Honours), School of Law, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India Email ID: rafiqjanees@gmail.com Dr. Geeta Assistant Professor, School of Law, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India Email ID: geetageeta1183@gmail.com Abstract Commercialization of the body of women for the purpose of self-sustenance or other economic and social reasons is called as prostitution which is an age old phenomenon of the human history. Being one of the indelible stains of contemporary society, it still continues to be a taboo and is seen with much furore. Some of the sex worker demanded legalization of prostitution and regulation thereto while others have been against the legalization of prostitution and any legal regulation in relation to the profession. This paper is to showcase all the challenges and problems faced by the prostitutes in India from the olden days. The researchers analyzed that how regularization of prostitution is dignifying the industry in the field of prostitution business and not serving the interest of sex workers in India? The researchers analyzed how the sustainable development goals and prostitution don’t go hand in hand and presented the interplay between the two through this paper. The paper further presents the unheard side of sex workers who are not favouring the legalization of prostitution and presents their idea of improving the condition of women in sex work in general. The paper is in the form of the plea against the legalization of prostitution detected through the views shared by sex workers themselves who were the part of the empirical study for this paper. The paper also analyzed the legal framework available with the help of doctrinal and non-doctrinal research methodology. Keywords: Sex Work, Regulations, Demeaning, Marginalization, Commercialization, Illegal, Prostitution Industry, Sustainable Development Goals. 1. Introduction Prostitution is the utilization of woman’s body either for varied purposes like self - sustenance that has been in existence in human civilization for centuries together. The word, ‘prostitute’ is of Latin origin (‘prostibula’ or ‘proseda’) (Gathia & Labour, 1999)1 In the ancient Greece, the houses of prostitutes or harlots were made accessible in such a way so as not to keep young men away from their exercise. These prostitutes stood before the lupanaria (brothels) to lure the customers for their bodies(N. Devi, 2016). 2 In the present century, however, women are not the only ones indulged in this profession. Both transgender persons 1 Gathia, J. A., & Labour, C. O. C. F. C. (1999). Child Prostitution in India. Concept Publishing Company. 2 Devi, N. (2016). Sexual Offences Against Children In India: On The Higher Side. Retrieved March 11, 2023, from https://www.recentscientific.com/sites/default/files/6089.pdf