Project Summary:  

In Nepal, 234,600 people are victims of Modern Day Slavery (MDS/trafficking), with poverty a root cause. CLAMP supports the eradication of forced labor, ending modern slavery and human trafficking; overcoming its physical & emotional trauma (SDG 8.7). Focused in 2 high-risk districts of Sindhupalchowk and Nuwakot, it will enable the socio-economic empowerment (SDG 1.1) & protection of slavery survivors, vulnerable adolescents & women, reducing the vulnerability of potential victims & enhancing survivors’ capacities to rebuild their future. It will create better access to education, skills & economic empowerment. Advocacy, led by Youth Change Agents, will unite Govt. & civil society to build strong protection mechanisms, influencing power structures to bring needs-based policy change. 25.2% of Nepalis live below the poverty line (HDI:145). Political instability and the 2015 earthquakes devastated Nepal, restricting economic growth, throwing a million people into extreme poverty. In Sindhupalchowk district 90% of houses & 557 Govt schools were destroyed, with 3,532 casualties, and similar devastation in Nuwakot district. MDS increased with a 15% spike in human trafficking. Nepal is an MDS source, transit & destination country rating 13th on the Global Slavery Index. 2014-16 Sindhupalchowk police records report 66 women & 37 girls missing & 183 missing (2013-16) in Nuwakot, the majority go unreported. A recent government order to form Committees for Combating Human Trafficking at all Government levels is a huge opportunity.

Project Strategy:

The aim of the project is to strengthen community and government mechanisms to tackle MDS,

enabling them to lead the action long-term. Capacity building is an essential part of the strategy.

Empowering youth as change agents is also an important aspect, cutting across all four strategic

approaches.

1.      Prevent Poor levels of education and economic capacity increase vulnerability to MDS.

These two key areas are targeted as prevention strategies. CLAMP will raise community awareness on the importance of education (including for children with disabilities) and the issues of MDS, it will conduct school orientations, train teachers and sensitize school management committees. It will work with education department officials to ensure dropout rates are reduced and retention is maintained. Capacity building of existing CBOs will be another strategic step. These will play a key role in monitoring and tracking dropouts along with promoting re-enrolment and retention of vulnerable children. For strengthening livelihoods, two groups will be targeted – the most vulnerable adolescents/youth or their families. They will be provided with skills opportunities, training, handholding and resources, along with facilitation for linkages with the market, employers and government programmes to ensure that initiatives are productive enough to overcome poverty.

 2. Protection: Community based protection mechanisms have proven to be an effective strategy for protecting the vulnerable from MDS. CLAMP will form/reform and strengthen Local Committees to Combat Human Trafficking (LCCHT) in coordination with the government. It will also the build capacity of existing CBOs to implement CBPM (Community Based Child Protection Mechanism/system) in coordination with LCCHT, facilitating the development of protection plans and strengthening district level protection system. Youth will be promoted to become an integral part of various CBPM.

3. Preparing the victims for social reintegration: CLAMP, in partnership with the GoN, will provide immediate shelter support along with other recovery cum rehabilitation services (inc. psychological, social, skill development and legal support) for survivors. It will also provide individual and family counseling for reintegration and support for livelihood activities working towards self-reliance. Survivors will be supported to access the existing government facilities and provisions.

4.Influencing Policies and implementation: CLAMP will promote YCAs (Youth Change Agents – 180) in both districts and build their advocacy capacities. It will build the knowledge and skills of government officials and other stakeholders on effective policies and systems for combating MDS. It will also provide needs-based coordination, capacity building and facilitation for key stakeholders, enabling them to put forth concerns to duty bearers. Youth & survivors will work together to lead advocacy efforts, utilizing the media as a tool for influencing policy. CLAMP will also work with the GoN to establish tracking mechanisms of foreign migration.

Partners (2018-21) – DFID UK, ChildHope UK, and VOC Nepal)