Gender Equality Nepal Project #14845

Stop Girl Trafficking in Nepal

by American Himalayan Foundation

Project Report | Feb 24, 2026
From Student to Mentor: Sanjana's Story

By Sarah Beckhaus | Communications Manager

Sanjana was born in a remote village in western Nepal, the youngest of eight children in a poor family. Raised by her alcoholic and often abusive father, her home life was marked by instability. When Sanjana watched her siblings drop out of school to escape, she started to believe her future would follow the same path. She’d begun to accept that, like her sisters, she would be in an arranged marriage before she turned 15.

But just before that could happen, Sanjana was selected to be part of Stop Girl Trafficking (SGT). The program provided the supplies, tutoring, and mentorship she needed to thrive in school. For the first time in her life, Sanjana felt like someone truly cared for her and recognized her potential. With this new support system, she began to see that a different future might be possible.

SGT Friday classes quickly became her favorite part of the week. There, she met other girls who understood what she was going through, and she no longer felt so alone. They spoke about topics that were rarely discussed in their community, like mental health and the risks of child marriage, and learned skills to become more independent. As time went on, Sanjana’s confidence grew, and she really found her voice in and outside the classroom.

That confidence carried into the rest of her life. Sanjana focused on her studies and graduated high school with exceptional grades. She even earned a scholarship to pursue her bachelor’s degree, becoming one of the few young women from her village to attend university.

Sanjana never forgot the role SGT played in her life. Determined to give back, she returned as a Friday class facilitator, teaching girls who remind her of her younger self. This part-time teaching role provides her with income to support herself while pursuing a master’s degree, allowing her to continue her own growth. At the same time, she is helping the next generation of girls see new possibilities for themselves.

Because of your support, SGT is creating opportunities for girls to support one another to overcome the challenges they face, and advocate for women’s rights within their communities. Together, we are helping change what is possible in even the most remote parts of Nepal, so that girls like Sanjana can shape their own futures.

To learn more about our work and the SGT Program please visit the links below:

All names have been changed for privacy and images are representative.

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Oct 8, 2025
Anita's Story

By Sarah Beckhaus | Communications Manager

After her mother passed away, 14-year-old Anita felt hopeless. Living with her alcoholic father and no support system, Anita was forced to step in and care for her two younger siblings.

It became difficult to prioritize her education, especially when pressure was growing for her to begin earning money for the family. And for a girl Anita’s age in rural Nepal, the means of earning income are bleak. Just as she was about to drop out of school, her teacher referred her to the Stop Girl Trafficking (SGT) program.

Through SGT, Anita finally had the safety net she desperately needed, finding comfort and happiness in her classroom. The encouragement and support she received in the program have helped her realize her potential.

Anita is now in grade 9, thriving academically, and dreams of becoming a teacher herself.

The SGT program remains a powerful and practical solution to breaking the cycle of exploitation for thousands of young girls like Anita in Nepal. By providing school support and weaving strong networks in the community, SGT empowers girls to continue their education and build better lives for themselves and their families. In the last year, 9,200 girls were enrolled in SGT across 14 districts in Nepal.

Every girl that joins SGT reminds us why this project is so important. We’ve seen incredible transformations as girls grow in confidence and find strength through their education. Because of SGT, some of the most marginalized youth across Nepal are growing into future leaders, challenging the status quo and opening doors for the next generation of girls who will follow them.

And the results speak for themselves. There have been no reports of trafficking among girls in SGT or in their school communities, further solidifying that the impact is spreading beyond just the students who are enrolled. Thanks to your support, we can continue this life-changing work: keeping girls in school and giving them the chance at the future they deserve.

To learn more about our work and the SGT Program please visit the links below:

All names have been changed for privacy and images are representative. Photo credits: Luigi Fieni.

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May 12, 2025
Finding Her Voice: Gita's Story

By Debbie Cohen | Communications Manager

Gita turns to singing, and SGT, for comfort.

The harder life gets for 10-year-old Gita, the more she dreams about becoming a singer when she grows up. It’s a dream that has only gotten stronger since her father passed away.

Her mother remarried soon after and moved to live with her new husband, leaving Gita behind. She doesn’t know when — or if — she will see her mom again. Gita now lives in her aunt’s small, crowded home, separated from her brother, who is being raised by another relative far away.

Going to school is the one bright spot in Gita’s troubled life. With her family tragically torn apart, the grade 5 student takes comfort in the consistent support and stable routine of going to school every day, made possible by STOP Girl Trafficking (SGT).

SGT pays for school fees, supplies, and uniforms and provides mentorship for girls like Gita, who might otherwise drop out of school and fall prey to the dangers of trafficking, early marriage, and forced labor.

“If it wasn’t for SGT there’s no way I could afford to send Gita to school,” said her aunt. In her house live two daughters-in-law (both of her sons are away, one working in India, the other serving in the Nepalese army), a young grandson, and now, Gita. Though both sons send a little money back, it’s barely enough.

Fortunately, when things get tough, Gita knows she can turn to her Friday Teacher. Friday Teachers provide extra, more personal, tutoring and support to SGT students during special classes at the end of each week. They also act as role models for the girls, and most are SGT alums themselves.

Singing helps Gita to express herself and ease the pain of losing her immediate family. One song she wrote in the form of a letter to her parents speaks of her longing for them with such heartfelt lines as: “Mom cries in secret, thinking of you,” and “Dad, she remembers you, and so I do too.”

Despite everything Gita’s been through in her young life, she still finds her voice — through songs, Friday classes, making friends with the other girls, and sharing her hopes and dreams.

Because of your support, Gita and the other girls in the SGT program are not just surviving difficult circumstances; they are pushing back against them by staying in school, supporting one another, and building better futures.

On behalf of the 10,000 at-risk girls in SGT, thank you for making this life-changing work possible!

(All names have been changed for privacy and images are representative.)

To learn more about our work and the SGT Program please visit the links below:

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