Summary

Background:\ Sex work in Nepal is highly stigmatized and tends to be far more covert than other South Asian countries. For many Nepali women, though, sex work represents a path to economic security and independence.\ The purpose of of this research study explored the experiences and pathways to sex work by cisgender female sex workers (FSWs) in Kathmandu, Nepal from a human rights and political economy perspective.\ Methods: This research study was conducted in partnership with a sex workers’ rights organization. Purposive, snowball sampling guided recruitment that consisted of field visits in four Kathmandu neighborhoods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 street-based and brothel-based FSWs.\ Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed.\ Immediately following the interview, each participant was reimbursed 1000.00 Nepali Rupees.\ Two experienced qualitative researchers independently analyzed the data using holistic and generative coding.\ Results: Three themes emerged, including: (1) entering sex work through employer, (2) cycling in and out of sex work to supplement other income, and (3) maintaining sex work through secrecy. Formal-sector employers were key to FSWs’ entry into sex work.\ Participants described cycling in and out of sex work as a form of pragmatic employment that they stopped and started repeatedly. Separation from family networks and use of cell phones facilitated sex work.\ Implications and Conclusions: Cycling in and out of sex work to supplement other income should be considered within the gendered economy of Nepal, namely related to labor force participation, gender segregation in the workplace and pay disparities. Social and economic policies in Nepal must address poverty alleviation, equal and equitable education, and employment options in rural and urban areas that can address critical human rights issues among vulnerable populations. It is important that social work agencies and other civil society organizations promote sex workers’ rights in Nepal.

Keywords (separate with commas)

sex work; Nepal; human rights