NEPAL: Care and services for survivors of trafficking and abuse
One of the poorest countries in Asia, Nepal still suffers from the effects of long internal civil and political conflict. People in the mostly rural areas affected by the conflict remain in need of psychological and medical services, while the estimated 100,000 to 200,000 internally displaced continue to struggle to find work and survive. Women in particular have been rendered vulnerable by the high poverty levels. Lured by promises of employment, marriage, and the chance at a better life, international organizations estimate that thousands of women and girls are trafficked into India and within Nepal for forced sex work and other forms of exploitation. Deprived of their freedom and facing rape and physical and emotional abuse, victims of trafficking are denied their basic human rights. Those who manage to return home are often stigmatized and have few places to turn for their emotional and physical health needs. Many women and girls in Nepal face similar needs due to their experience of domestic violence and other forms of trauma; often, these experiences lead them to leave their homes and render them at greater risk for trafficking and other forms of exploitation and abuse.
Support for survivors of trafficking
Since 2004, DOW has been working to increase specialized health services available to survivors of trafficking and abuse, as well as those who are at risk. Partnering with local women’s shelters which had previously not been able to address their clients’ health needs, DOW has established clinics and other health and support programs to help survivors of abuse. The program serves as a model for replication throughout Nepal.
Since 2004, DOW has been working to increase specialized health services available to survivors of trafficking and abuse, as well as those who are at risk. Partnering with local women’s shelters which had previously not been able to address their clients’ health needs, DOW has established clinics and other health and support programs to help survivors of abuse. The program serves as a model for replication throughout Nepal.
Building a systematic response to child abuse and gender-based violence
Building on our work with survivors of trafficking and those at risk, DOW is partnering with UNICEF and UNFPA to improve the Nepali health sector’s capacity to screen, report, and respond to violence against children and women. By training health providers across the country, DOW is filling a gap in terms of ensuring children’s and women’s right to live free from violence.
Building on our work with survivors of trafficking and those at risk, DOW is partnering with UNICEF and UNFPA to improve the Nepali health sector’s capacity to screen, report, and respond to violence against children and women. By training health providers across the country, DOW is filling a gap in terms of ensuring children’s and women’s right to live free from violence.
Comprehensive and long-term solutions
By collaborating with local organizations, developing tools to ensure quality care, and supporting the training a national-level network of health providers with appropriate skills, DOW’s program in Nepal is fostering a sustainable and large-scale response for survivors of violence.
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By collaborating with local organizations, developing tools to ensure quality care, and supporting the training a national-level network of health providers with appropriate skills, DOW’s program in Nepal is fostering a sustainable and large-scale response for survivors of violence.
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