KATHMANDU: Minister for Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities, and Social Security, Sita Badi, has underlined the need for collective participation and solidarity from all quarters to establish a safe, decent and just society which she argued will be free from human trafficking and illegal transportation of persons.
In her message on the 20th National Day against Trafficking in Persons-2026 on Saturday, Minister Badi urged the three-tier governments, security agencies, government and non-government organisations, civil society, media, development partners and general public to play a role from their respective sides to liberate the society from human trafficking.
This year’s National Day against Trafficking in Persons was observed under the theme of “Proper Use of Technology and Vigilance: Solidarity in Building a Nation Free of Human Trafficking’.
Stating that the forms and means of human trafficking and challenges for combating it are getting changed with the rapid development of information technology, the Minister echoed the need to ensure safe and accountable use of technology, increased public awareness and the strengthening of inter-agencies coordination to address the situation.
She added that the National Policy against Human Trafficking, 2082 BS is in force with specification of the roles and responsibilities of the three-tier governments.
A bill to amend the Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) Act, 2008 is under-consideration in the parliament and procedures are in progress for other necessary legal reforms, she added.
Displacement, insecurity, poverty and the lack of employment caused by disaster may push women, children and vulnerable communities to the high risk of human trafficking and transportation, according to the Minister who emphasized the need for authorities concerned to be more serious and active towards the prevention of such possibility.
Expressing her profound sorrow over the loss of lives and property by the Bhotekoshi flood that had occurred on August 26, the Minister extended her tribute to the deceased, heartfelt condolence to the grieving families and speedy recovery of the injured persons.
Describing human trafficking and transportation as a severe assault on human rights, freedom and individual’s dignity, Badi reminded the government has continued legal, policy and institutional reforms to control and prevent it, to rescue, protect and rehabilitate the survivors with their access to justice and economic empowerment.
Underlining the need for continued collaboration among the government, security agencies, civil societies, media, development partners and community to make a campaign against human trafficking and transportation further effective, she urged one and all to be part of this campaign.
