World Day Against Human Trafficking Marks Renewed Commitment to Combating Human Trafficking in Nepal – myRepublica

KATHMANDU, July 30: The Hamro Samman II Program of the United States Agency for International Development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens (MoWCSC) and various stakeholders, organized an event in Kathmandu today to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

The event brought together leaders from government agencies, USAID, civil society organizations, and others working to end human trafficking in Nepal to highlight achievements in the fight against human trafficking, propose solutions to the ongoing problem, and reaffirm their commitment to ending human trafficking in Nepal.

According to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) report (2022), an estimated 1.9 million people in Nepal are vulnerable to human trafficking. The NHRC has observed an increase in the number of child trafficking cases in Nepal, with estimates ranging from 7,000 to 12,000 Nepalese children being trafficked each year.

Minister of Women, Children and Senior Citizens (MoWCSC) Nawal Kishor Sah Sudi explained the current situation of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) in Nepal and pledged to strengthen the government’s response. “The government has recognized its responsibility to expedite legal action against human trafficking, as well as rescue, protection, rehabilitation, family reunification and care of victims,” Sah said.

Stressing the need for support, cooperation, coordination and facilitation from the government and non-governmental sectors to prevent human trafficking, Minister Sah said, “The government has given priority to conducting information and messaging-oriented programmes.”

“This is an opportunity to reflect on progress, those affected, and focus on what more we can do to end human trafficking. A crime of this scale requires a collaborative and integrated response from government, civil society organizations, and the private sector,” said USAID Acting Mission Director Karen Welch. She reaffirmed USAID’s commitment to supporting the Nepalese government and stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking.

“We need to strengthen our policies and partnerships to raise our profile in the trafficking of persons,” said Kiran Kumar Shah, chairwoman of the parliamentary committee on women and social affairs. Shah said the government must prioritise children when identifying TIP victims and speed up the prosecution of TIP cases.

“The government, joining forces with civil society organizations and the private sector, should take action to identify, rescue and rehabilitate such children,” said Lily Thapa, a member of the National Human Rights Commission. Thapa stressed that the number and situation of children trafficked in various sectors is unknown.

USAID Hamro Samma II Issues Declaration of Commitment to Accelerate Action against Human Trafficking. Representatives from the Government of Nepal, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the private sector jointly signed a declaration of commitment to focus their efforts on more effectively combating human trafficking.