Desperate Girls

The Badi Girls

Between 7,000 and 12,000 young girls, aged 9-16, are trafficked each year from Nepal; mainly to India. According to Nepal Monitor/On line journal, 2007, there are more than 200,000 Nepali girls in Indian brothels.

The Dalits(untouchables) are the lowest level in Hindu society, and the Badi community, in Western Nepal, are the lowest of the low. As a displaced hungry people group the Badi community has made sexual subservience a way of life. Young girls from this group “serve” other groups. This has become a tradition and means of livelihood. Many girls, even when they are unwilling, are forced to serve as sex slaves. Family members knowingly sell their daughters to traffickers.

Though prostitution is illegal in Nepal, the industry reportedly has links with highly ranked officials and political leaders. Large groups of girls are taken across the border with many police and government officials being in collusion with traffickers and brothel owners.

Traffickers and related criminals are often protected by political parties, and if arrested, are freed using political power. As a result, there is an underlying distrust of police that has led people not to file cases against traffickers.

Domestic action involves activities of NGO’s and other volunteer groups. These groups are playing a major role to address girl-trafficking and sex slaves issues. Some NGO’s are playing a very important role to improve the situation. From creating social awareness to rescuing and rehabilitation, they are providing services (and relief) to those that need it the most – the likely victims as well as the rescued ones. The Lighthouse foundation is one of these.

*See Chandra Kala’s story on this blog site.

Friday 23 March 2012

Home away from home

It is lovely to see familiar faces again, lots of hugs and big smiles.  Weather is great, though dusty, and electricity is much better than expected.  The streets are cleaner and life here bustles on the same.  Yesterday, we three ladies bought material to make outfits in the national style and were amazed to find out that two outfits, tops and pants made by a tailor cost less than $8.00.  Unbelievable.  We made friends with a lovely couple in the material shop and we are invited to tea next Monday.  We like to cultivate these friendships and we often get an opportunity to give them bibles and talk about the Lord.  They are such sweet people.  I am going to Tusal this afternoon to see my beautiful girls.  I am very keen to see Chandra particularly, to see how she is doing.  There is another 15 year old just arrived, who has also had a terrible life.  There are 8 new girls coming next week.  We go to Chhinchiu for the last 9 days before we come home to do teacher training there.  I think there will be about 20.  One highlight we are looking forward to is a mass baptism in the river at Jhuprakola.  So many have come to the Lord.                                              


Robyn
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