Mumbai contains the largest red light district in Asia, in the neighborhood of nearby location is estimated to have over five thousand sex workers, who are identified as male, female, and transgender. Of the estimated five thousand sex workers located in Kamathipura the majority are assumed to be victims of sex trafficking.
[2] However it is difficult to determine the exact number of those involved in trafficking in the red light districts of Mumbai due to the criminal nature of the issue and the scale of it.[2] The victims are typically young girls, and are usually trafficked from the surrounding areas, but they are sometimes trafficked from neighboring countries[2] such as Nepal and Bangladesh.[2] Hijaras can also be found working in the red light districts of Mumbai.
It has been argued that hijaras are more likely to participate in high risk sex acts with clients because it is believed they cannot contract or spread disease or illness.[8] Sex workers in Mumbai at brothels and other commercial sex sites are visited by both men from the local area and those traveling to the area in search of employment.[9]