The two-day Cross-Border Workshop on Strengthening the Response to Combat Human Trafficking concluded in Biratnagar on 18–19 December 2025, reaffirming Nepal and India’s shared commitment to strengthening coordinated, survivor-centred responses to human trafficking.

Jointly organised by the Government of Nepal, the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens, and Maiti Nepal, with the support of Woord en Daad, the workshop brought together representatives from government agencies, law enforcement, civil society organisations, local governments, and development partners from both countries.

Hon. Ms. Shraddha Shrestha, Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens and Chief Guest of the workshop, reaffirmed the Government of Nepal’s commitment to combating human trafficking, particularly cross-border trafficking of minors, and emphasised the need for stronger bilateral coordination, faster rescue and repatriation, and survivor-centred responses. Ms. Anuradha Koirala, Founder Chairperson of Maiti Nepal, highlighted the continued risks of cross-border trafficking of minors, the rise in internal trafficking, and vulnerabilities along informal border routes, stressing the importance of prevention through education, awareness, and strong institutional mechanisms.

Hon. Mr. Nagesh Koirala, Mayor of Biratnagar Metropolitan City, underscored the critical role of local governments in prevention, early identification, and community-level interventions in high-risk and border-adjoining areas. In the closing session, Ms. Laxmi Kumari Basnet, Secretary, Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens and Chairperson of the workshop, reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening coordination among government agencies, law enforcement, and civil society to translate the consultation into concrete and actionable outcomes.

Day Two of the workshop was action-oriented, focusing on practical challenges and solutions related to prevention, protection, rescue, and repatriation. Participants engaged in technical sessions and thematic discussions on border monitoring, information sharing, use of technology, survivor care, repatriation protocols, mutual legal assistance, and joint training initiatives.

The workshop concluded with agreed-upon action points and a shared commitment to enhance cross-border coordination, finalizing the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for rescue and reintegration, and to advance rights-based, survivor-centred, and collaborative approaches to combat human trafficking across Nepal and India effectively.