Sending young girls to work as domestic servants, known as Kamalaris, is a common practice and long-lived tradition in the ethnic Tharu community in the South-West of Nepal. The girls are sent to work because of economic hardship. Often the families sending their daughters are severely indebted or can’t pay their rent. Girls as young as 5 work for landlords or wealthy, higher-caste families. Kamalaris are forced to work long hours under stressful conditions for only a small amount of money (usually 20–30 euros a year) paid directly to their fathers. While in bonded labor, they are often denied access to basic rights such as education and an adequate standard of living. Many Kamalaris face verbal and physical abuse and sexual harassment. In 2006, The Supreme Court of Nepal affirmed that the Kamalari practice is illegal. However, it continues to exist. After the year 2000 more than 12 000 girls were sold as Kamalaris of which more than 11 000 have been rescued. "My father was badly indebted, and sold me as a kamalari-slave when I was 13 years old. I cried and I felt rejected, but I do not want to blame my parents. I did not see my family for three years. In the new upper caste family my job was to do all the household and field work. It was an incredibly happy moment, when I was freed and I got home. Now that I am free, I receive love and I can once again dream. As a kamalari I could only dream of becoming free. I fight for the cause that no girl would have to be a slave like I have been. I would like to eradicate kamalari-slavery in Nepal. Parents need to understand how slave labor steals the childhood of their daughters." Anita Chaudhary, 18, Nepal Former Kamalari slave and present human rights activist
Bonded Dream
Bonded Dream
Sending young girls to work as domestic servants, known as Kamalaris, is a common practice and long-lived tradition in the ethnic Tharu community in the South-West of Nepal. The girls are sent to work because of economic hardship. Often the families sending their daughters are severely indebted or can’t pay their rent. Girls as young as 5 work for landlords or wealthy, higher-caste families. Kamalaris are forced to work long hours under stressful conditions for only a small amount of money (usually 20–30 euros a year) paid directly to their fathers. While in bonded labor, they are often denied access to basic rights such as education and an adequate standard of living. Many Kamalaris face verbal and physical abuse and sexual harassment. In 2006, The Supreme Court of Nepal affirmed that the Kamalari practice is illegal. However, it continues to exist. After the year 2000 more than 12 000 girls were sold as Kamalaris of which more than 11 000 have been rescued. "My father was badly indebted, and sold me as a kamalari-slave when I was 13 years old. I cried and I felt rejected, but I do not want to blame my parents. I did not see my family for three years. In the new upper caste family my job was to do all the household and field work. It was an incredibly happy moment, when I was freed and I got home. Now that I am free, I receive love and I can once again dream. As a kamalari I could only dream of becoming free. I fight for the cause that no girl would have to be a slave like I have been. I would like to eradicate kamalari-slavery in Nepal. Parents need to understand how slave labor steals the childhood of their daughters." Anita Chaudhary, 18, Nepal Former Kamalari slave and present human rights activist