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.

Wednesday 14 January 2015

Wednesday, 14th January

Today was spent organising the couple from Nepal to set up a flat, and buy them the things to get settled in.  We went to the metro station by tuk tuk, and then onto the train.  Seething hoarders of people everywhere.  On the train, pushing off the train, down the streets. Clashes of the old and new cultures.  India is really moving forward in many ways.  So much building going on.  When getting onto the train, we had put our bags through the scanner, and have a pat down.  Even in the stores, scanner as we stepped through the door, and then another bag check and body scanner.  The travel notice from the Aussie Gov. says not to travel unless necessary, especially in certain parts.  But we feel the door has opened up to us in this venture, so we trust The Lord is this matter.  We didn't accomplish all we had hoped today, but we have gotten used to that in Nepal.  Tomorrow is another day.

Robyn
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