Challenges and opportunities for the reintegration of sex-trafficking survivors into Nepalese communities

Background: Although Nepal ratified the Palermo Protocol in 2020, significant challenges persist in fully meeting the protocol's standards on preventing trafficking, protecting survivors, prosecuting traffickers, and reintegrating survivors. Most importantly, given the complexity surrounding the reintegration of sex trafficking survivors, a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing successful reintegration is crucial.
Objective: This study explored the challenges and opportunities associated with reintegrating survivors of sex trafficking into Nepali communities.
Methods: This was an exploratory, descriptive qualitative study in which semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 purposively selected non-governmental organization (NGO) workers and service providers. Thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the data.
Results: Our findings revealed that existing social and contextual barriers included a lack of familial acceptance, social stigma, ineffective legal and support systems, and safety and security risks for both survivors and those providing support. Within the programs facilitating reintegration, factors such as poor service satisfaction, lack of trust, restricted living conditions in the shelters, and inadequate confidentiality practices hindered program effectiveness. Opportunities for successful reintegration included family support and acceptance, employment as social workers/activists, and well-coordinated support systems, which, however, were only accessible to a limited number of survivors.
Conclusions: This study provides insights into how social and program-specific factors, as well as existing opportunities, influence the effective reintegration of survivors. Ensuring adequate funding to scale up current reintegration programs, incorporating strategies to address community stigma, and strengthening institutional capacities could help more women achieve successful reintegration.