Kathmandu (AsiaNews) – A project to combat human trafficking was presented to young people by Caritas Nepal on October 27th last, following the Saturday evening vigil.  Father Shilas Bogati, Director of the local Caritas, urged the young people to be “vigilant” against this “inhuman activity”.

Rupa Rai of Caritas Nepal explained;”this is a frightening issue since victims` own father, sister, mother, brother are involved in trafficking”. This is why “all religious groups at every level need to help launch awareness campaigns”.  This issue along with women’s empowerment will be on the agenda of the upcoming Bishops Conference Assembly in February.

Expert Laxmi Pokharel pointed out “the root cause of increasing human trafficking is poverty. Many innocent male and female both are exploited in the name of job, inside and outside the country”. Among the causes for the exploitation she outlined “the Hindu belief that if a girl is married before menstruation she will ascend to heaven”: to stop this practise she said a law obliging the public registration of marriages is needed.

The 40 young people present at the encounters expressed their appreciation for the initiative, “it’s useful for all young people not just Catholics”, observed university graduate, Robin Shrestha.

Caritas Nepal has been fighting against social evils in the country since 1992, above all through youth education and rehabilitation.