Interplaying factors to sex work among female sex worker in Pokhara

Abstract

The study entitled “Inter playing factors in the entry to sexual work and its impact: A Stud yin Pokhara” conducted among 250 female sex worker by applying cross sectional descriptive research design, non-probability purposive sampling technique and technique of interview were used to collect data. This study explores the multifaceted dimensions of socioeconomic characteristics of the Sex work, as majority of the Sex workers in Pokhara are adolescents and dwell from the rural areas of Kaski and surrounding districts. The researcher experiences ease in data collection due to good cooperation of the respondents, the members of Child and Women Empowerment Society and Naulo Ghumti Nepal. Sufficient literature has been collected from various books, journals, research reports, internet and websites from which the researcher has gained a lot of information on this topic. The findings of the study revealed that majority of the respondents 52.4 percent were in age group of 15-19 years which is adolescent and 20- 24 years are in second position this is the an economically active age group. 34.8 percent of the respondents were from Kaski district, majority of them from Dalit Community is found 36.4 percent and 36 percent are Gurung, 65 percent were received secondary level education and 67 percent are unmarried. 71.2 percent of first sexual contact took place with clients, regarding the nature of first sex, 94 percent reported of being mutually agreed. 77 percent of Respondent choosing sex works due to the poverty, 14 percent were lack of other skills, 6 percent due to peer's pressure or influence and 3 percentdue to coercion or pressure, 46 percent involved 2-4 years ago. 42.8 percent percent solicited from Restaurant and 36.4 percent from Hotel, 78 percent of the respondents willing to leave their profession. 20.4 percent earn below Rs 4000, 22 percent earns Rs 25000-29000, 19.2 percent were earn more than Rs.300000 per month, out of 250 respondents only 91of respondent have another source of income rather than sex work. 73.57 percent responded satisfied with this job were means of earning to fulfilling their needs. 66.8 percent having safe sex practices, Majority of female sex worker (72.8%) using drug, 33.52 percent of FSWs used (N=182) alcohol, 78percent of the respondents wanted to leave their profession. 66.8 percent having safe sex practices, 73.2 percent of Female Sex worker were fully aware about HIV/AIDs, 47.55 percent get knowledge about HIV and AIDS from NGO worker or NGO visit by office. 52.4 percent of the female sex workers were facing violence, 36 percent of FSWs feel the violence from their clients, 47.33 percent of responded being Physical assaulted such as beating and touch all part of body. Majority of the female sex workers 74 percent were not attempting against the violence and 26 percent FSW attempt against Violence. 46.4 percent sex workers reasons for not attempting against the violence were fear of social stigma (N=97). 70 percent of the sex workers had future plan, Among them (N=176), 49.2 percent would like to get married with reach person,21.6 percent educate their children 19.2 percent open their own restaurant and 10 percent of Female Sex worker purchase land. 74 percent responded that they have received any services from NGOs, 72.43 percent were received free Blood Testing service, 75 percent of respondent expect to easy access on HIV testing. The findings of the study suggest that the study opens frontiers to study the human rights related issues of female sex workers. The broader implications of this result can be attention of policy makers towards decriminalization of sex work, as in an impoverished country like Nepal, female will continue to enter into sexual work to eke out their living. The effort should be directed towards eliminating the root cause of sexual work which is poverty and providing alternative premises to those who wish to leave sex work and providing safe ground to those who wish to continue.