Introduction of Maiti Nepal

MAITI Nepal was born out of a crusade to protect Nepali girls and women from crimes like domestic violence, trafficking for flesh trade, child prostitution, child labor and various forms of exploitation and torture. A group of socially committed professionals like teachers, journalists and social workers together formed Maiti Nepal in 1993 to fight against all the social evils inflicted upon our female populace. Most of all, its special focus has always been on preventing trafficking for forced prostitution, rescuing flesh trade victims and rehabilitating them. This social organisation also actively works to find justice for the victimized lot of girls and women by engaging in criminal investigation and waging legal battles against the criminals. It has highlighted the trafficking issue with its strong advocacy from the local to national and international levels.

Birth of Maiti Nepal

Maiti has no literal translation but it denotes a girl's real family, where she was born into. The word has a sentimental value especially for a married Nepali woman who has no longer any right towards her parents or their property. She then becomes an outsider belonging solely to her husband and her family forever. The famous song, Maiti ghar timro haina paryi ghar jao--meaning "this is not your home, you belong to an outsider (husband)" says it all.

Maiti Nepal however is home to all women and girls--whether married or not--who are exploited, their rights grossly violated and neglected by family and society likewise. It was a crusade to find such victims a home for their protection from social evils that gave birth to this NGO in November 1993.

It was started by a handful of conscious professionals like teachers, journalists, and social workers committed towards combating the social crimes like domestic violence, girl trafficking, child prostitution, child labour and various forms of female exploitation.

Objectives and target group

Maiti's focus has always been on prevention of girl trafficking, a burning issue for Nepal. Rescuing girls forced into prostitution and helping to find economic alternatives have been our key struggle. Rehabilitation, although not literally possible especially with former prostitutes, is one major challenge we have accepted in our work. The practical steps would be to counsel them and provide non-formal education on health, laws, basic reading and writing. They are also trained to develop income-generation skills and provided Maiti's shelter until they are ready to stand on their feet. The sexually abused girls, abandoned children, potential victims of trafficking, destitute women, prisoner's children, returnees from Indian brothels, girls and children infected with HIV and Hepatitis B, intercepted girls are the major target groups or say, beneficiaries of our programs.