Anuradha Koirala was crowned this year's CNN Hero. Her decades-long campaign against human trafficking and sex slavery has saved thousands of innocent young women and girls across Nepal. Now that her work has earned her and her organization (Maiti Nepal) international attention and praise, hopefully the world will look into human trafficking and sex slavery as a more urgent matter.
A fearless fighter
Human trafficking and trafficking of young women and girls is a major human rights violation, which occurs with disturbing regularity in Nepal. The problem first came to larger public's attention in early 1990s. Nepali women and girls were being tricked into brothels in neighboring India by unscrupulous middle men and sometimes by their own family members for some quick cash.
Anuradha Koirala, an English teacher,disturbed by the growing trend of daughters, wives and sisters being sold for money, started a non government organization to end this shameful practice. Maiti Nepal was launched in 1993 and since then it has saved and rehabilitated more than 12,000 young women and girls. The organization has offices in 29 districts across Nepal and gets generous help from global network of supporters.
Koirala invested her own meager savings to start Maiti Nepal and during the initial years faced much hardships securing donations and support for her work as the society viewed her work with suspicion. She was rescuing women who had been sold to brothels and forced into prostitution, these women were ostracized by the community and viewed as bad influence. Koirala faced numerous threats and negative comments on a daily basis but continued her work.
A new wave
As the new millennium arrived, trafficking of women and girls from Nepal continued unabated, despite efforts from the private and public sector. Maiti Nepal was at the forefront of the efforts, by now a respectable name in the country as the people had begun to realize the scope and depth of trafficking problem.
In the 1990s, women and girls were mostly trafficked into India. It changed in the new millennium. As Nepali women were venturing overseas for employment, the middle men found new area for trafficking-Middle East and South East Asia.
According to Maiti Nepal's website, they recently rescued 12 women who had been working as house maids in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
"These girls/women had been employed as domestic helper but they were denied salary and proper work. On the contrary, they faced various physical tortures and mental trauma. These girls/ women were handed over to Maiti Nepal on October 13 by Rescue Foundation, a partner organization of Maiti Nepal based in India. "
Every year hundreds of women seek employment in the Middle East. Some are severely exploited and abused and even forced into prostitution. After years of rescuing women from Indian brothels, Maiti Nepal is now working to save exploited Nepali women in the Middle East; and it is not an easy job because of the diplomatic and logistical challenges.
Nepal's pride
Anuradha Koirala's contribution to Nepal and to the entire humanity is immense. Human trafficking and sex slavery is without a doubt a smear on our civilization. She has also made her country proud. There are some who are criticizing her for bringing Nepal's dirty laundry out in public, but the detractors be shamed! Anuradha Koirala's work is honoring Nepal and she should be lauded and supported.
Bhumika Ghimire - Bhumika Ghimire is a freelance writer and reporter. She is a content producer for Associated Content and writes for OhMyNews.com and News ...
