Prostitution as a Grey Area: Examining the Coexistence of Structural Constraint and Women's Agency

This paper examines prostitution as a socio-legal and historical grey area situated between structural constraint and women’s agency. Rather than treating prostitution exclusively as either empowerment or exploitation, the study argues that lived realities frequently involve constrained choices shaped by economic inequality, gender norms, law, and historical structures. Special attention is given to Indian historical and contemporary case studies including Devadasi traditions, Mughal courtesan (tawaif) culture, Sonagachi, Kamathipura redevelopment debates, constitutional developments, and literary perspectives from Saadat Hasan Manto. Drawing on legal analysis, feminist theory, sociological literature, and historical interpretation, the paper proposes a rights-based and context-sensitive framework for understanding prostitution. Keywords: prostitution, sex work, feminism, agency, trafficking, India, gender inequality, law and society.