Combatting Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking in Nepal: A Geopolitical and Humanitarian Perspective

By Balananthini Balasubramaniam,

Coordinator Stop Human Trafficking Team CIC.

Nepal, a landlocked nation strategically situated between two global powers, China and India, faces a complex array of challenges that have rendered it one of the most vulnerable countries to human trafficking and modern slavery. Drawing upon the recent field observations shared by Dr Nicola Garrington during her visit, this article explores the critical work of Nepalese NGOs on the frontline and examines the wider geopolitical landscape that exacerbates these humanitarian concerns.

Frontline Efforts: NGO Collaboration to Protect Vulnerable Children

During her visit, Dr Garrington met with leaders from several key organisations dedicated to rescuing children and women from exploitation, including Child Rescue Nepal, Esther Benjamins Memorial Foundation, Shakti Samuha, and Chora Chori Nepal. These NGOs operate extensively across Nepal and India, combining survivor-led initiatives and grassroots mobilisation to combat trafficking networks.

A poignant example comes from a rural village school in Nepal’s countryside, supported by a poor farming community. The school has become a beacon of hope through local awareness programmes facilitated by NGOs. Here, community-driven education has significantly reduced cases of trafficking—a stark contrast to nearby areas where children frequently go missing.

Such success stories highlight the vital role of education, awareness, and community solidarity in breaking the cycle of exploitation. Yet, the struggle remains immense as poverty, family breakdown, violence, and addiction continue to foster vulnerability among children.

The Geopolitical Context: Historical and Contemporary Realities

Understanding Nepal’s human trafficking crisis requires a nuanced appreciation of its geopolitical and historical context. Nepal achieved formal recognition as a sovereign nation in 1923, earlier than India’s independence in 1947. This early recognition by the British Empire was influenced by the region’s strategic significance and the desire to maintain Nepal as a stable buffer state between British India and China.

Over the decades, Nepal has endured internal political upheavals and civil unrest, compounded by the competing interests of its neighbours. China, with its expanding global ambitions, has sought to increase its influence over Nepal, often capitalising on internal divisions to assert strategic footholds. Conversely, India has long maintained a vested interest in preserving Nepal’s cultural and political ties, viewing it as an essential part of the broader Sanatana Dharmic cultural sphere.

Western powers, meanwhile, have historically supported Nepal’s sovereignty to counterbalance China’s expansion and to safeguard regional stability. This complex interplay of external influences has created a geopolitical environment where Nepal’s internal development priorities are frequently overshadowed by larger strategic concerns.

Structural Challenges Exacerbating Vulnerability

Nepal’s geographical constraints further complicate efforts to address trafficking. Its landlocked status, combined with a poor road network and high export taxes, hampers economic growth and limits access to essential services. Rural communities suffer from inadequate education, healthcare, and communication infrastructure, factors that significantly heighten vulnerability to trafficking.

Agriculture remains the primary livelihood for 70% of Nepal’s population but is increasingly threatened by climate change and the country’s challenging topography. Economic diversification is limited, with the industrial sector contributing a minor share to the national GDP. Moreover, dependence on foreign aid, predominantly from India and China, leaves Nepal caught between competing geopolitical interests, complicating governance and development efforts.

Dr Garrington’s field experience illustrates these difficulties vividly: a journey of just 19 miles to a rural school took over two hours, with recent rains forcing part of the journey to be completed on foot. Such logistical barriers severely restrict community access to education and social services.

Recommendations for Sustainable Progress

To break the cycle of exploitation and foster sustainable development, Nepal requires substantial investment in education, infrastructure, and communication networks. A more progressive and autonomous government is needed—one that can reduce over-reliance on external aid, harness Nepal’s natural resources responsibly, and prioritise human development.

Equally important is the effective enforcement of existing anti-trafficking policies. While legislation exists, implementation remains inconsistent, undermining the country’s humanitarian and tourism sectors.

Collaboration among NGOs, government agencies, and international partners is paramount. Raising awareness at the community level, coupled with skill-based training and educational outreach, has demonstrated success in villages with high school attendance rates and reduced trafficking cases.

Conclusion

Nepal’s position between China and India places it at a geopolitical crossroads, influencing its internal dynamics and humanitarian challenges. The country’s vulnerability to human trafficking is the product of a complex web of historical, political, economic, and social factors.

Yet, as demonstrated by the dedicated work of NGOs and resilient communities, change is possible. By addressing structural deficiencies, investing in human capital, and fostering genuine collaboration, Nepal can realise its vast potential for a safer and more prosperous future.

Balananthini Balasubramaniam

Coordinator

Stop Trafficking Worldwide CIC.

16/05/2025

United Kingdom