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 26 September 2013

Wednesday- movement on the station

Today, 7 brave souls left for Surkhet on the bus for a 16 hour trip.  The rest of the " softies" leave at 6:15a.m. tomorrow to fly to Nepalgunj on the Indian border, and then a two and half hour trip on a bumpy road to join the others.  On Friday, we have the. "official" opening of the second school out there with all the "polies" and officials.  Then a big concert, including Josh and Aaron, and Raju will be speaking afterwards..  We are expecting about 1,000 people.  We had a lovely time with the girls and their hospitality training, with another two tradies joining us for afternoon tea at our little cafe, as the girls practiced their new found skills.  Cupcakes and Mars bar slice were on the menu, that the girls had made earlier in the afternoon.  They also had another health training class in the morning.  Josh downloaded a 14 minute animated video of conception to birth.  It was wonderful and the  girls were very taken with it.  The young couple who caretaker here joined them, and as she is expecting in a couple of months, they were also enthralled.  I have some photos on my I Pad but am having difficulty getting them on the blog.  Will put them on when someone from the younger generation can assist.

Robyn 
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