ABSTRACT
In this chapter, positive deviance (PD) theory is applied to examine the life situations of four women activists, who have gained prominence at the national level in Nepal for championing the voice of women and girls working in the sex and informal entertainment sector. PD is a method of social inquiry grounded on the premise that in every community there are certain individuals or groups whose uncommon behaviours and strategies enable them to find better solutions to the same problems faced by their peers. These individuals then lead by example and act as a “champion” for change. Each of the participants discussed in this chapter has previously been a part of the sex and informal entertainment industry; they have used their enterprising skills and leadership abilities not just to exit the profession but also to set up organisations that work to alleviate the suffering of women working in this sector. Based on the analysis of the life trajectories of these four women, key attributes and skills are identified that have enabled them to act differently. The chapter proposes a framework that demonstrates how PD qualities are enacted and applied in the context of women in the sex and informal entertainment industry in Nepal.
