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Trafficking in Women, Nepal's Dirtiest Secret

Bhuwan Thapaliya - 9/25/2005

The constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal bans the sale or trafficking of women under Article 20 (1): "Traffic in human beings, slavery, serfdom or forced labour in any form is prohibited. Any contravention of this provision shall be punishable by law."

However, limited government intervention, geographic proximity, relatively open borders, and a poor security infrastructure have made Nepal a convenient logistics and transit point, making the trafficking of girls from Nepal to India a notorious regional phenomenon.

The country possesses a number of soft targets that make it an attractive site for girl-trafficking operations. Due to the age-old patriarchal value system, Nepalese women are still forced to play a stereotypic role in society and are often regarded as second-class citizens, even in the 21st century. They are still oppressed, exploited, dominated and discriminated against from the earliest age.

Various socio-cultural taboos restrain Nepalese women from seeking justice against the violence they are facing. To curb this unbridled gender inequality, gender issues are gaining prominence in every field around the world. Nepal is no exception, but abusing women is still a common phenomenon in Nepal.

Society still views abuse against women as a private, internal family matter that should not be interfered with. Extreme cases of torture and cruelty against women go unnoticed and unreported. Even those few cases brought before a court of law are not adjudicated in a gender-sensitive manner.

Enforced prostitution and trafficking of women are forms of violence for profit, and a substantial number of Nepalese women are subjected.

Although it is extremely difficult to obtain data on trafficking, it is estimated that over 200,000 Nepalese girls are working as prostitutes or in sex-related businesses in India. Varied sources indicate that between 5,000 and 7,000 Nepalese girls are sold to India on a yearly basis.

The story of these Nepalese girls in Indian brothels is pathetic. Brothel owners subject them to mental and physical persecution. If they refuse to serve clients, then they are locked up for days, starved, beaten, and choked until they accept their ill fate and learn how to accommodate up to 15-20 clients a day.

According to the Christian Science Monitor, "Girls in brothels routinely face violence, intimidation, sexual assault, and torture at the hands of brothel owners, clients and even police."

Furthermore, the irony is this: Even after the decades of governmental and nongovernmental scrutiny and interference, trafficking is still a thriving business and neo-networks are mushrooming. Traditional trafficking operations have become more modern, complex, sophisticated and organized by way of a network of gangs and syndicates.

It is important to note that the nature, scope and pattern of trafficking are changing and that this change is directly related to socioeconomic conditions and religious orientations.

The deuki system is a relevant example from Nepal. In this system, rich, childless families buy girls from poor families and offer them to the temples in hopes of a blessing from the gods. These girls are forced into prostitution later on.

The economic factor, while not the most important, is considered to be substantial in influencing trafficking. Oxfam unequivocally blames the problem of rural poverty for the trade in girls and women from Nepal to brothels in Indian cities.

However, it has been pointed out by Mary Rita Rozario that poverty alone is not the cause of prostitution. But when the condition is coupled with the low of status women in Nepal and the prevailing hierarchical caste structure, the situation is aggravated.

The state has a great role and responsibility in preventing the sensitive problem of the trafficking of women and girls. The government, time and again, is blamed for not showing its commitment and effort to control the trafficking of women. Still, one cannot devalue the efforts of the various NGOs, mainly Maiti Nepal, regarding the control of trafficking in Nepal.

Nevertheless, we must act now. The matter is urgent. If we really wish to bring remarkable change to society, all forms of discrimination and exploitation against women and girls must end everywhere.

The need to support trafficking survivors and stop the trafficking of women and girls from Nepal should be perceived by the government as crucial.

However, there is a frail link between sensible strategies; so far in Nepal these typically focus on psychology rather than socioeconomic developmental models that address suffering and gender relations at the macro level.

To be quite frank, the exploitation of Nepalese women and girls may never end. But surely, for now, it must be monitored. Its magnitude should be lessened. Let our efforts in this struggle be unceasing. If we make an honest and dedicated effort to solve this problem, it can be solved.