Financial Inclusion of Female Sex Workers in Odisha: What Does the Field Evidence Say?

Earlier research in gender studies has confirmed that there are still significant discrepancies in women’s access to bank accounts, account usage, access to savings, and credit. However, in the case of female sex workers (FSWs), they face the problem of double exclusion from the formal financial system. Because of their gender identity and furtive nature of work, they are often denied basic financial services. Using field survey data (N = 56), this study endeavours to explore the financial inclusion status of FSWs in Bhubaneswar (Odisha). The findings of this study depict that the FSWs in Bhubaneswar manage to earn a substantial amount of money for their livelihood, but they fail to access many basic financial products and services (such as saving, credit, mobile/internet banking, insurance, etc.), which further deprives them from availing other economic entitlements. The reason for their financial deprivation varies based on several social, political and institutional aspects, coupled with the nature of their occupation.