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 21 September 2013

Friday, 20th, Day off today.

Friday's are our day off to take team members  to see a few things in Kathmandu, do a little shopping and check out  the tourist area.  Some of the ladies went to the material shop to buy beautiful fabrics to have made up in the traditional dress.  The cost of making up a long top and the baggy pants is only about  less than $5.00  We were hoping they would be ready for the official opening of the new school out in Surkhet, but no luck.  We now only have 3 more team members to arrive on Sunday.  Grahame and Helen are off to Surkhet tomorrow most of the rest of us fly up there on Thursday for the opening and the big concert.  The first timers are very excited about their new experiences.  Every moment is new and interesting.  Sometimes, upsetting and sad seeing the poverty and hopelessness.  We have had the opportunity to invite  a Hindu family to the big Christian concert in Kathmandu.  Tomorrow is church and then we will be taking out our sponsored children for a special lunch.

Robyn
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