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agencies and international organisations, were conducting
anti-trafficking initiatives in Nepal. 151 Since that time, the number
of NGOs has risen, particularly NGOs who engage in activities
related to women and children in the entertainment and sex
industries (for a partial listing of these NGOs, refer to Annex
IV. Resources). These NGOs are small and some are comprised
of women workers or trafficking survivors. Their activities
include, among other things, advocacy and public awareness
regarding issues in the entertainment and sex industries; health
care, child care and counselling for industry workers; and
provision of vocational training and placement to help girls and
women pursue alternative life options. As yet, relative to the
larger, established NGOs working in anti-trafficking and violence
against women and children, these NGOs have had little voice
in national advocacy and have not yet participated extensively
in national planning efforts.
INTERNATIONAL NON-GOVERNMENTAL
ORGANISATIONS
International non-governmental organisations (INGOs), including
foreign government development agencies and United Nations
agencies, support numerous initiatives by the government,
NGOs, media and civil society to prevent and respond to
trafficking, violence against women and children, and violation
of human rights, including labour rights. They coordinate their
efforts with bilateral donors and UN agencies through the
Anti-Trafficking Inter-Agency Coordinating Group (IACG) cochaired
by UNICEF and Terre des hommes Foundation. These
2010 Terre des hommes www.tdh.ch 76
organisations have assisted government and civil society in
conducting legal reform and framing policies and programmes,
including those to address trafficking, reduce poverty, provide
education and address HIV/AIDS. International organisations
network, exchange information and discuss overall strategies,
including those addressing trafficking issues, as members of
the Association of International NGOs in Nepal (AIN).
BUSINESS COMMUNITY
The business community in the Kathmandu Valley has taken
a role in addressing issues related to the entertainment industry.
In response to concerns regarding the working conditions and
sexual harassment of entertainment workers, several ‘codes
of conduct’ have been developed. A code of conduct was
developed by the Nepal Progressive Massage Workers’ Union
(an entrepreneurs’ association, despite its name), and another
was developed by the Nepal Restaurants Entrepreneurs’
Association. Most recently, the Code of Conduct for Night
Time Entertainment Industry 2009 was developed by the
government in collaboration with the Night Entertainment
Entrepreneurs Association, which is an Invited Member of the
committee to monitor adherence to the code of conduct.
MEDIA
The print, radio and television media of Nepal has been a
significant contributor to raising awareness of trafficking, as
well as women’s and children’s rights and issues of violence
against women and children. Print and electronic media