Extent of sexual coercion among young female migrant carpet and garment factory workers in Nepal

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Description/Abstract

This paper explores sexual coercion of young female migrant workers in the carpet and garment factories in the Kathmandu Valley. Information is drawn from 12 in-depth case histories and a sample survey of 550 respondents aged 14-19 years. The survey found that one in ten young women had ever experienced sexual harassment or coercion in their lifetime. Perpetrators included co-workers, boyfriends, employers and relatives. In-depth interviews revealed that the inability of young working women to communicate effectively with their peers and sex partners, lack of self esteem, job insecurity and other socio-economic problems made them vulnerable to these abuses. The results suggest the need for a range of factory-based interventions.