Prevention of Human Trafficking in Nepal

In this quarter, we conducted sessions on human rights, human trafficking, and gender-based violence organized by Gadhi Rural Municipality in Shree Saraswoti Adharbhut Vidhyalaya (school) on June 26, Collaborating with local government to educate on Human Trafficking.

In this quarter, we conducted sessions on human rights, human trafficking, and gender-based violence organized by Gadhi Rural Municipality in Shree Saraswoti Adharbhut Vidhyalaya (school) on June 26, 2023. Forty participants consisting of students, teachers, women representatives of cooperatives, ward chairs, and youth attended the sessions. The ward chairs expressed their happiness as it was the first time the Municipality initiated such programs on these issues. (HIMRIGHTS conducted many programs in the past in all the village councils since 2000. However, new people require more training and orientation. This time, the Municipality's initiative highlights the importance and prevalence of the issue.)

The sessions were conducted by Ms. Kumari Waiba, HIMRIGHTS District Coordinator, and Maya Lama, Maiti Nepal – District Program Coordinator, focusing on various aspects:

1. Human Trafficking: The discussion covered what human trafficking is and its expanded definition after Nepal ratified the Parlemo Protocol. While previously it was mainly associated with sexual exploitation, the Protocol broadened its scope. The sessions also addressed potential locations where human trafficking could occur and how people can be exploited. Precautions to prevent human trafficking and the current legal provisions for human trafficking, gender-based violence (GBV), and child marriage were also discussed.

2. Thin Line Between Trafficking and Labor Migration: Participants were educated about how people can be tricked into labor migration and end up in slave-like situations. Many individuals lack an understanding of the implications of foreign labor migration, particularly if they have never left their villages and have not been exposed to modern society, way of life, and values. Agents often present them with enticing economic opportunities, making them vulnerable to exploitation. GBV victims, especially those with children to care for, are at higher risk of falling prey to trafficking.

During the event, we distributed leaflets produced by the Alliance Against Trafficking of Women and Children in Nepal (AATWIN) about the Parlemo Protocol and Human Trafficking. HIMRIGHTS is one of the core founders of this network.

The sessions sparked vibrant discussions among the participants, who expressed the need for more frequent programs on such burning issues in various areas. A similar collaboration took place in six wards of Rakshirang Municipality in March 2023, involving Raksirang Rural Municipality and a few other community-based organizations, with 20-30 participants in each event.