The Freedom Fund 103d ago

In south-eastern Nepal, the International Labour Organization estimates that 97,000 adults and 13,000 children are in forced labour, through a system called Harawa-Charawa. Within these families, men work growing crops, and women, children, and the elderly work as cattle herders or as domestic servants. A large proportion of these households are from “Dalit” castes, traditionally considered “untouchables”. Most have no assets or land, so when they face financial emergencies their only option for a loan is from a landlord. Once a loan is taken, lenders expect families to provide labour to pay off the debt – often indefinitely. In another recent study, nearly a quarter of Harawa-Charawa respondents interviewed said that they worked 13-17 hours a day and nearly all families interviewed had experienced violence of various forms. If the families were to refuse to work, they would be likely to be expelled from their homes. In addition, bonded labour of these families feeds directly into child trafficking and unsafe adult migration. The Government of Nepal announced the liberation of the Harawa-Charawa on Monday 18 July 2022 - this was the first time the government declared Harawa-Charawa agricultural bonded labours free. It was a vital step towards affected groups having their debts cancelled and communities rehabilitated. The historic moment followed years of campaigning from organisations, including Harawa-Charawa networks, frontline organisations and leaders who have been supported by the Freedom Fund. The announcment was a huge move forward, but still only the first step in the journey to freedom.