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.

Thursday 3 January 2013

Wednesday

Back on line.  Internet troubles again.  Sewing classes are going very well  except  only 2 machines out of 5 are working properly, one has a hissy fit from time to time and two others are not working at all,  But I  am having a wonderful time with the girls.  Raju wants me to do another training with the carer's of the little babies.  Apparently the babies were having an oil massage in front of the fires  today and they were all very dreamy and enjoying it.  Tomorrow, 2 new team members arrive at lunch time..    Our trainers are very pleased with their classes at the Conference.  I am taking out to lunch my little sponsored girl, Bimala, and also Juna, Kalpana and Binu, who are sponsored by family and friends.  We will go out to the Bakery Cafe, where all the staff are mute, except for the little manager who is a dwarf.  We always like being there, and have a lot of fun playing charades.  Will write soon.

Robyn
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