Kathmandu, July 30 -- Two years ago, when her husband landed in Qatar for a job, she thought that they were in for better days. But misfortune struck quickly. Within three months of reaching the Gulf state, her husband was suddenly jobless. The company he was contracted to work for shut down. He had no option than to return. The couple with two kids was buried under a loan of Rs 200,000.

She then decided to take matters into her own hands. She told her husband that instead of him, she would go on foreign employment.

"I knew a woman earning enough in the United Arab Emirates to support her family," said M., who asked to be identified with her initials only. "My plan was to work for two years or so and then return home. I just wanted to d...