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.

Sunday 13 October 2013

Oct., 12th, Home again.


It is Sunday morning, and all the groups have arrived safely in Oz. weary, but feeling much was accomplished.  It was nice to wake up to serenity, with only the birds in the trees out the back of our house.  When  we walk in the door, we are again confronted with how well off we are, after being in Nepal where people live in such need. I don't miss the 5 a.m. hacking and spitting, the roosters, and the beeping vehicles, tooting as they approach each turn in our narrow lane to warn any oncoming cars or bikes.  It is also nice to come to back clean streets, law and order on the roads, and an organised society.  But chaos, colour, unpredictability, warm smiles, restored  lives, and joy are all part of the appeal.  I shed some tears saying goodbye to those we love, those courageous women and girls whom are getting on with life, after all they have been through.  They are my heroes.  Grahame  is going back on 5th of November, firstly to China, to address a conference of Christian Education, and then on to Nepal for another 3weeks, as we have 3school teams coming consecutively.  We then return on 27th December for 4weeks, and then again March/April next year.  I hope the blog has enabled you to walk the journey with us a little bit.

Robyn

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