Cross-Border Trafficking in Nepal and India—Violating Women’s Rights

Abstract

Human trafficking is both a human rights violation and the fastest growing criminal industry in the world. This article examines cross-border trafficking of girls and women in Nepal to India. It gives a brief explanation of what is meant by trafficking and then looks at the reasons behind trafficking. In Nepal, women and children are trafficked internally and to India and the Middle East for commercial sexual exploitation or forced marriage, as well as to India and within the country for involuntary servitude as child soldiers, domestic servants, circus entertainment, and factory workers. Nepal and India are both signatories to international conventions and bound by domestic law to combat trafficking, and yet, this scourge continues. There are many laws in place, both in Nepal and India, which regulate the trafficking and prostituting of girls and women. This article looks at how effective these laws and regulations actually are and will look at the reasons for the continuation of trafficking. Despite the formal recognition of girl trafficking as a major problem and the existence of laws to curtail it, trafficking continues. The major problem with Nepal's and India's domestic laws is in the lack of enforcement. Finally, this article will look at ways to fight trafficking and make the governments of India and Nepal more effective in their fight against trafficking.

Legal Assessments of Child Victims of Human Trafficking for Sexual Purposes

“…However, prosecuting human trafficking cases has proven difficult, and in several countries the estimated number of victims far outweighs the number of prosecuted traffickers (see, e.g., Deane, ; Pollock & Hollier, ; Segrave et al, ). There are several challenges in attempting to prosecute traffickers, not least of which is in persuading victims to testify as witnesses.…”

Transport Corridors for Wider Socio–Economic Development

“…Trafficking of women and girls is a serious problem in border areas of countries in South and South-East Asia. Deane [104] examined cross-border trafficking of women and girls from Nepal to India. This study cited different sources to estimate that 7000 to 10,000 girls between the ages of 9 to 16 years are trafficked each month from Nepal to India.…”

Trafficking of minor girls for commercial sexual exploitation in India: A synthesis of available evidence

“…In the wake of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, a preference for younger girls seems to have emerged and, in particular, the demand for virgin girls, as they are considered HIV-free. Demand for minor girls is also based on the myth that intercourse with a virgin is a cure for HIV/AIDs (Sen and Nair, 2004;Anderson and Davidson, 2003;Deane, 2010;Aengst, 2001;Datta, 2011;Tumlin, 2000).…”