Criminalizing the men instead of the women, who, at the end of the day, are victims, initiates a shift in attitudes.
And as far as the various components addressing violence against women go, they were long overdue. This legislation is absolutely needed not just because it endeavours to create equality between men and women, but also because it shows that prostitution isn't innocuous, isn't an option that should be considered when someone is going through a hard time.
A country that offers women opportunities to exit prostitution should not be sending them the message that prostitution is an acceptable solution when they need money, are destitute and don't have an education. It would be more appropriate to let them know the solutions that are available to them.