Livelihoods of Post Trafficked Women in Nepal
Lead Academics: Professor Nina Laurie, Professor Diane Richardson, Dr Janet Townsend and Dr Meena Poudel; School of Geography, Politics and Sociology
Background to the project
This research focuses on the livelihoods of women in Nepal who have been trafficked. Nepal faces a large problem of trafficking of women. This research centres upon the post trafficking experiences of women and how their lives develop. Data was gathered from the women themselves and illustrated how post trafficked women may be stigmatised and discriminated against (including through lack of access to citizenship and ensuing rights).
By bringing sexuality and citizenship into dialogue with debates on livelihoods this project is helping to generate a way of understanding the relationship between sexuality, gender and development. The research goes beyond the immediate 'rescue' of returnee trafficked women and combines a focus on livelihoods with the need to address the issues related to their right to citizenship.
The Advisory Group on the project play a key role in disseminating the research to relevant audiences. The project has disseminated its findings at conferences, meetings with relevant ministers and through the Nepalese press.
How has the project made a difference?
Researchers from Newcastle University are working with policy makers locally and internationally to ensure that project findings feed into current citizenship debates and anti-trafficking strategies in Nepal and the wider South Asia region. This research is being undertaken with project partners Shakti Samuha, an anti-trafficking non- governmental organisation (NGO) run by returnee trafficked women.
Contribution to policy development
The research team provided advisory information to the government of Nepal on the National Action Plan to combat trafficking and the Chair of the Nepali Fundamental Rights Committee used case study examples of returnee trafficked women’s exclusion from existing and proposed citizenship rules, which were then presented to the Nepali constitution drafting committee. The research team have also provided conceptual input to a new large Department for International Development (DfID) anti-trafficking regional project collaborating with the DfID representative on the project’s Advisory Panel. In particular, they reviewed the Department for International Development Terms of Reference for its new anti-trafficking regional programme and served on the appointment panel for its monitoring and evaluation team, influencing the programme’s focus on returnee trafficked women’s rights to livelihoods.
Deepening wider understanding of trafficked women
The research team have developed the knowledge base both within Nepal (within Shakti Samuha) and beyond. They have done this through presentations to decision makers in the research, campaigns and gender departments of Oxfam GB; and briefings to European Union Members of parliament on the research findings and the implications of Nepal’s new constitution for returnee trafficked women’s citizenship rights.
Ramon Magsaysay Award - Shakti Samuha
In August 2013 Shakti Samuha received Asia's prestigious Magsaysay award. Established in 1957, the Ramon Magsaysay award is Asia's highest honour and is widely regarded as the region's equivalent of the Nobel Peace Prize. Recipients are hailed as "Asia's heroes of change" and are awarded to "honour the spirit of greatness and selfless leadership". The Board said of the decision to award Shakti Samuha: ‘In electing Shakti Samuha to receive the 2013 Ramon Magsaysay Award, the board of trustees recognizes its founders and members for transforming their lives in service to other human trafficking survivors, for their passionate dedication towards rooting out a pernicious social evil in Nepal, and the radiant example they have shown the world in reclaiming the human dignity that is the birthright of all abused women and children everywhere.’
For more information on this research please visit the project website or the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology.
Also, see what 'Social Renewal' means to Professor Laurie and other staff, students and graduates.