Flesh trade in Nepal- Picture of inhumanity

 “Real men don’t buy & sell girls. Real men love, care for and protect girls.”

This sentence has been quoted by Hollywood actress #Demi Moore during her recent trip to Nepal to work on CNN’s Freedom Project. Ms. Moore & her beau #Ashton Kutcher have recently launched their own foundation to address and combat the issue of child sex trafficking.

Well, I am not blogging about the Celebs or to appreciate their work here. As my blog has now hit 1000 previews from across the continents, I just decided to bring some social concerns in front of everyone. This is just my small effort to enlighten people from every corner of the World to raise their voice against human trafficking, and I am sure this is not the issue of my country alone.

#Maiti Nepal is a NGO based in Kathmandu, Nepal that was established in 1993 to protect Nepali girls and women from domestic violence, trafficking for flesh trade, child prostitution, child labor and various forms of exploitation and torture. #Ms. Anuradha Koirala, the chairperson of Maiti Nepal has been voted as CNN hero of the year 2010 by people worldwide in an online poll that ran for eight weeks on CNN.com. (I would love to work with Maiti Nepal someday !)

I am doing some research on the internet about human trafficking in Nepal (though it’s not a part of my course of study as of now), I am really surprised to come across some awful facts-

NGOs estimate that 10,000 to 15,000 Nepali women and girls are trafficked to India annually, while 7,500 children are trafficked domestically for commercial sexual exploitation. In many cases, relatives or acquaintances facilitated the trafficking of women and young girls into sexual exploitation. Women and girls are also trafficked to other Asian destinations, including Malaysia, Hong Kong, and South Korea for commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor. Also, NGOs report that some police, border guards, and other officials routinely accept bribes to turn a blind eye to activities of traffickers. Many dance bars, “cabin restaurants,” and massage parlours in Kathmandu that facilitate sex trafficking are reportedly co-owned by senior police and army officials.(courtesy: various sites)

Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) Act, 2064 considers an act as Human Trafficking and Transportation, if anyone sells or buys a person for any purpose, forces someone into prostitution, with or without pay removes human organs except otherwise determined by law.

So here is an Act declared in our law to protect against this and to raise the issue on court.

But, I wonder how many cases have been filed so far and how many people have received justice. The main two causes for these increasing criminal activities, I think, are unemployment & lack of  proper education. Had there not been those problems, majority of people might not have opted for alternatives like; risking their life for jobs in foreign land, or women might not have chosen to work in night clubs or dance bars.

My question here, who is responsible for these outrageous crimes? Should the blame completely be thrown on our paralyzed government or the political instability? Or on those who has lifted up their living standard overnight by virtue of being involved in this flesh trade? Or on parents who completely trust those frauds & send their children abroad for work? Or the victims themselves who are less conscious about what is happening?

Also, if we are now trying to stop these social discrepancies, do we have any alternatives for those who, by now, are completely dependent on this profession to earn breads & butter for their family?

Above all, I think, there has to be stringent laws to curtail any sort of crimes against women and children. Not only they should be protected, Government should also empower women who have suffered through this. 

Women in Nepal need someone to help and encourage them to come out from their discouraging social boundaries and speak up for themselves.

But most importantly, this is our responsibility to bring a change in our society. Yes, we have voted our leaders to bring this change, but when they are quiet pathetic to impart their duties, we should not wait for them to wake ourselves up! It’s time to speak up! Let’s not wait till anyone from our own family becomes a victim, let’s not wait for anyone to bring a change……This is our problem and we need to put on our every little effort that we can make, after all, “every small effort brings big changes”.

(Watch #Nepal's Stolen Children on CNN or Youtube)

                                                                                                            

                                                                                                          -Paulette Kelly  

“I Got Flowers Today…”  

I got flowers today. 
It wasn't my birthday or any other special day. 

We had our first argument last night, 
and he said a lot of cruel things that really hurt me. 
I know he is sorry and didn’t mean the things he said. 
Because he sent me flowers today. 

I got flowers today.
It wasn't our anniversary 
or any other special day. 

Last night, he threw me into a wall 
and started to choke me. 
It seemed like a nightmare. 
I couldn't believe it was real. 
I woke up this morning sore and bruised all over. 
I know he must be sorry. 
Because he sent me flowers today. 

I got flowers today, 
And it wasn't Mother's Day or any other special day. 
Last night, he beat me up again. 
And it was much worse than all the other times. 
If I leave him, what will I do? 
How will I take care of my kids? 
What about money? 
I'm afraid of him and scared to leave. 
But I know he must be sorry. 
Because he sent me flowers today. 

I got flowers today. 
Today was a very special day. 
It was the day of my funeral. 
Last night, he finally killed me. 
He beat me to death. 
If only I had gathered enough courage 
and strength to leave him, 
I would not have gotten flowers...today!

XOXO

Jo_tee

Happy New Year 2068 B.S (14th April 2011)

Last night, I was skype-ing with my best friend “Sanju” & I didn’t realize we video chatted till four in the morning (Nepali Time), but it was just 4 PM at her end (in Texas). The sleepless night made me feel drowsy & dizzy at work today.

We talked about our Uni days(all healthy gossips), classmates, families & my recent trips.  Those carefree days and the giggles! We didn’t feel for a second that we were actually in two different continents, in different time zones. Technology makes it easier to stay in touch wherever you are. 

The main topic of our discussion was “Jyoti! settle down now”. Every time we meet or talk online, she has to say, “It’s high time for you to select someone (yeah, she doesn’t say FIND) & settle down”. She has a strong reason (that she thinks)- “all our friends are married & have kids now. So you also have to think about it seriously”. As always, I try convincing her, “Though I appear to be with “the one who is kinda’ Mr. Right NOW”, but still, I’m waiting for my Mr. Right”. Lol.

She grew up with the concept that every girl should get married, and at the right age… (Nothing to do with finding the right person) whereas these stuff are secondary in my life. In exceptional circumstances, I might also be ready to compromise or make a commitment, but for me, my career & my freedom come first. I have still a long way to go. It’s just a beginning sweetie! :-)

Our best friend Roshni, who is also married by now & has a son, is almost lost these days. She comes in our contact like once in a blue moon. She appreciates my concept of living and what I am doing. We understand her situation; husband, kids, in-laws & job….but we miss her presence.

Inscribing about my gfs, my thoughts run decade back into the New Year Eve Celebration (Nepali New Year). We (Sanju, Roshni & I) had celebrated the Eve at Sanju’s place. The real party begun after her folks fell asleep. Every silly things we did were so funny, especially, calling one of our EX in the middle of the night to vent our anger to show him where he stands (sorry dude! whereva u are).

Tomorrow is our Nepali New Year Eve, Girls! I have ample reasons to reminisce our days. Wish you a very Happy and prosperous New Year 2068 (Baishak 2068 B.S) & all the happiness in your married life. I know both of you are proud of me & so am I. No doubt, you are great wives & loving moms.


No worries, I too will be on the league one day!! ;) ;)

Naya Barsha 2068 ko mangalmaya Subhakamana
(Nepali version of Happy New Year)

XOXO

Jo_tee

Survival of the fittest- In a wrong way!

It’s getting hard to me to cope with some of the issues which are going around. I don’t give a shit(sorry for my expression), but I really feel like suffocated and helpless at some point because I see everyone suffering ‘coz of it.

Though I was aware of the consequences I fought for justice; I raised my voice for everyone’s dignity, but in the race of “survival of the fittest”, I was constantly proven wrong and left behind. I make no apologies for that.

How can people be so selfish? How can they humiliate others just to prove them superior??...... And sometime I think why I am expecting them to be humans. Why I am letting them rule my mind while my own issues are paramount right now.

Morality, they define in a different way, that changes with their every effort to save their heads, statements they spoke are unspoken, exploitation they resort to when they feel their own jobs are at stake, responsibilities they explain in their own words of brutality; and this fight no longer becomes a battle of truth; not a war to prove how wrong they are, but a struggle to prove how true I am. And, my inner voice says, they don’t deserve a fight, so I have now backed off; chosen to remain silent…not because I am defeated or I am weak, but I don’t want others to suffer though this battle is not my alone. I am swimming against the tides of humanity and dignity.

I hate this bureaucracy. I abhor this favoritism, but I have faith that one day everyone has to pay for what they do.

Well, bringing dirty laundry in public is not my concept of blogging; I just wanted to express what I have on my mind now (Human Rights- RIGHT TO EXPRESS).  

Anyway, God bless their souls!!

XOXO

Jo_tee