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 18 January 2015

Sunday18th, January. Back in the guesthouse.

It was so good to be back "home" in Kathmandu.  Netra, our guest house manager, was awaiting us with his  big smile.  It was so nice to get into freshly washed sheets, with the smell of the washing powder, after our last four nights in Delhi.  Everywhere we went, there was security.  We have been scanned, x-rayed, frisked, searched, checked and re-checked, entering restaurants, malls,; plane terminals are unbelievable.  I guess the Aussie  Gov. warning, is warranted.  I have been shopping with Netra today, buying material for our little doll makers, for the saris for their little creations.  We have another meeting tonight connected with our new venture into India.  It is amazing the people God is networking us with, but all our plans won't happen overnight.  There are many hurdles to jump.  Electricity is very erratic.  The schedule is almost useless.  Because some guy down the street is building a house, our power goes off  regularly because even when it is on, and the builders cut power for their work, we get cut too.

Robyn
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