I want a society free of human trafficking - Anuradha Koirala

Having started Maiti Nepal 20 years ago, in a small house in Kathmandu with her own savings, today Koirala is a widely recognized activist and lecturer who has dedicated her life to combating the trafficking and exploitation of women and children.

Through her organization, the former teacher and daughter of an Indian Army Officer has helped rescue and rehabilitate more than 12,000 Nepali girls and prevent 45,000 children and women from being trafficked at the Indian-Nepal border since 1993. Hundreds of offenders have been sentenced to jail through the joint efforts of Maiti Nepal and the police.

Loosely translated, Maiti means “mother’s home”. It is a safe haven for those girls and women who have been rescued from brothels or taken from traffickers during the daily patrols at crossing points along the India-Nepal border. Most of them are traumatized and will receive psychological and medical treatment. Some girls are able to return to their families while others become socially stigmatized due to their work as prostitutes, particularly if they are infected by HIV/AIDS. These girls will stay at Maiti Nepal, go to school and later work there. Maiti’s ultimate goal is to help the girls and women become economically independent and reintegrate them into society.

Despite the danger they encounter in their work, many of the rescued young women decide to join Anuradha Koirala in her fight against human trafficking. They go out to the villages and run awareness campaigns to educate women and girls about the tricks used by traffickers. These well-dressed, friendly men promise a great job in the city, but then sell them as prostitutes or unpaid maids.

In 2010, Anuradha Koirala was voted CNN Hero of the Year to honor her tremendous work and tireless efforts in her fight against human trafficking. To the victims at Maiti Nepal, she is a friend, a sister, a mother – and she fills these roles with all her heart.

“Just imagine what would happen if your daughter was standing there. What would you do, how would you fight? So you have to join hands, you have to take each child as your daughter. Soon you will feel their sorrow and then you will feel the strength that comes out of you to protect them.” – Interview with Anuradha Koirala, part of the video showing her work and Maiti Nepal at the of the CNN Hero 2010 award ceremony.

source:human-dignity-forum