World Day against Trafficking in Persons marked with renewed commitment to combat human trafficking in Nepal

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

The event brought together leaders from government agencies, USAID, civil society organizations and others who are working to end trafficking in persons in Nepal. They were able to remark on achievements in combating human trafficking, proposed solutions to the ongoing issue and reaffirm their commitment to ending trafficking in persons in Nepal.

According to a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)’s report (2022), an estimated 1.9 million people are at risk of human trafficking in Nepal. NHRC observed a rise in child trafficking cases in Nepal with an estimate varying between 7,000 to 12,000 Nepali children trafficked every year.

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

Emphasizing the need for support, cooperation, coordination, and facilitation from both governmental and non-governmental sectors for the prevention of human trafficking, Minister Sah said, “The government has prioritized conducting information and message-oriented programs.”

“This is an opportunity to reflect on the progress made, the people impacted and focus on what more we can do to end human trafficking. A crime of this magnitude demands a collaborative and integrated response from government, civil society organizations, and the private sector,” said Acting Mission Director of USAID, Karen Welch. She reaffirmed that USAID is dedicated to supporting the Government of Nepal and stakeholders in the fight against trafficking.

“We must strengthen our policies and partnerships to upgrade our status in human trafficking,” said Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Women and Social Affairs Kiran Kumar Shah. Shah said the government needs to prioritize children while identifying TIP survivors and expedite the prosecution of TIP cases.

“The government, joining hands with CSOs and private sectors, should work to identify, rescue and rehabilitate such children,” said Lily Thapa, a member of the National Human Rights Commission. Thapa emphasized that the numbers and situation of children trafficked in various sectors are unknown.

USAID Hamro Samma II issued a declaration of commitment to expedite actions against trafficking in persons. Representatives from the Government of Nepal, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the private sector jointly signed the declaration of commitment for concentrating their actions towards combating human trafficking more effectively.