Context, process and determinants of trafficking and health seeking behaviour of trafficked women and girls in Nepal : implications for social and public health policy

Simkhada, Padam Prasad (2003) Context, process and determinants of trafficking and health seeking behaviour of trafficked women and girls in Nepal : implications for social and public health policy. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

Women and girls from more than 25 ethnic groups from 37 districts were found to be trafficked in Indian brothels. The root cause of trafficking is multiple and complex. Poverty, lack of employment opportunities, gender discrimination, lack of female education, a lack of awareness among the general population, and abuse in migration were seen as important causes for trafficking in Nepal. Study also discovered that trafficking operates primarily through personal connections and social network.

This study found that awareness on sexual health issues, particularly about STIs, and HIV/AIDS was poor among the returned trafficked women and girls. The Nepali trafficked sex workers in Indian brothels are powerless to negotiate any terms of sex in order to protect themselves from HIV infection. These women and girls held a holistic view of health in which dietary balance, avoidance of ‘addictions’ (such as drinking and smoking) and emotional stability were seen as essential to well being.

The study found that there is no consistent definition of trafficking in law and policy documents in Nepal, which leads to confusion about what activities constitute trafficking. This study also revealed that many trafficking policies and programmes may inadvertently infringe on the human rights of women who wish to migrate.

Anti-trafficking strategies must shift from paternalistic approaches to more holistic and participatory empowerment approaches. An effective strategy must combine and balance punitive measures with protection of human rights, women empowerment and the removal of the root causes. Measures must be agreed and coordinated between origin, transit and receiving countries as well. Anti-trafficking interventions need to be re-focused so that they do not infringe upon the human right of women who wish to migrate but who are at risk of trafficking. Interventions should provide support systems to permit safe migration and to help women once they reach their destinations.

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