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.

Tuesday 18 September 2012

Another day in Nepal

We have had and are having lots of trouble getting the internet so lots has happened . I did a long email on saturday and unfortunately it has still not gone.
I am teaching in the school now and it is so rewarding. The students are excited to have me there and I am working with Barry.We are doing our best but we are far from teachers. The kids love us anyway and we are having lots of fun. They are so well mannered and listen so intently to everything we say. We are also having afternoon sessions with the teachers. That I am finding more challenging as they expect to learn so much from us.

Today we went to the hostels and the children are amazing. We sang and played games with them while Katie took photos. It is Women's Day today, a holiday and the women are wearing red, beautiful, the material in the clothes are stunning. Time is going so fast.
We have now seen the girls in their villages, in the most terrible situations. We have been to the brothels and taken the them and the village girls with us to Kathmandu.  Then been to the concert at the  school and seen the end result. Girls well fed, being educated, cared for, having fun, singing and dancing.
Then to the hostels and the lovely clean rooms with sheets and a bed each. Good food and love from the house parents.
Lots of love to you all
Trish
   

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