Ending Human Trafficking Nepal Project #52034

School for Justice- education survivors SEC Nepal

by Free a Girl

Project Report | Jun 17, 2024
Access to Justice!

By Kelly Schut | Director Free a Girl The Netherlands

This photo is created with AI to protect survivors

A significant difference!

You, we, and they. Together, we make a tremendous difference. We have taken important steps together. Now, we are ready to make the world a much better place.

In the first months of the year, students from Nepal have collectively reached hundreds of children at risk, government officials, and people in so-called 'high-risk' communities in an increasing effort to end child sexual exploitation. And they are just getting started.

Thanks to you, they will continue, and we plan to reach more than a million people with our change agents this year. In this report, we will zoom in on some of the many activities from the first three months of the year. For this, we extend our thanks, as do the students who, with your support, can make such a significant difference!

The names used in this report are pseudonyms and not the real names of the individuals involved to protect their privacy.

Education: Celebration Time!

Yes! Time to celebrate after a few nerve-wracking exam weeks! Shila, Renuka, Kamana, and Aruna have completed their final exams of their first year of Bachelor of Law. Pooja has also finished her final exams of the fourth year of Bachelor of Law. In addition all students from the School for Justice have earned their Certificates of Appreciation for their ongoing dedication to ending child sexual exploitation.

Birshana, as a representative of the students, delivered a beautiful thank-you speech to Free a Girl for the support in realizing their dream. Speaking in front of a large crowd also helped her improve her public speaking skills and overcome her fear of speaking in front of an audience. The entire ceremony was a joyful and proud moment to celebrate all the success. Cutting the cake marked a memorable conclusion to the graduation ceremony, where the students enjoyed dancing and expressed their gratitude.

Empowerment

Understanding yourself, what hinders you, and what motivates you are essential tools to have in your toolkit as a change agent. Counseling sessions, life skills, and, last but not least, taking good care of your physical health are included in the program. Helping others by helping yourself is a very clear goal of the many different empowerment sessions. Here is an example of a counseling session:

On March 4th, group sessions were held with a focus on the topic of 'Personality'. The primary objective of the group session was to help participants understand how their thought processes develop and how their behavior corresponds to their personality. Pooja said: “I am now aware of how and why my behavior is the way it is. It helps me to get to know myself better."

Access to Justice

Even after a child is rescued from a situation of sexual exploitation, access to justice remains distant. In every country where we operate, we see that significant steps need to be taken to stop this problem.

Each student, as a change agent, uses her personal strengths to bring about change in society. Whether it's addressing government agencies, educating schoolchildren about the dangers of social media, assisting liberation teams, or advocating for abused children in court, their efforts are centered around a deep understanding of national and international laws and human rights. As survivors, they understand the challenges of access to justice better than anyone else. By acquiring legal knowledge, they can make a difference for themselves and others. In a session on the Crime Victim Protection Actthe students eagerly seized the opportunity to thoroughly question the Deputy Attorney General on a range of legal topics. Some of the questions included:

Manchan's Question "Not all victims are literate and have access to smartphones and gadgets. How does the victim in these cases access the right information?"
Pooja's Question: "The most recent rough estimate suggests that only 5-10% of victims eventually receive compensation. What alternative steps can be taken to minimize this problem and raise awareness about their right to compensation?"
Shila's Question: "Is it possible to appeal to the higher court when there is a delay in decision-making in the lower courts where the case regarding the victim's complaint has been filed?"

We see that the students are becoming increasingly interested in the in-depth legal knowledge and issues in their country as they can directly apply this in their activities as Change Agents. The increasing commitment of the students is an important and fantastic development in the program.

Change Agency

As the university education and further training program continue, the students immediately apply this knowledge. They step into the world to address the growing challenges of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. They seize every opportunity to do so. International Women's Day was one such opportunity. As the conversation began, the focus shifted to the crucial role International Women's Day plays in addressing gender inequality, recognizing that it is more than just a celebration of women. It is about striving for equality, with men encouraged to support and empower women. The presence of survivors in the program offered a unique perspective and encouraged others to be more empathetic about the existing gender inequalities and the path forward to create a just and equal society.

Students Mira and Rabita took the lead in organizing an awareness program at a secondary School in Pokhara. They addressed an audience of 80 school children from grades 9 and 10, delivering an essential message about human trafficking, its ever-evolving nature, and the complex legal aspects involved, as well as online safety, privacy protection on social media, and children's rights. Through this awareness campaign, their aim was not only to increase awareness about the risks of social media and how online activities can be monitored but also to deepen the understanding of these issues among the youth.

The effect was immediately noticeable. The students enriched their understanding of online hazards and gained a better insight into their rights and responsibilities. The schoolchildren appreciated the valuable information, especially since they were already dealing with challenges on digital platforms. Following the session, the students from the School for Justice also felt inspired and determined to continue their mission: creating awareness and promoting digital safety within their community and schools.

As survivors, the students brought personal experiences and unique perspectives to the session, enabling them to offer insights that non-survivors cannot provide. This aspect makes them powerful advocates capable of transforming their painful experiences into sources of empowerment within the community.

The names used in this report are pseudonyms and not the real names of the individuals involved to protect their privacy.

This photo is created with AI to protect survivors

Links:

https://www.freeagirl.nl/doneer/

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Nov 27, 2023
Update: School for Justice Survivors for Nepal

By Kelly Schut | Director Free a Girl The Netherlands

This photo is created with AI to protect survivors

Thank you for your support towards Free a Girl's School for Justice program in Nepal! Your generosity has made a significant impact on the lives of many women and girls who have experienced sexual exploitation at a young age. Through this program, they are now equipped with the knowledge and skills to not only help themselves but also to support other survivors, assist potential victims, and raise awareness in their community. In 2023, we have enrolled 50 students!

I am not just a survivor. I am more than that. I am a trainer!

In April 2023, something really important happened for us. We had a plan: to talk openly with our community about hard topics like domestic violence and marital rape in Nepal. We worked hard to get ready. We looked up information online, read law books, and used our college library. The program team helped a lot, especially when we had to change the place from where we wanted to talk because of some problems.

On the day we talked to our community, we were both excited and nervous. We went to Bhaktapur with charts and stories we prepared carefully. We used different ways to talk, like showing pictures and playing games, to help people understand. We wanted to make sure everyone knew about the laws and rules for reporting marital rape.

The School for Justice team introduced us and then let us take charge. Each of the ten students, including me, had a job to do. At the end of the day, we got feedback from the people who were there. But one moment really stayed with us. A brave woman came to us and shared her sad story about being hurt by marital rape. Her story showed why our work is important. She thanked us for doing this, especially since we are young. She also felt better knowing about that the School for Justice was educating women and girls who can help people like her.

Our success that day happened because we worked together, planned carefully, had support from mentors, listened to the people we talked to, and learned a lot in our training. We are changing things through what we do. I want to say from this program, I felt like I now have the courage to talk about important things. What really touched me is that the School for Justice staff introduced me as a young trainer, not just as a survivor. This made me feel good. It is okay to say I am a survivor of sexual exploitation. I am. But I am more than that and to be introduced as a trainer instead of only a survivor felt really good.

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Jul 19, 2023
School for Justice Survivors for Nepal

By Kelly Schut | Director Free a Girl The Netherlands

Highlight 1: Inception Meeting: Reflecting on Progress, Envisioning Impact

As we reflect on the progress made during the year, one of the standout moments was the Inception Meeting. The School for Justice began the year with this customary gathering, where all students came together to discuss and plan for the upcoming months. Through various team-building exercises and activities, the participants strengthened their connections and fostered a positive, open, and supportive environment. This sense of unity and collaboration laid the foundation for the program's success throughout the year.

Highlight 2: Championing Gender Equality: Celebrating International Women's Day

Another remarkable highlight was the celebration of International Women's Day. The School for Justice students were determined to amplify their voices and champion gender equality through impactful activities. Collaborating with like-minded organizations, they organized rallies in various cities across Nepal. The joint effort aimed to raise awareness about violence against women, inspire women to take charge of their lives, and encourage male participation in empowering interventions. The students conveyed powerful messages through slogans and placards, advocating for equal rights, women's participation in politics and the labor force, access to justice, and more. Their passion and dedication were evident, and their efforts garnered significant attention, contributing to a growing movement for gender equality.

Highlight 3: Strengthening Access to Justice

Throughout the year, the School for Justice program focused on several core areas to create a lasting impact. One crucial aspect was strengthening access to justice. By receiving comprehensive training at the School for Justice, the students learned how to effectively advocate for themselves and others. As a result, they are now able to offer essential administrative support, document cases, and provide liaison assistance to victims of sexual exploitation. This contribution significantly improves access to justice for survivors and empowers them to seek the support they need.

Highlight 4: Providing Essential Counseling and Live Skills

Additionally, the program placed a strong emphasis on providing essential counseling and life skills to survivors. Regular counseling sessions offered a safe space for them to process their traumatic experiences, address their concerns, and develop effective coping mechanisms. Moreover, group sessions focused on setting life goals, career counseling, stress management, and emotional intelligence, nurturing personal growth and resilience among the survivors.

Highlight 5: Fostering Community Interaction: Empowering Girls

The School for Justice program's impact extended beyond the survivors themselves; it actively fostered community interaction and empowerment. Various programs were conducted to develop essential skills like leadership, problem-solving, and public speaking among girls in the wider community. The students played a pivotal role in raising awareness about pressing issues such as domestic violence and marital rape, challenging cultural norms, and promoting gender equality. By engaging with the community in this manner, the program not only provided valuable knowledge and skills but also initiated vital conversations that can lead to lasting change.

Highlight 6: Legal Awareness Training

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, the program also organized legal awareness training programs on digital rights, cybercrimes, and data protection. Equipping participants with knowledge and tools to protect their digital rights is essential in today's world, and the School for Justice program took a proactive approach in addressing this crucial aspect.

Highlight 7: Engaging with Stakeholders

Furthermore, the School for Justice program recognized the significance of collaboration and stakeholder engagement. By building strong relationships with relevant governmental departments and other organizations, the program aimed to amplify its mission and impact. This collaborative approach garnered wider attention and support for the cause, leading to a more substantial collective effort towards combating exploitation and gender-based violence.

The past six months have been a testament to the dedication and commitment of the School for Justice program. With resilience, compassion, and a collaborative spirit, the program continues to pave the way for positive change in the lives of those affected by sexual exploitation as a child. Your support has been instrumental in achieving these milestones, and we look forward to continuing this transformative journey together.

Thank you once again for making a difference!

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