Project Background

Project Background

•Nepal is a source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking.

•An estimated 12,000 Nepali girls are trafficked every year – many of whom end up across the border in Indian brothels, while others are sent to urban centers in sectors like the entertainment industry. This is also unofficially known as Nepal’s “red-light district.”

        ° It is important to note: The exact magnitude of trafficked girls from Nepal is unknown due to limited reporting and prosecution.

• After the 2015 earthquake, Nepal experienced significant changes. The economy became unstable, unemployment increased, and as a result, the number of people migrating from rural villages to the city rose substantially. Many moved to major cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara in search of work.

•Data has shown that 60,000 women and girls are involved in the nightlife and entertainment sector in Kathmandu alone.

        ° This work includes dance clubs, dohori restaurants, message parlors, and other restaurants where they face various forms of exploitation. Many are forced into this work, while others are pushed into it by crushing financial hardship. Some may enter by choice, but far too often minors are trapped through threats, intimidation, and the withholding of wages. 

•As many as 50% of trafficked individuals are under the age of 18 with a range from 13-24 and the average being just 15 years old.

•Other factors contributing to vulnerability include poverty, lack of education, lack of employment opportunities, social and cultural factors like gender-based violence and caste-based discrimination.

•Many girls are sold by their families.

•Majority are trafficked through Kathmandu on their way to the Nepal-India border where they face very little resistance or scrutiny. 

•Once a girl has reached their destination they are usually forced to have sex within 24 hours of arrival.

        ° Many times they are gang-raped to be initiated and go through torture to ensure future compliance.

        ° They are then threatened with death if they attempt to escape or reveal their plight to anyone.

        ° If a girl tries to flee, their bodies will disappear without a trace.

        ° Often they are forced to have unsafe abortions.

        ° HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases are common.