Anuradha Koirala: Awarding for what she deserves

As she enters the housing compound of Maiti Nepal at Pingalasthan of Gaushala in Kathmandu, Tshering – a boy who literally grew up in the premises after his parents abandoned him – runs and hugs Anuradha Koirala. To her, everybody living in the compound is her daughter and son.

For what she has done under dire circumstances at such times when women were just not significant in the society, Koirala has proven that with love, care and enthusiasm, everything is possible.[break]

Founder and the Chairperson of Maiti Nepal, a non-governmental organization (NGO) working for women and children, and established in 1993, Koirala has not only come a long way up the rigorous lane, encrusted with barbs, but has made a family out of people who had long lost hope and interest in their lives.

Explaining how she started Maiti Nepal, Koirala said, “I was a teacher then. When we started Maiti Nepal, our first job was to go outside the capital and raise awareness of trafficking and other problems among the many affected villages, and that’s exactly what we did.”

A team led by her, which consisted of journalists, police officers, college students, lawyers, doctors and nurses, visited 220 villages, and that was how Maiti Nepal came into operation. What she did was opposite of what the mushrooming I/NGOs in the post-1990 Democracy Spring were doing in Kathmandu – acknowledging the rampant social problems in the countryside, true, but serenading them at sumptuous seminars and caucuses held at five-star properties.

“When I met women who were victims of domestic violence, for instance, I asked them to start nanglo pasals (bamboo tray vending) and they were more than happy to do so,” recalled Koirala, who is addressed as “Dijju” (respected elder sister) by all at Maiti Nepal. She furthered, “I helped them financially with what little resources I had at that time.”

The NGO, which Koirala initially funded to her best, began with nine women. Currently, the shelter looks after 150 formerly trafficked girls and 475 children, most of whom were affected by the decade-long conflict of Nepal. Maiti Nepal, which literally means a mother’s home in Nepali, is now funded by various organizations, including UNFPA, UNDP, ECPAT International, and Save the Children, among others.

The Maiti Nepal premise now boasts a school, a clinic, a women’s rehabilitation center, a child protection center, and an administrative building in the same compound.

For Koirala, her job is the most important thing. And for her tremendous enthusiasm and hardship, she has been selected as one of the top 10 finalists of CNN Heroes 2010 citations.

The CNN Heroes clarion call started in 2007, and every year, out of the 10,000 independent nominations made globally, CNN selects 25 of them as Global Heroes. Out of the 25, 10 are selected again by an independent panel of judges who are not associated with CNN.

If won, “It [the CNN Award] only means more responsibilities for me and Maiti Nepal.”

The Week: What was your reaction when you were nominated for the CNN Heroes Awards 2010?

Anuradha Koirala: When I knew I was nominated, I was excited. I thought there were people who recognized our work. But when I was selected for the Top 10 Heroes, I realized that I had more responsibilities to make our society a trafficking-free society.

How did you react when they credited you as an inspiration to many people?

I was very happy with the fact that people around the world are sensitive to and supportive of ending human trafficking. I considered this recognition as one of the intermediate achievements that has a great scope to strengthen the work against human trafficking by generating more support and awareness. However, it’s sad to say that our own political leaders and authorities who have the responsibility to protect and promote the rights of people against exploitation seem to be least concerned about these issues.

Your fight for women- and children-related issues and human trafficking is highly credible and immense. How would you describe yourself, now that people look up to you as a public figure?

There are several issues that affect the lives of children and women in Nepal. Human trafficking is a complex issue that is a result as well as a causative factor of other social issues. People know me as a social activist who has particularly focused on addressing the issues related to human trafficking. Hence, I’m happy to describe myself in the same way that people know me for. I’m a change agent who may have less power, much lesser resources but the highest level of motivation and energy for change.

You’ve been nominated in the category “Protecting the Powerless” in the CNN Heroes Awards 2010. How would you justify your nomination in the Top 10?

I represent the campaign against human trafficking. The work I’ve been doing through Maiti Nepal addresses a crime that’s an issue of international concern. Being selected among the CNN Top 10 Heroes isn’t just the recognition of my work, it’s more of an action that’s ultimately going to strengthen the campaign against human trafficking.

This recognition won’t benefit me as an individual but the campaign against human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children and women. We have already witnessed increased level of awareness regarding the issue among people inside and outside Nepal who have heard/read about the CNN Heroes Award. And if I do win, it only means more responsibility for me and Maiti Nepal.

The voting has begun, and will end on November 18, 2010. One can vote as many times as possible. To vote, follow the simple procedure below:
1. Log onto www.cnnheroes.com and click on “Vote now.”
2. Click on “Anuradha Koirala” and fill out the authentication code (Captcha)
3. Click on “vote” and you’re done!