Maiti Nepal was awarded the International Children's Award in recognition of its nine year long struggle to end trafficking of Nepali women and children. This award had a special significance as its announcement coincided with Maiti Nepal's 9th Anniversary. Her Majesty, Queen Sylvia of Sweden presented the award in Stockholm on April 15, 2002.

Mrs. Anuradha Koirala, Chairperson Maiti Nepal, Mr. Biswo Ram Khadka, General Secretary Maiti Nepal, and three girls from Maiti Nepal were in Stockholm, Sweden to receive the award. The citation of the award honored Maiti Nepal for its exemplary work in the field of children's right, welfare and protection and its courageous fight against trafficking of girls and children.

The judges, a group of 16 children, presented the award jointly to Maiti Nepal and Nkosi Johnson. The award, established by the International Children's Organization of Sweden, carries a purse of US$ 50,000. Out of 900 social organizations from 90 countries, three organizations, including Maiti Nepal, had been nominated for the award.

Maiti Nepal has also received "The Global Friend Award" along with the International Children's Award. In future, a boy or a girl from Maiti Nepal will represent Maiti Nepal as a jury member of the International Children's Award. As part of its continuing crusade against the trafficking of Nepali girls and women, Maiti Nepal has been able to rescue and repatriate to Nepal more than 400 girls and women enticed by pimps and sold to brothels in various cities of India.

Maiti Nepal has been conducting social awareness campaigns against girl trafficking from the community level to the national level. These campaigns include discussions, interaction, and workshops. These campaigns have been effective in seeking public support, creating social pressure and advocacy against girl trafficking. Maiti Nepal has also been conducting awareness and income-generating skill training programs for girls at high risk of being trafficked.

Maiti Nepal has established transit homes at the main entry points along the Nepal-India border to intercept girls who are being trafficked before they enter India and return them safely to their homes. Maiti Nepal has also been conducting a border monitoring campaign at the main entry points. Until now, with the assistance of the local police and community, about 1,000 girls and women have been intercepted at various entry points before they could be lured into India. These girls have received counseling at the Maiti Nepal Transit Homes, and most have been safely returned to their homes.

In the past years, Maiti Nepal has initiated 160 lawsuits in various courts involving nearly 400 traffickers. And from among these, Maiti Nepal, with the cooperation of the police and conscientious communities, has been instrumental in the arrest of more than 50% of these traffickers.