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Economically, Udaipur's transformation plays a key role. Once primarily agrarian, the city has evolved into a hub for tourism, education, and small industries. This shift attracts migrants from rural Rajasthan, neighboring states like Madhya Pradesh, and even Nepal. Many women enter the sex work industry due to limited opportunities. A 2022 study by the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) highlighted that in Rajasthan, sex workers often come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, facing barriers like lack of education or family support. In Udaipur, some call girls are college students supplementing income, while others are housewives navigating financial strains. The gig economy aspect—flexible hours via phone bookings—appeals in a city where formal jobs for women remain scarce. However, this comes at a cost: exploitation by middlemen who take hefty cuts, leaving workers vulnerable.

From a cultural standpoint, Udaipur's conservative ethos clashes with this underground economy. Rajasthan's society is steeped in traditions of honor, family, and patriarchy. Sex work is stigmatized, often viewed through moral lenses rather than as a survival strategy. Yet, hypocrisy exists; affluent locals and tourists fuel the demand while publicly condemning it. Bollywood films and web series romanticize or demonize such figures, but real-life stories are nuanced. Interviews from NGOs like Pratham or local women's rights groups reveal tales of empowerment mixed with coercion. Some women report agency in choosing clients and setting boundaries, using earnings for education or family support. Others face trafficking, as per reports from the Rajasthan State Commission for Women, which noted cases of girls lured from villages with job promises.

Legally, the landscape is murky. India's Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITPA), doesn't criminalize sex work per se but targets brothels, pimping, and public solicitation. The Supreme Court's 2022 directives affirmed sex workers' rights to dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution, prohibiting police harassment in consensual adult cases. However, in practice, Udaipur's law enforcement often raids under anti-trafficking pretexts, leading to arrests. Online platforms—where many call girls advertise via coded language on sites like Locanto or social media—fall under the Information Technology Act's Sections 67 and 67A, which penalize obscene content. Cyber cells in Rajasthan have cracked down, blocking hundreds of escort-related websites in recent years. This creates a cat-and-mouse game: services go underground, using WhatsApp or Telegram for bookings, increasing risks like blackmail or violence.

Health and safety are critical concerns. STDs and HIV remain threats, though organizations like the Rajasthan State AIDS Control Society offer free testing and condoms. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated vulnerabilities, with lockdowns halting tourism and forcing many into debt. Post-pandemic, there's a reported uptick in services catering to "high-profile" clients—businessmen from Mumbai or Delhi attending conferences at venues like Taj Lake Palace. Yet, without regulation, workers lack protections like health insurance or legal recourse against abusive clients.

On a positive note, activism is rising. Groups like the All India Network of Sex Workers (AINSW) advocate for decriminalization, arguing it would reduce stigma and improve safety. In Udaipur, community programs focus on skill training, helping women transition to alternative livelihoods like handicraft sales or tourism guiding. Stories of resilience abound: one anonymous account shared in a 2025 Vice India article described a former call girl who used her savings to start a boutique, empowering others along the way.