Kathmandu, Jan. 19: The findings of a research study titled “Trafficking in Nepal: Field Research” conducted among 1,269 adolescent girls ranging between 14-19 show that 72 per cent of them have heard about trafficking in women and girls. Girls are bound to be the victims of trafficking as the traffickers entrap them, give false promises of marriage and job opportunities, the research findings say.

The research study was conducted in six Village Development Committees (VDCs), two each in three districts— Jhapa, Parsa and Palpa. It was jointly conducted by the Asia Foundation, Kathmandu (AF/K), and the Population Council (Horizons), New Delhi, from March to June last year.

Speaking at a one-day dissemination seminar on the key findings, organised here today, Nick Langton, representative of the AF/K, said that the studies indicate that more in-depth researches and effective intervention programmes have to be launched besides promoting the rights of women and children.

At the programme organised here today to present the findings of the research, conceptual issues were highlighted by Dr. Celine Costello Daly, Programme Associate of Population Council/Horizons, who had worked as a facilitator to conduct the field research.

Dr. Jyoti Sanghera, who was also involved in preparing the report “Trafficking in Nepal: Policy Analysis”, said that policy lapses have also contributed to trafficking in girls and women in Nepal.

Findings of another research on “Trafficking in Nepal: Intervention Models” were presented by Dr. Catrin Evans and Ms. Pankaja Bhattarai.

The research highlighted innovative intervention approaches being applied to fight trafficking, identify programme gaps and provide guidelines for the development and implementation of relevant policies and programmes.

The research findings also found that social stigmatisation regarding trafficking and HIV/AIDS in the rural parts of the country was quite high.

On the occasion, the representatives of the government, donor organisations, NGOs and INGOs were present.

It dwelt on the fact that concerted efforts need to be made to combat trafficking in women and girls. Although no thorough study has been conducted so far to pinpoint the exact number of Nepalese women and girls in the sex trade in the Indian brothels, NGOs believe that the number stands at around 200,000. And between 5,000-7,000 girls are said to be trafficked to India every year.