Hope for Nepalese girls: Fight against human trafficking in Pokhara

Hope for Nepalese girls: Fight against human trafficking in Pokhara

The Epiphany of the Catholic Young Charter (DKA) is impressively committed to improving the living conditions of children and adolescents in Nepal. Under the motto "Strengthening children and securing children", the campaign starts on December 27 and particularly focuses on the Nepalese organization "Opportunity Village Nepal" (OVN), who takes care of girls and young women who have been victims of human trafficking and exploitative work. According to reports from Kathpress suffer many children in the rural regions of Nepal under extreme conditions, without access to education or health care. In particular, they often become victims of violence and forced labor.

The OVN and her project coordinator Sister Anthonia Soosai reported terrifying numbers: In Pokhara, over 4,400 minors work in the entertainment industry under catastrophic conditions, often for financial necessity. The good shepherd's sisters not only offer these young women psychological and medical support, but also vocational training and start -up capital to give them a better future. An affected girl, the 20-year-old Niruta Bishowkarma, told about her hard past and how she found the way to a self-determined life thanks to OVN.

protection against exploitation

But the challenges are serious. Many girls who come to Pokhara from rural areas are attracted to education and jobs with false hopes, but end in a vicious cycle of sexual and financial exploitation. Sister Soosai emphasizes that numerous cultural practices that disadvantage women are rooted in Nepal, and that girls often do not accept help in uncertain conditions. The organization tries to change this by providing psychological support and clarifying the girls about their rights.

In addition, the problem of human trade is discussed, which is favored by the open boundaries between Nepal and India. Human dealers often promise a better future, only to rob the children of their freedom. In order to counteract this problem, Sister Soosai calls for increased cooperation with NGOs and civil society to further expand the capacities to combat human trafficking, as in an interview with Plan International emphasized.