Maiti Nepal Calls for Urgent Action on Nepal–India Surrogacy Trafficking Claims
Maiti Nepal has called for an immediate investigation following an investigative report by Indian news outlet Dainik Bhaskar alleging that economically and socially vulnerable Nepali women are being recruited through intermediaries and financial incentives for commercial surrogacy arrangements in India. Expressing deep concern, the organization warned that if these claims are substantiated, they represent severe violations involving human trafficking, exploitation, women’s rights, and the erosion of free and informed consent. In its statement, Maiti Nepal urged the governments and law enforcement agencies of Nepal and India, alongside the National Human Rights Commission, to promptly investigate the allegations, dismantle potential cross-border networks, and strengthen monitoring along the Nepal–India border. Crucially, the organization stressed that women caught in these operations must be viewed and treated as victims requiring protection rather than perpetrators. To ensure comprehensive care, Maiti Nepal recommended providing affected women with essential services, including legal assistance, healthcare, psychosocial counseling, safe repatriation, and long-term rehabilitation support, while emphasizing that a thorough inquiry is vital to establish accountability and prevent further exploitation.
