Kathmandu: A recent study has revealed that nearly half of women working in Nepal’s entertainment industry have experienced some form of workplace harassment. The study, conducted by the Shakti Group in the cities of Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Itahari, found that 46% of female workers reported facing harassment at their workplaces. Among them, 30% reported experiencing sexual violence.

The study, which involved 507 participants from these three cities, found that Pokhara had the highest percentage of workers reporting harassment, with 69% of respondents in the city claiming they had faced abuse. In Kathmandu, 45% of workers reported similar issues, while 23% of workers in Itahari said they had been subjected to workplace harassment.

The report also highlighted that workers in specific sectors of the entertainment industry were more likely to face harassment. Among respondents, 73% of dancers, 51% of dohori (traditional Nepali music) singers, 34% of massage parlour workers, 30% of cabin workers, and 30% of snack shop workers reported experiencing harassment.

The study indicated that harassment in the entertainment sector comes from various sources, including customers, employers, colleagues, police officers, community members, and even intimate partners such as husbands, boyfriends, and friends. Additionally, the report revealed that only 6% of workers in the sector had a written contract for their employment.

The findings suggest that the entertainment industry in Nepal does not meet the international labor standards set by the International Labour Organization (ILO), particularly in terms of fair and safe working conditions. The report points out that the lack of enforcement of labor laws has left many workers vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.

Overall, the study underscores the pressing need for improved labor protections and enforcement of laws to safeguard workers in Nepal’s entertainment sector.

Source: Rashtriya Samachar Samiti