Tehran, 6 October (AKI) - The phenomenon of prostitution in Iran has seen a strong increase in the past few years and experts are saying it will continue to grow due to poverty and divorce. Amanollah Qarai, a sociologist, says that prostitution in his country is tied to problems such as divorce and widespread socio-cultural austerity, which can bring a rise in divorces.

Qarai, interviewed by conservative news agency Fardanews, blames the government for the phenomenon.

"No woman, unless forced by her living conditions, would prostitute herself. The responsibility for the increase in prostitution is of the entire community and above all, the government," said Qarai.

He also said that no Iranian government has ever been willing to resolve the problem and that a punitive policy would not work.

"Adopting punitive measures against prostitutes will not solve the problem. Instead it is necessary to invest in education and in a system of social welfare that can allow these women to live normal lives again."

Prostitution in Iran began to grow at the end of the 1990's and it affects mainly urban centres such as the capital Tehran and Isfahan, as well as religious cities such as Qom and Mashhad, where the "temporary marriage" phenomenon under Shia Islam legitimises sexual relationships outside of marriage.

Prostitution in Iran is illegal and can incur various punishments ranging from jail terms, fines or execution for repeat offenders.