A recent survey conducted during a period of one year has shown that large majority of people trafficked are girls and women.
A finding based on information collected on trafficking incidences in 10 districts by the Planete Enfant’s Cross Border anti trafficking Programme shows that of the total trafficked people 93 percent are female.
The report further said that all regions are affected from the problem but the terai was most affected with over 50 percent incident of trafficking from the region. 32 percent people were trafficked from hills, while 9 percent from the mountain region.
The study further said that adolescents are most affected from the problem.
Of the total cases of trafficking during the study period of December 2004 to December 2005, 41 percent people trafficked were of the age group 15-18, while the ratios of age groups greater than 18 years and less or equal to 14 years are 34 and 25 percent respectively.
The study also found that lesser educated groups are much more affected from the problem.
Of the trafficked people, 31 percent were illiterate, while 45 percent were educated only up to primary level. The ratio of lower secondary and secondary education comprise 17 and 7 percent respectively.
In the case of ethnicity, 40 percent victims are from the Mongolian community and 18 percent Dalits. The ratio of Chhetri, Tharu, Brahmin and others are 16, 9, 6 and 11 respectively.
According to experts, open border between Nepal and India, declining employment opportunities and flaring conflict of the country could be attributed as main reasons for increasing human trafficking.
The study also said that the lure of jobs is the most commonly used pretext for trafficking people. Due to declining level of employment, people are more attracted towards foreign jobs. The study shows that 48 percent people were trafficked in the pretext of various jobs in India, while 23 percent trafficked in the pretext of jobs in golf countries.
The ratio of trafficking in the pretexts of love or marriage and promised recreation are 24 and 5 percent respectively.
Though there have been various efforts from governmental and non-governmental organizations to check the trafficking the problem remained a great challenge to Nepal.
(Note: Source of all charts are Planete Enfants, Nepal)