Combating human trafficking in Nepal

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The initial year of my work as the Senior Technical Adviser to the National Committee for Controlling Human Trafficking (NCCHT), under Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare (MoWCSW), involved understanding the nature of problems, reviewing organizational structure and capacity, some planning and proposing. The second half of the period was more on key policy and system building, program outlining and resources planning for the implementation of National Plan of Action (NPA).  The process of institutionalization of NCCHT is afoot; albeit slow in pace. The Asia Foundation's Combating Traffic in Person (CTIP) program has agreed to support the annual program of NCCHT. This will consolidate the efforts to establish and develop the capacity of the institution in days to come.
My learning in relation to countering human trafficking during these two years was very much exciting, illuminating and challenging. Following are some of the key issues related to this problem in our context:
1. The pattern of human trafficking is ever changing in terms of its cause, purpose, selection of victims, destination, proportions and trends of criminal activities, dimension of crime and modus operandi. These paradigms have increased challenges to combating front.
2. Gender based attitude and mindset are the source of other violence against women—including trafficking. Therefore controlling human trafficking requires a holistic approach to gender based violence; focus on human trafficking in isolation would not be effective. Strong leadership, expanded partnership, concerted and deeply entrenched programs would produce substantive results.
3. Implementation of policies related to control these crimes often does not get priority in the government system. The rules of responsibility and accountability are not strictly followed. I feel NCCHT is under resourced and under utilized for various reasons including these.
4. Lack of coherent cooperation and coordination between state machinery is a major problem. It might warrant several structural renovations and capacity building of agencies in the current setting.
5. Human trafficking is one of several organized crimes. The control of organized crimes is all time a challenge in the country. There are some domestic legislative obstacles to overcome the complexity of organized crimes.
6. The detection, investigation and prosecution of organized crimes are difficult. It warrants more effective and efficient operational system improvement at domestic and cooperation at international level. The capacity of police is also needed to be enhanced.
7. Protection and reintegration of survivors in the society is still not orchestrated. The survivors/victims still suffer from social indictment. An attitudinal shift of society can only bring substantial change in this sector.
8. Social mobilization towards safer societies is essential to control all forms of gender based violence. There is need for paradigm shift in the attitudes and behavior of the society towards survivors/victims.
9. Community empowerment is basic need for effective implementation of policies. There is need for mobilizing existing community networks at grass root level for these purposes.
10. It has a political solution. The political commitment and leadership to it is important.