ProjeCt
Maiti Nepal
BACKGROUND
Human Trafficking in Nepal
Human trafficking is a major social problem in Nepal, particularly affecting women and children. The country is among the poorest in the world, and many families live in remote, hard-to-reach regions with only limited access to education, healthcare and paid employment. These structural weaknesses make young people particularly vulnerable to exploitation. Traffickers exploit the plight of many families, luring them with false promises of work, education or marriage — often resulting in sexual exploitation, forced labour or modern slavery, both domestically and abroad.
Every year, up to 15,000 girls and young women are abducted in Nepal, mostly to India, China or the Gulf States, where they are helpless, exploited and abused. Many of them are minors. Violence, mass rape, disease and complete isolation are part of their daily lives.
Locked in dark and dirty rooms, they lose not only their freedom, but often their very sense of self. The psychological and physical consequences are devastating.
Maiti Nepal Success stories
In cooperation with partner organisations and the police, Maiti Nepal regularly succeeds in tracking down and rescuing abducted girls. With free legal councel for the victims and targeted prosecution of the perpetrators, human traffickers are brought to justice and convicted.
Girls + Women intercepted and protected from abduction
Successful rehabilitation of women + girls
Girls + women freed from forced prostitution
Traffickers arrested, convicted and/or imprisoned
Maiti Nepal
For a World Free of Human Trafficking
Maiti Nepal fights human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of Nepalese women and children with comprehensive measures, pursuing a holistic approach encompassing prevention, rescue, care and reintegration.
Protection and New Prospects
In the Rehabilitation and Protection centre of Maiti Nepal in Kathmandu, around 250 children and 100 young women who have been rescued from forced prostitution, violence or extreme poverty find a safe home. In addition to housing, meals and medical care, they also receive psychological support as well as school and vocational training — a holistic path to a self-determined life.
Education as a Path Out of Exploitation
The Teresa Academy, named after Mother Teresa, is Maiti Nepal’s school. Around 350 children — many of whom directly affected by or at risk from human trafficking — are taught here. In a safe environment, they can not only learn and earn their degrees, but also play sport and make music. Education gives them self-confidence and opens up real prospects for the future.
Active Against Human Trafficking at the Borders
Maiti Nepal operates checkpoints at the main border crossings with India and China, as well as along the main roads leading out of Kathmandu. There, staff members are able to identify girls at risk and prevent their abduction at the last minute.
Awareness-Raising that Protects and Changes
Maiti Nepal is comprehensively engaged in the prevention of human trafficking — through targeted awareness work in schools, remote villages, deprived areas and factories. In specially established prevention centres, girls are informed about the dangers of exploitation and empowered. Information campaigns reach thousands of people every year — often led by survivors themselves .
In addition, Maiti Nepal trains police officers, teachers and students to establish awareness and sensitivity to the issue. With congresses and workshops for political decision-makers, the organisation brings the topic of human trafficking onto the national agenda — to drive sustainable change.
Help for the Most Vulnerable
Maiti Nepal’s hospice offers a safe heaven for severely traumatised women. Many of them are physically or emotionally so scarred that they are no longer able to live independently. Thanks to medical care, therapeutic support and social services, they are able to lead a dignified life, despite all the challenges.
Maiti Nepal thus provides a comprehensive network of protection and support that helps women and children break the cycle of exploitation and find a new, safe future.
Samjhana Pokhrel
From Orphan to Doctor
“The first of our children has successfully completed her medical studies! Samjhana Pokhrel is the first doctor from Maiti Nepal!” The founder of Maiti, Anuradha Koirala, is filled with happiness, joy, and pride. Samjhana came to Maiti as a 7-year-old orphan. Today, when the young doctor returns to Maiti from her work in the psychiatric ward of a state hospital, she still walks through the clinic, examining the sick and pregnant women and advising the nurses.
Our Support for Maiti Nepal
Construction of a Rehabilitation and Protection centre for children and women rescued from forced prostitution and abuse, icluding a training centre
Project country: Nepal
Partner organisation: Maiti Nepal
Capacity:: 100 women and 250 children
Project period: 1999–2002
Construction of a kindergarten and school for children affected by poverty and abuse
Project country: Nepal
Partner organisation: Maiti Nepal
Capacity: 380 children
Project period: 1999 – 2002
Construction of a clinic specialising in HIV-infected women and children providing medical care and compassionate support
Project country: Nepal
Partner organisation: Maiti Nepal
Capacity: 40 beds
Project period: 1999 – 2002
Construction of a hospice for children and women with AIDS
Project country: Nepal
Partner organisation:: Maiti Nepal
Capacity: 44 beds
Project period: 2004 – 2006
Construction of a Rehabilitation and Protection centre for children and women rescued from forced prostitution and abuse, icluding a training centre
Project country: Nepal
Partner organisation: Maiti Nepal
Capacity: 100 women and 250 children
Project period: 1999 – 2002
Construction of a kindergarten and school for children affected by poverty and abuse
Project country: Nepal
Partner organisation: Maiti Nepal
Capacity: 380 children
Project period: 1999 – 2002
Construction of a clinic specialising in HIV-infected women and children providing medical care and compassionate support
Project country: Nepal
Partner organisation: Maiti Nepal
Capacity: 40 Betten
Project period: 1999–2002
Construction of a hospice for children and women with AIDS
Project country: Nepal
Partner organisation: Maiti Nepal
Capacity: 44 Betten
Project period: 2004 – 2006