Tales of suffering and strength: women's experiences of working in Nepal's informal entertainment industry

Abstract

This article gives a deep insight into the experiences of women working in Nepal's growing informal entertainment industry. It documents past experiences of extreme violence as a result of the Maoist insurgency and at home in the form of child abuse, IPV and other forms of domestic violence. It records how these past traumas drove the women to seek new violent-free lives in Kathmandu where the informal entertainment industry offered the best source of income. Despite horrific tales of ongoing harassment from clients, the women talk of the relief they feel at being able to earn an income that can support their children. They talk about increased self-confidence that they link to their ability to earn a good income. The women also shared their coping strategies, the support they gained through peer networks and through a vital local organisation clearly represents critical dimensions in strengthening their resilience to violence.