Government to blame for trafficking of Nepalese women and girls

Lax government enforcement of human anti-trafficking laws has led to an increase in the trafficking of young Nepalese women and girls, mainly for exploitation in Indian brothels, local activists have told IRIN.

Nepal’s 2008 Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) Act stipulates punishment for traffickers of up to 20 years in prison and US$2,600 in fines, and provides for the compensation of victims. But it seems the new law has done nothing to reduce the phenomenon.

“The crucial problem is weak implementation of anti-trafficking laws allowing the traffickers to operate easily,” said Shyam Kumar Pokharel, managing director of Samrakshak Samuha Nepal, an NGO supporting trafficked victims. “Although thousands of traffickers have been arrested, only a few hundred have been convicted.”

The question, of course, is why the government can't be bothered to implement the laws. Is it because women and girls don't matter or is there something more sinister going on?