Assessing the Factors Associated With Sexual Harassment Among Young Female Migrant Workers in Nepal

Puri, Mahesh; Cleland, John G.F.

doi:10.1177/0886260507305524

Cited by 26 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Alternatively, some women try to develop a greater intimacy with their husbands, communicate sexual desire, and participate more equally in sex-related decision making to avoid unwanted sexual experiences [17-19]. Though a few small-scale studies in Nepal have documented the extent and causes of sexual violence against women within marriage (SVWM), no previous study is known to have focussed on the consequences and coping strategies used by women to avoid SVWM and document the care and support seeking behaviours employed by these women in Nepal [14-16]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These studies found that the prevalence of SVWM ranged from 12% to 50% in Nepal. They also identified various factors, such as women's lack of autonomy, high economic dependency of women on their husbands, men's perceived entitlement to force sex, lack of education and knowledge of sexuality, marriage practices, lack of family and legal support to women, and husband's use of alcohol, that contributed to sexual violence [14-16]. However, very little is known about how women define sexual violence, its negative consequences, and coping mechanisms used to avoid such situations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Suffering in silence: consequences of sexual violence within marriage among young women in Nepal

Tamang²,

2011

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BackgroundDespite the grave consequences of sexual violence, and it's persistence both within and outside marriages, this subject has received relatively little attention from researchers, policy makers, and programme managers in Nepal. This paper explores the definition of sexual violence and its various forms and consequences as reported by young married women in Nepal. In addition, it describes the coping mechanisms used by young married women to avoid sexual violence perpetrated against them by their husbands.MethodsThis paper analyzes data collected during the qualitative study on "Sexual violence among young couples in Nepal", conducted amongst two major ethnic groups - Brahmin/Chhetri and Tharu - between 2006 and 2007. The data is comprised of 39 free-lists and 15 in-depth case histories with married women aged 15-24 years. The average rank and Smith's Salience were calculated from the free-listing data. The thematic analysis approach was used for the analysis of information from the case histories.ResultsApproximately three-quarters (74%) of the young women mentioned 'sex against one's wishes' as sexual violence within marriage (SVWM). Sixty-two percent of respondents described 'forced sex during illness' and 'forced sex after consumption of alcohol' as SVWM. About half of young women (48.7%) who participated in the free-listing exercise reported having experienced SVWM. The types of SVWM ranged from unwanted sexual touch to forced sex. Backache, headache, lower abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding and thoughts of suicide were the most commonly reported negative physical and psychological health consequences of SVWM. Women reported various coping strategies including 'trying to convince husbands', 'sleeping in a separate room', 'visiting maternal home', 'waking up the children', and 'using pretexts such as being ill or menstruating', to avoid SVWM. However, in most cases, women reported that these coping strategies were unsuccessful. Almost all women experiencing SVWM were socially isolated and did not turn to institutions, relatives or friends for advice and support.ConclusionsSexual violence within marriage is common in Nepal. Findings provide circumstantial evidence of links between sexual violence and negative general and reproductive health outcomes for women. Various actions are required to prevent SVWM and provide immediate support to the victims.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Suffering in silence: consequences of sexual violence within marriage among young women in Nepal

Tamang²,

2011

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“…Representative studies conducted in the US and Australia revealed that around 20% of women have been sexually coerced [8-10]. Further research conducted among female factory workers in Nepal showed that 1 in 10 had been sexually coerced [11]. Similarly, a non-representative small scale study in Nepal [12,13] found that about half the husbands had forced their wives to have sex.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual coercion of married women in Nepal

Adhikari

Tamang

2010

BMC Women's Health

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BackgroundSexual coercion is an important public health issue due to its negative association with social and health outcomes. The paper aims to examine the prevalence of sexual coercion perpetrated by husbands on their wives in Nepal and to identify the characteristics associated with this phenomenon.MethodsThe data used in this paper comes from a cross-sectional survey on "Domestic Violence in Nepal" carried out in 2009. A total of 1,536 married women were interviewed and associations between sexual coercion and the explanatory variables were assessed via bivariate analysis using Chi-square tests. Logistic regression was then applied to assess the net effect of several independent variables on sexual coercion.ResultsOverall, about three in five women (58%) had experienced some form of sexual coercion by their husbands. Logistic regression analysis found that the literacy status of women, decision-making power regarding their own health care, husband-wife age differences, alcohol consumption by the husband, and male patriarchal control all had significant associations with women's experience of sexual coercion. Literate women had 28% less chance (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.72) of experiencing sexual coercion by their husbands than did illiterate women. Women who made decisions jointly with their husbands with regard to their own health care were 36% less likely (aOR = 0.64) to experience sexual coercion than those whose health care was decided upon by their mothers/fathers-in-law. On the other hand, women whose husbands were 5 or more years older than they were more likely to report sexual coercion (aOR = 1.33) than were their counterparts, as were women whose husbands consumed alcohol (aOR = 1.27). Furthermore, women who experienced higher levels of patriarchal control from their husbands were also more likely to experience sexual coercion by their husbands (aOR = 7.2) compared to those who did not face such control.ConclusionThe study indicates that sexual coercion among married women is widespread in Nepal. Programs should focus on education and women's empowerment to reduce sexual coercion and protect women's health and rights. Furthermore, campaigns against alcohol abuse and awareness programs targeting husbands should also focus attention on the issue of sexual coercion.

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“…Health and social issues of internal migrant workers have been highlighted from different parts of the world including China, Bangladesh, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, and Mexico (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21). High prevalence of nutritional deficiencies such as anaemia, and Vitamin A and D deficiencies were found among female garment factory workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh (14,15).…”

Section: Sri Lanka's First Epz Was Established In 1978 Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…High prevalence of nutritional deficiencies such as anaemia, and Vitamin A and D deficiencies were found among female garment factory workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh (14,15). Risky sexual behavior, sexual harassment and violence against women were reported in Nepal and Thailand (17,18,21). Sri Lankan literature indicated that factory workers in EPZ had experienced greater health risks and many adverse health outcomes (22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27).…”

Section: Sri Lanka's First Epz Was Established In 1978 Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health issues affecting female internal migrant workers: A systematic review

Senarath

Wickramage

Peiris

2016

J Coll Community Phys Sri Lanka

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BackgroundEconomic contribution by internal migrant workers, in particular the workers in Export Processing Zones (EPZ) in Sri Lanka, is well recognized, yet the social and health consequences are unknown. ObjectiveTo systematically review the health issues affecting female internal migrant workers in EPZ in Sri Lanka MethodsA literature review was conducted through electronic databases and hand searches of grey literature. Studies eligible for inclusion were those reported health or social issues among females employed in an industry within EPZ from 1978 to 2012. Studies were selected using a defined checklist for their methodological quality and in relation to measurement of health status. ResultsOf the 550 studies identified, eight publications were included for the review. The respondents were relatively young and educated females, and the large majority have migrated predominantly from rural areas to work in garment factories located in urban centers. These studies described health issues related to nutrition, reproductive health, mental health, musculo-skeletal disorders and gender issues. The review identified high prevalence of nutritional deficiencies such as underweight and anaemia; risky sexual behavior; and psychological disorders among female factory workers. Migrant workers had higher prevalence of anaemia and psychological depression than their nonmigrant counterparts. As a positive effect, women experienced empowerment through gaining income and new knowledge. ConclusionsFemale migrant workers generally tend to exhibit some disadvantage due to health risks, and are more likely to be subject to ill-health than non-migrants. More rigorous research is needed to determine true health impacts within this population.

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Assessing the Factors Associated With Sexual Harassment Among Young Female Migrant Workers in Nepal

Cited by 26 publications

References 7 publications

Suffering in silence: consequences of sexual violence within marriage among young women in Nepal

Suffering in silence: consequences of sexual violence within marriage among young women in Nepal

Sexual coercion of married women in Nepal

Health issues affecting female internal migrant workers: A systematic review

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