REINTEGRATION AND REHABILITATION OF SEX TRAFFICKED NEPALESE WOMEN: A STUDY OF THEIR EXPERIENCES ON RETURN AND PROGRAM ACTIVITIES OF A REHABILITATION NGO.

The trafficking of women from poor, developing countries to other countries for the purpose of sexual trade is a global problem which is associated with immeasurable human suffering and tragedy. Not only does sex trafficking cause intolerable degradation and suffering to young girls and women, it is associated with significant mental and physical health risks, such as depression and HIV/AIDS. The aims at increasing our understanding of the context of sex trafficking and to describe program activities of Maiti Nepal, a non-governmental organization, in Kathmandu, Nepal to reintegrate repatriated or returned sex trafficked women, to describe the impact of these activities on the lives of the repatriated women. The methodology consisted primarily of in-depth interviews with returned women undergoing rehabilitation at Maiti Nepal, supplemented by focus group discussions with returned women and Maiti Nepal staff. Responses from the participants overwhelmingly indicated that Maiti Nepal?s program activities had been instrumental in increasing their self-confidence, bringing about healing of their deep emotional trauma, and their eventual rehabilitation as functioning and productive citizens. This preliminary study was largely exploratory and small-scale, and there is a need for long-term follow-up of repatriated sex trafficked survivors to more accurately assess the impact and evaluate appropriateness of each program activity such as individual counseling, family counseling, skill training etc. and to develop better strategies. Long-term follow-up is also required to assess impact of care and support. The findings of this study should be useful to the government to formulate more effective policies and programs.