Escaping poverty at home, Nepali women fall into the Gulf trap

Sabina Gurung, 32, travelled to Kuwait in 2021 to work as a domestic help. By 2024, after around three years on the job, she began asking her employer for permission to return to Nepal. Each time, the response was the same: “Not until we find someone to replace you.” Soon after, her employer’s responses turned into threats and violence. When she ran out of options one evening, she called the Nepali embassy in Kuwait for help. She was doing her duties as per the contract, but her employer held her passport to make sure she couldn't leave. This is a...