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.

Wednesday 12 September 2012

Wild West – Continued



Monday afternoon.  Binod wanted us to see another village he called the brothel village   Once again, little mud buildings and thatched roofs.  The women’s dress was quite different.  almost Egyptian style.  They are absolutely stunningly beautiful.  The men were surly and stood back but the women were smiling and crowding around.  They presented us with lays made of hibiscus flowers then they began dancing so beautifully, from the young to a very old wrinkled lady.  Then they insisted that we try.  So Raju and Binod danced (they were very good) and also the other lady Rama, who travelled with us.  Then we Aussies also had to have a go.  They really enjoyed seeing us make a fool of our selves.  It was such a happy scene out under the spreading trees, yet underneath the terrible slavery those beautiful women endure.  Even as we were there, we knew what was going on in those little huts.  We were told these precious ones are sold for a mere 20c. A time.  Men take their wives and make them dance while they play in front of houses.  Then the men in the houses come out, and if they like the woman, the husband stays outside while his wife is being raped inside.   As we left and watched those smiling women waving goodbye, our hearts were breaking.



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