We celebrate Shakti Samuha from Nepal

2013 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees. (Left to right) Laxmi Puri and Sunita Danuwar representing Shakti Samuha (Nepal), Gov. Habiba Sarabi (Afghanistan), Lahpai Seng Raw (Myanmar), Adnan Pandu Praja and Abraham Samad representing Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi (Indonesia), and Dr. Ernesto Domingo (Philippines).

Three individuals and two organizations who share the virtue of selflessness in working for their people’s welfare will receive the 2013 Ramon Magsaysay Awards in a formal presentation ceremony at the CCP Main Theater on August 31, 2013.

This year’s awardees come from diverse cultures and regions—Lahpai Seng Raw from Myanmar, Habiba Sarabi from Afghanistan, Ernesto Domingo from the Philippines, Shakti Samuha from Nepal, and the Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi (KPK) or Corruption Eradication Commission from Indonesia.

Hon. Maria Lourdes Sereno, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, will be the guest of honor during the presentation ceremony. She will lead the conferment of the Award certificates and medallions to the five awardees. A video presentation commemorating the 55th Anniversary of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation will usher in the proceedings which will start promptly at 4:30 in the afternoon.

The Magsaysay Awardees had a full schedule of activities prior to the Awards. They delivered public lectures from August 28 to 30 and met with NGOs, academic institutions, development organizations, and local government executives. This allowed the awardees to share with a wide and diverse audience the remarkable work they are doing.

Following tradition, they went to the North Cemetery early in the morning of August 31 for a wreath-laying ceremony at the tomb of President Ramon Magsaysay, whose life and leadership inspired the creation of the Award, now regarded as Asia’s premier prize and the region’s highest honor.

The Magsaysay Award was established in 1957 to honor the spirit of greatness and selfless leadership manifested in the extraordinary lives and work of the laureates— individuals and organizations who are dubbed as Asia’s heroes of change.

About Us

Background

Shakti Samuha is the first organization in Nepal to be established and run by survivors of trafficking.

In 1996, 500 girls and women were rescued from slavery in Indian brothels during widespread police raids. Among these were 148 Nepalese girls and women. These women were then locked away in remand homes in India, where conditions were as bad as – if not worse – than prison. The Nepalese government was reluctant to bring the women back to Nepal, claiming they would bring HIV into the country with them. In the absence of Government support, several NGOs took the lead in returning and rehabilitating the girls.

Sadly, even in these rehabilitation centers, the women’s treatment did not help to restore their self-esteem and basic human rights. It was only after months had passed and the women were given training in their rights, that they realized they were not to blame for being trafficked. The women felt it was time to claim their rights so they set up Shakti Samuha.

Shakti Samuha began in 1996 and was registered in the Kathmandu District Office of HMG in 2000. Since 1996 we have been organizing and empowering returning trafficking survivors by providing shelter, legal aid, vocational training and counseling. We have also set up Adolescent Girls Groups based in the poorest communities in order to pass on the message about the dangers of trafficking. Now we are reaching out to rural districts where trafficking is prevalent, helping to keep women safe and make a united stand against the traffickers.

Vision
Trafficking survivors will be empowered to lead a dignified life in society.

Mission
Trafficking survivors and women and children at risk of trafficking will be organized, empowered and aware, which will enable them to contribute to campaigns against human trafficking, protecting women and girls living in vulnerable conditions.

Goal
The goal of Shakti Samuha is to establish a progressive society, devoid of trafficking and other kinds of violence against women.

Values

• Trafficking survivors should have the same rights and freedoms as any other member of society.
• Trafficking survivors should lead the movement against trafficking, ensuring their own rights and those of others.
• No member of Shakti Samuha shall be discriminated against in their service to the organization.

Objectives
Shakti Samuha has the following objectives:

• To establish income generating and skills based programs that create a sustainable livelihood for trafficking survivors

• To advocate and lobby for necessary changes to the law
• To organize meetings and campaigns to raise awareness and minimize the risk of trafficking
• To establish safe house and emergency support for the rehabilitation and reintegration of trafficking survivors
• To manage and update data on trafficking survivors
• To assist trafficking survivors with legal, employment and counseling services.
• To coordinate with local, national and international organizations.
• To protect vulnerable girls and women from trafficking
• To organize the development of staff-members for effective program implementation.

Program Themes

• Repatriation, rehabilitation & reintegration
• Training & employment support
• Income generation & skill development
• Awareness raising program
• Organizational development program
• Educational Program
• Legal support & advocacy

Target groups

• Female trafficking survivors
• Girls who are at risk of trafficking
• Girls and women who are working in cabin restaurants, massage parlors and dance bars

Network

• Global Alliance Against the Trafficking of Women
• Alliance Against Trafficking in Women and Children in Nepal
• NGO Federation Nepal
• International Organization for Migration

Programs

Safe shelter home for trafficking survivors (Shakti Kendra)

Objectives To rehabilitate child and woman trafficking survivors. To empower them and make them capable to live independently and with dignity through training and job. To improve the protection, quality of care and community integration of trafficked children and women in India and Nepal. To enhance professional protection, care and integration services. To help to build shelter home for …Read More

Emergency shelter for street/working and young children (SWCYP) in Pokhara

Objectives: To establish a positive relationship with and provide outreach services for girls and young women working in the entertainment/commercial sex sector. To provide risk reduction services and increase the awareness of girls and young women at risk and those working in the entertainment/commercial sex sector. To protect and ‘rescue’ girls and young women a …Read More

Reaching out, protecting & reintegrating girls and young women at risk

Objectives: To establish a positive relationship with and provide outreach services for girls and young women working in the entertainment/commercial sex sector. To provide risk reduction services and increase the awareness of girls and young women at risk and those working in the entertainment/commercial sex sector. To protect and ‘rescue’ girls and young women at risk and/or working in the ente …Read More

Anti slavery program for the women & girls working in cabin restaurant, massage parlor & dance bar

Geographical Areas: Sinamangal, Purano Baneshwor and Gaushala of Kathmandu valley Support and facilitate the women/girls working in cabin restaurant and massage parlor for Starting in alternative work with better livelihood and security Working in same places with respect and confidence Making awareness and creating better environment to the newcomer …Read More

Empowerment of women against domestic violence

Objectives: Increase women literacy rate. Provide the community with the knowledge on important issues such as human trafficking, safe migration, domestic violence, early marriage, women rights, child rights, reproductive health rights etc. Create solidarity between different cultural groups. Activities Literacy class in basic level and Advance level were …Read More

Post trafficking livelihoods in Nepal

Aims: Investigate the opportunities for livelihoods of choice for trafficked women on their return. Examine the intersections of sexuality, gender and citizenship in returnee’s livelihood strategies as new democratic processes, supported by national and transnational communities, are unfolding. The major aim of this project is to investigate the opportunities for livelihoods o …Read More