Human trafficking from Nepal to India for various purposes is among the most intensely used in the world, with estimated casualties of 5,000-10,000 people annually. This condition has prompted the establishment of “Maiti Nepal”, a social organization dedicated to help victims of trafficking and child prostitution located in Kathmandu, Nepal. The organization was founded and has been led by Anuradha Koraila.
On December 4, 2016, during breaks of a conference on the “Asian Border Research Network “, a faculty member and alumnus of Master of Social Sciences (MIS), Parahyangan Catholic University (Unpar) had the opportunity to visit Maiti Nepal. This visit is a form of support to realize the “A Society Free of Human, Child, and Woman Trafficking “, which is also the slogan of Maiti Nepal.
Maiti Nepal, which literally means ‘mother’s house’ in Nepali, is dedicated to girls and women who have been experiencing problems with their families, spouses, and society. The residents are mostly victims of domestic violence, and are also victims of trafficking to be employed as prostitutes, unskilled laborers, or children who are traumatized as a result of exploitation and abuse. Maiti Nepal Kathmandu is inhabited by more than 400 women and children who had been smuggled across the India-Nepal border, or rescued from brothels in India. They can live in Maiti Nepal until they are accepted back into their family home or until they are independent.
Between 1993 and 2011, Anuradha Koraila together with Maiti Nepal has rescued and rehabilitated more than 12,000 women and girls victims of trafficking and commercial sex workers. This institution has reunited the women with their families. In addition, the team from Maiti Nepal has also cooperated with the police and law enforcement officers to patrol the Nepal-India border to rescue the victims.
For his services, Anuradha Koraila was awarded ‘ The Peace Abbey ‘ in Sherborn, Massachusetts in 2006 and the ” CNN Hero ” the CNN Hero Award in 2010, an award as CNN hero awarded annually to individuals who have dedicated themselves to humanity.