However, Varia said the latest incident was not a surprise, given Saudi Arabia's treatment of its foreign workers.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

But the moratorium will not stop Indonesians from illegally entering these countries and might expose them to more risks, Varia said.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

"Instead of a blanket ban on its own women that denies them important employment opportunities, Nepal's government should work with other labor-sending governments to demand stronger protections for migrant workers in the Gulf, " Varia said.

CNN: Nepal bans women under 30 from working in Gulf states

Varia said she once visited a hospital in Kuwait that had an entire ward devoted to domestic workers who had spinal cord and back injuries from botched escape attempts or attempted suicide from high-rise residential buildings.

CNN: Nepal bans women under 30 from working in Gulf states

"The government is right to be concerned about abuse against migrant women, but the correct response is not to stop them from going, but to ensure they can migrate with guarantees for their safety, " Varia said.

CNN: Nepal bans women under 30 from working in Gulf states