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 11 January 2013

Thursday

Today, my doll making class finished and then we had a party.    They were all giggly and excited.  I bought a cake and lollies and we had and great time, then we all danced together.  They are so great.  The conference also finished today, and the graduation ceremony was after lunch.  It is difficult to describe the atmosphere, but there were about 115 delegates and they are all so appreciative of what they have been taught and they just soak up everything.  At the beginning they played Nepalese music and some of the lovely girls came out the front and danced in their graceful style.  They are so honouring of all the trainers.  It is so refreshing how the show such respect.

The trainers say they have been so blessed and feel they have learned so much from these lovely people here.  Once people have been here, they always want to come back.

Robyn

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