Laxmi* (19) strongly felt against gender discrimination at an early age. She grew up in a poor family that could only afford to send her to school up until 8th grade. When she was just two years old, her father left for Malaysia and has never returned or been heard from since. Was he trafficked? Started a new family elsewhere? Or simply just ran away from responsibilities—she, her sister, and her mother didn’t know. All they knew was that he might never return.
In Nepal, having a son means winning. To them, that meant financial abundance because sons are expected to look for work and later provide for their families. Since only Laxmi and her sister were their mother’s children, they felt guilt in being born in the “wrong” gender. Since this consciousness formed in Laxmi’s mind, she was determined to work and earn like a son. Not only did they feel sorry for being born female, but they also felt sorry for their mother, who looked like she “failed” at giving birth. Part of Laxmi’s dream is to change the impression that people have about their mother. All this rage and hurt turned into fuel to do more, no matter what happens.
When she sought employment, a relative from her village invited her to Kathmandu for work. She thought that was it—the opportunity she waited for so long. She moved there immediately, but what used to be a roaring desire to earn just turned into disappointment. The job she was recruited for was a ruse, and she was left in the city struggling to find another job. In some instances, she was even subjected to sexual harassment under the pretense of legitimate job offers. Even after abuse, some employers refused to pay her wages.
Frustrated, she thought she might be looking in the wrong pond. She moved to India to look for another job, hopefully a better-paying one. She went on a whim without informing her family. While travelling, we spotted her and stopped her for questioning. She admitted that she did not know anyone and was unaware of what job she would be doing, but is heavily determined to shoot her shot. We informed her about how going there could very likely harm her more than help her, especially if she had been harassed and exploited just in Kathmandu. When her family was contacted, her mother stated that she believed Laxmi was still in Kathmandu and requested that authorities prevent her from going to India.
After the interception, she was counseled about human trafficking and illegal transportation risks. For two days, she was provided a safe shelter at a temporary home. There, she realized that the world is built differently for women. Her desire to earn “like a son” is understandable—even admirable…but the world she lives in will constantly take advantage of girls like her who are eager to prove themselves to the world. In the meantime, she will be seeking local jobs to keep herself safe while looking after her mother, too.
*Name changed for privacy.
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