Samrakshak Samuha Nepal ( SASANE)

SASANE is a non-profit organization led by human trafficking survivors that believes on individual inherent potentiality of women and girls especially from the rural areas who are the survivors of human trafficking and also fall under high vulnerability of human trafficking as well as all other forms of violence. From the date of its establishment, we have been actively working for preventing, protecting, prosecuting and partnering with all required entities so that the deep-rooted social issues can be addressed leading to a world where everyone is treated equal.

With the shared similarities of working in issues of uplifting traditionally marginalized people and addressing people’s need and issues and building awareness especially legal among women is what favors us for applying in the Elevate Prize. Since we have been providing several awareness and education program to the rural people especially women and children, have various initiatives in tourism and hospitality sector, we’ll be utilizing the Elevate Prize funding in the above stated activities. Since we’ve been hit hard by the COVID pandemic, the fund will be utilized to carry out our activities and be equally distributed with proper analysis and budget planning. 

Nepal though has shifted from underdeveloped to developing country, still lacks behind in terms of gender equality and till today women and girls have to go through heinous crimes. Open borders with neighboring country India thus have made things worse. “35,000 are “sold” every year for human trafficking to engage in difficult and danger foreign employments, adult entertainment and child labor activities, added a recent [National Human Rights Commission] NHRC report on the situation of human rights in Nepal.”

Therefore, SASANE started with a mission to eliminate human trafficking, restore female rights, and put a joint effort in promoting social, educational, economic development of Nepalese women and girls. We also work for inclusion of women rights in the legal system, eradicating discrimination against women, advancing women’s capacity and leadership skills, and amplifying their voices for peace and security. We believe in the principles of equity, meaningful change and power sharing.

A survivor led organization, SASANE has impacted on the lives of thousands of women and intends to further create an environment where every individual can explore their potentialities without any judgements. 

Globally 40.3 million people have been victims of human trafficking out of which 71% comprises of women. Every day at least 54 Nepali girls and women are trafficked into India. The latest report on Trafficking in Persons from Nepal’s Human Rights Commission estimates that around 35,000 people, including 15,000 women and 5,000 girls, were victims of this crime in 2018.  These numbers are the result of extreme poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, discrimination based on gender, caste, color, sexual orientation and more. With no education and employment opportunities, it is very difficult for rural people to sustain their livelihood which is the reason why they are easily manipulated by the perpetrators in hope of better future. 

 To eliminate human trafficking and other forms of violence, it is very important grassroot issues and the causes relating to occurrence of problem should be addressed. Therefore, with this aim, our organization has been providing legal literacy and awareness, sponsoring girls till their higher studies, tourism and hospitality training to the women trafficking survivors as well those who are vulnerable so that they are empowered, be rational enough to take their own life decisions and lastly able to live an independent life with respect and self-esteem.

Our organization revolves around the notion of empowerment, employment and reintegration of human trafficking survivors by making them competent in the field of paralegals, tourism and hospitality sectors. Our unique approach of working with and for the victims of human trafficking and those vulnerable to all forms of violence has helped us make a mark nationally and internationally. We are a survivor led organization that intents on breaking the stereotypical gender roles and making women and girls capable of sustaining their livelihood with earned self-respect and dignity. We aim to mobilize and increase competency leading to independency of trafficking survivors so that they don’t have to suffer from stigmatization and shame that hinders their overall development.

Our approach of Asset based community development mobilizes every possible aspects of community through which rural development is achieved.  For eliminating all forms of violence, we have been implementing the 4P’s (Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, Partnerships) fundamental international framework used by the United States and the world to combat contemporary forms of slavery. Following these approaches, our activities and programs has been unique and disruptive.

Humanity is a shared belief which revolves around the notion of compassionate and kindness. Putting oneself in another’s shoes is what our organization does best. A person who has suffered and experienced a certain event or tragedy is the one who truly knows what it actually feels like to go through it. Acknowledging this belief, our survivor led organization knows what best suits for our beneficiaries. It is very important to know roots of the problems and what leads to its existence till date and what are the possible ways to address those issues.

To achieve our planned impact, we work with the notion of “by the people, for the people and with the people” approach. It is only possible to impact more in the lives of the people if we know through and work with the people themselves about the issues and needs that should be addressed. Our organization is constantly working in order to achieve Sustainable Development Goals that assures that no one shall go through any prejudices and everyone has access to basic rights.