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.

Saturday 5 January 2013

Saturday5th

What a big day.  We left this morning at 8 a.m.  with 5 team members to a village church about 2 hours drive from here.  David Coates was preaching.  It is a magnificent drive through the mountains.  All the terraced hillsides, and snow capped mountains.  The Church is in a loft in a tumble down little building.   They are simple country folk but they always appreciate visitors.  We also walked over the land where we plan to have a new church, community centre, campsite etc.,  It is on a slope leading down to a beautiful river surrounded by mountains.  We  have put down a deposit and are trusting the Lord for the balance.  We have seen so many wonderful things happen here since we first came, so we look forward to seeing what will happen.  Two team members went to  other churches to preach.  Each of the new team members are enjoying their time here and are blown away by the beautiful people here.  We are on the go all the time and we all fall into bed worn out each  day.  But it is a nice feeling after a full day.  Yesterday, I was at the Miriam Centre and saw the little babies having a massage with mustard oil.  It seems they do this instead of bathing.  They are as brown as berries, and  putting on weight.  We went to all of the hostels and also the half-way house also.  The women at the half-way house look so wonderful.  They are so changed, much softer looking, and so happy to see us.  Out comes the lovely ginger and pepper tea for all.  They also have a little puppy to look after and it is being loved to death  We have another team member arriving tomorrow, and another one the next day.  And three  more in a few days.  Will write again tomorrow

Robyn

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