The devastating Nepal earthquake of 2015 and later the Covid-19 pandemic had something in common: both likely saw an increase in the migration of Nepalese sex workers.
Some did so as a result of trafficking or forced migration, others chose sex work or the entertainment industry on a voluntary basis - there’s no data to tell us the extent of this migration.
That policymakers don’t know the difference means both groups will continue to face harassment, torture, exploitation and discrimination. Without accurate data, the government is unable to protect them.
