As a child, Pema was trafficked to a brothel in India. Now she patrols the border to spot other potential victims in the crowds
It is midday in Bhairchawa, one of the 23 official border checkpoints between Nepal and India. Each day, up to 100,000 people cross under the stone arch separating the two countries. Some are on foot, others in trucks or on bikes, mopeds and rickshaws. Amid the chaos – the people, the dust, the noise of traffic and honking of horns – are the guardians: women who, having survived the horrors of human trafficking, now spend every day trying to spot potential victims and their exploiters among the crowds.
One of the women on duty today is Pema. While we talk, her eyes remain fixed on the crowds, scanning the throngs of people moving slowly across the checkpoint.
My boyfriend sold one of my kidneys and then he sold me
Written by Ofelia de Pablo and Javier Zurita
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/feb/08/the-girl-sold-at-11-helps-police-save-nepal-trafficking-victims under the title “
“. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
