PRAYASS

Our PRAYASS (Protection from Risk and Assisting Young Girls and Women in Accessing Social Services) project is a critical initiative aimed at providing protection to young women working in Nepal’s adult entertainment sector (AES).

In recent years, the AES sector in Nepal has grown; a R4C survey in 2021 revealed that Pokhara alone has around 1200 young women directly or indirectly involved in the sector. While many people visit the venues for entertainment purposes, there is also sex trade activity that exploits vulnerable workers.

Our goal through PRAYASS - which in Nepalese, means “to try” - is to ensure an environment where young AES workers are protected, understand their rights, feel empowered to make educated choices, and live without fear of exploitation. This not only means offering support and opportunities to those involved but also changing the attitudes of government and establishment owners. This kind of change takes time, but with our approach, it’s possible.

This 3-year project started in January 2023 and is working in 9 underprivileged communities (3 communities each year) in Pokhara Metropolitan City. Across these areas, we are implementing two main strategies: the Preventive Approach and the Rehabilitative Approach.

The Preventive Approach focuses on community empowerment; providing educational support, early childhood development centers, remedial classes, and conducting career guidance sessions for young women. The project also facilitates vocational training and job placements for unemployed youth, while running awareness campaigns about the risks associated with the adult entertainment sector.

The Rehabilitative Approach rescues under-aged girls and other women who want to leave the sector. To these people we offer safety at the SHE Centre including; counselling, transitional care, supported family reintegration, soft skills development, career guidance, and vocational training.

The success of PRAYASS hinges on strong collaboration with both the government and the local community. Through advocacy and networking with relevant stakeholders, PRAYASS not only encourages the government to take greater ownership of the situation, but also pushes for policy changes that will ensure these workers are protected by law.

Through PRAYASS, Right4Children is not only trying to protect young workers but is striving to create a lasting impact—a future where AES workers are empowered, the government takes responsibility, and communities work together to ensure the safety and well-being of the most vulnerable.