Vanita* (29) comes from a low-income family in a remote village in Nepal with limited access to basic services like electricity, healthcare, and potable water. Growing up in a place like that could truly set up a person’s mind about what is “normal” and what isn’t.
When she was younger, her father passed away. And as an eldest daughter, she had the unspoken responsibility of carrying the brunt of their household’s responsibilities. She worked as a laborer to support her family while her sibling helped with household chores. Due to the absence of a father’s protection, Vanita experienced harassment and inappropriate advances from the men in her community. Living with that every day, she thought it was “normal” to experience. She later developed a romantic relationship with a man she met at work, whom she later married and lived with.
The marriage initially went well, as most marriages do. But after a few years, her husband started neglecting not only her, but their children as well. He engaged in infidelity and would physically abuse her and insult her family. Vanita had been enduring too much for her children; she began having suicidal thoughts. Feeling like she had nowhere to go, she would accept any job opportunity that came her way just to save her from her already dreadful situation.
One day, a distant relative persuaded her to seek employment in India, suggesting that she could later secure a lucrative domestic job in Oman. Tempted, Vanita traveled to Sunauli with him, staying at a hotel for two days. On the third day, they attempted to cross into India. When our staff spotted her during our routine inquiry and counseling session—her body language showed signs of vulnerability. It was later revealed that the relative intended to illegally transport her across borders—one of the biggest signs of human trafficking.
The relative did not go unpunished and was detained as further investigation ensued. As for Vanita, we arranged her accommodation at our safe home to recuperate and discuss future steps to get her back on her feet.
*Name changed for privacy.
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