Events
- Awareness Campaign at 5 VDCs of Sitapaila, Kathmandu Valley - 2004-05-05
Maiti Nepal organized an awareness campaign in Kallabari, Dadagaon, Nayagaon and Ramkote VDC at Sitapaila of Kathmandu Valley on May 5, 2004. As there is a high possibility of young girls and women of these VDCs falling prey of trafficking, Maiti Nepal felt that it was essential to launch an awareness campaign there. There were seventy participants comprising of its staff, girls and children, members of Nepal Plus and well-wishers of Maiti Nepal.
Participants were dropped off by buses at Echanku VDC the last transportation stop and started the two hours walk up to Kallabari VDC. They were divided into two groups; one group took the shorter trail while the other walked the longer trail to reach the VDC. Each of the group walked door to door informing the locals of the awareness campaign, distributing pamphlets and posters as well as gathering information on missing cases if there were any.
The two groups met at Kallabari VDC and slowly locals gathered one by one. The program started with an awareness song by the children and women of Maiti Nepal. Generally through the means of awareness songs locals are encouraged to join the gathering and it also provides them with basic information on trafficking.
Ms. Santona Devkota, Information Officer gave a brief introduction of Maiti Nepal and Community Safety Net Programs and issues of trafficking. Furthermore, Uma Tamang, Lawyer of Maiti Nepal enlightened the mass with the legal provision of trafficking.
VDC officials of Ramkote and Kallabari were also present at the awareness gathering. Bir Bahadur Tamang, Former Ward Director of Ramkote VDC stated that girls are trafficked by outsiders as well as by their own relatives and added that the traffickers should also think that someday it could happen to their own daughters or sisters and the girls should not be lured by false promises of the pimps.
Similarly, Suryaman Tamang, Director of Kapileshwor Youth Club positively said that we should Awareness Campaign at 5 VDCs of Sitapaila, Kathmandu Valley all join hands and fight against girl trafficking.
Ram Lama, Secretary of Kallabari VDC said that Maiti Nepal did not just perform a drama but depicted the reality that is happening with innocent girls and may happen if they are not aware of trafficking.
From the mass, Sabina Tamang a SLC passed student from Kallabari volunteered to share a few words. She stated that till today people are unaware of girl trafficking and this could be due to illiteracy and lack of education in the remote places like hers. People think that once they can read and write they are clever but they do not know that little knowledge is dangerous and do not feel the need to study further. Parents should understand that sons and daughters are equal and that they should be provided with good education. The program concluded with a song by the children and women of Maiti Nepal along with vote of thanks by Santona Devkota.
There were approximately 250 locals gathered at the program and information on anti-trafficking and HIV/AIDs awareness was disseminated along with IEC materials to more than 1000 households. Girls and women of Maiti Nepal also performed street dramas depicting the reality for the locals. Although the local people in this area was not hard hit by girl trafficking but they were convinced that prevention is better than cure.
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