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 22 January 2013

Moving - continued

On Sunday night we were so exhausted, and Raju says we are going out for dinner.  It as the last thing we wanted as all we wanted to do was flop into bed.  Anyway we dragged ourselves out.  It turned out it was a church member who was just opening up a lovely new Chinese restaurant and we were invited as guests on the opening night.  The story about these people was great.  10 years ago they were washing dishes in a chinese restaurant.  Raju met them and over quite a long period, taught them about the Lord.  They came to Christ 8 years ago.  They were married and then got better jobs as cooks in the restaurant and now they are opening their own.  They are church leaders in one of Raju's satellite churches and have two little ones.  They don't open on Saturday because they honour the Lord for that day.  It would be their big trading day, but God has blessed them.  They are such a lovely couple, smile all the time with such gentle natures.  The carpet man will be here shortly, will write again soon.  Am looking forward to 24 hour electricity and some warm weather

Robyn
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