INDIVIDUAL EMPOWERMENT EXPERIENCES OF TRAFFICKED RETURNEES : Post Integration Lives of Sex Trafficked Returnees in Mid-Western Nepal
Limbu, Lekh Nath; Shahi, Hari Jung (2014)
Limbu, Lekh Nath
Shahi, Hari Jung
Diakonia-ammattikorkeakoulu
2014
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2014092814269
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2014092814269
Tiivistelmä
Lekh Nath Limbu and Hari Jung Shahi. Individual Empowerment Experiences of Trafficked Returnees: Post Integration Lives of Sex Trafficked Returnees in Mid-Western Nepal. Diak South, Helsinki, Finland. Autumn 2014. 71 Pages. 1 Appendix. Language: English.
Diaconia University of Applied Sciences. Degree programme in Social Services and Community Development. Degree: Bachelor of Social Services.
This study discusses the empowerment experiences of sex trafficked returnees. By doing so, this research provides an understanding about the post integration life situation of the returnees. ‘Participation and Involvement’, ‘Self-determination, Freedom of Choice and Decision Making’ and ‘Social Stigma’ were taken as main components of empowerment.
Qualitative research methodology was applied to conduct this research. The data was collected using semi-structured method. This interview method was chosen because it allows the researcher to have more latitude to probe beyond the answers. Three sex trafficked returnees and one key informant were interviewed individually.
Thematic content analysis was used for interpreting the data, because it suits questions related to people’s experiences and focuses on identifying patterned meaning across the dataset.
The findings of this research indicate that trafficked returnees’ current empowerment situation is relatively poor. Apparently, they are seen as accepted and reintegrated in the family and the community but they have encountered several challenges, such as: verbal abuses, inadequate sustainable income, negative stereotype, and disgrace. The study further evidently shows that returnees have not been able to perceive themselves equal as compared to other women in the community; there is envisaged disempowerment and social discrimination in all spheres of their lives including access to resources, education and work.
In conclusion, lack of self-determination, limited freedom of choice and decision making, male domination and enduring stigma among the sex trafficked returnees have not only disempowered them but also narrowed their hope of being empowered.
Diaconia University of Applied Sciences. Degree programme in Social Services and Community Development. Degree: Bachelor of Social Services.
This study discusses the empowerment experiences of sex trafficked returnees. By doing so, this research provides an understanding about the post integration life situation of the returnees. ‘Participation and Involvement’, ‘Self-determination, Freedom of Choice and Decision Making’ and ‘Social Stigma’ were taken as main components of empowerment.
Qualitative research methodology was applied to conduct this research. The data was collected using semi-structured method. This interview method was chosen because it allows the researcher to have more latitude to probe beyond the answers. Three sex trafficked returnees and one key informant were interviewed individually.
Thematic content analysis was used for interpreting the data, because it suits questions related to people’s experiences and focuses on identifying patterned meaning across the dataset.
The findings of this research indicate that trafficked returnees’ current empowerment situation is relatively poor. Apparently, they are seen as accepted and reintegrated in the family and the community but they have encountered several challenges, such as: verbal abuses, inadequate sustainable income, negative stereotype, and disgrace. The study further evidently shows that returnees have not been able to perceive themselves equal as compared to other women in the community; there is envisaged disempowerment and social discrimination in all spheres of their lives including access to resources, education and work.
In conclusion, lack of self-determination, limited freedom of choice and decision making, male domination and enduring stigma among the sex trafficked returnees have not only disempowered them but also narrowed their hope of being empowered.