Nepal Trafficking in Girls With Special Reference to Prostitution: A ...

A Rapid Assessment
3.3 Trafficking-Prone Areas
Contemporary processes of trafficking have spread throughout Nepal. The respondents in this study came
from 29 districts covering all ecological zones and development regions of the country. A majority were born in
the central hills/mountains (35/85). Three-fourths (64/85) reported birthplaces in rural areas of Nepal. The
majority of respondents are from the following districts: Sindhupalchowk (n=7), Nuwakot (n=7), Chitwan (n=7),
Kathmandu (n=5), Rupandehi (n=5), Banke (n=5) and Lalitpur (n=5) (Table 3.1).
3.3.1 High Risk Groups
Although the phenomenon of trafficking crosses many caste/
ethnic group divisions, those most at risk are the hill ethnic
groups and lower castes. In the survey sample, the majority
came from hill ethnic groups (47%) followed by Brahmin/
Chhetri (3/17= 23.5%), Dalits (17.7%) and Terai groups
(11.8%). In terms of individual caste/ethnicity, the highest
number were Tamang, followed by Chhetri (Table 3.2).
The previously mentioned study by the Society
Protection Youth Club Ichowk, Sindhupalchowk, which
is a typical trafficking prone district, also supports the
evidence that Tamang girls are much more affected than
other castes/ethnic groups. Of 73 girls trafficked from 61
households, 72 were from the Tamang community. Most
key informants also highlighted the over representation of
Table 3.2: Trafficked Girls by Caste/Ethnicity
Trafficked/Commercial Sexual Exploitation
Caste/Ethnicity N Caste/Ethnicity N
Hill Groups 40 (47.1) Dalits 15 (11.8)
Tamang 24 Kamai 9
Magar 7 Damai 6
Gurung 3 Terai 10 (11.8)
Rai 2 Sardar 3
Bhujel 2 Saha 3
Kumal 1 Kahar 2
Newar 1 Tharu 2
Brahmin/Chhetri 20 (23.5)
Chhetri 17
Brahmin 3 Total 85
3.3.2 Age When Trafficked
Numbers in parentheses indicate percentages.
Tamangs. However,
one key informant
reported that
Chhetri girls from
Western Nepal are
also very affected
by the phenomenon
of trafficking. Thus,
it would be mistaken
to conclude
that only Tamang
girls are trafficked
and/or are at high
risk.
The respondents were trafficked from early adolescence (Table 3.3). About one-fourth were under fourteen, and
more than half were under sixteen. In our sample, girls were seldom trafficked before puberty - about age thirteen.
Table 3.3: Age When First Trafficked
Age when first trafficked N Per cent Cum. per cent
9 1 1.5 1.5
10 1 1.5 3.0
11 1 1.5 4.5
12 2 3.0 7.5
13 11 16.4 23.9
14 10 14.9 38.8
15 10 14.9 53.7
16 14 20.9 74.6
17 15 22.4 97.0
18 2 3.0 100.0
Total 67 100.0
Mean age 15
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