Kathmandu: In the remote corners of Nepal, where the traditions of the past still hold a firm grip on the present, one extraordinary woman who has become a potent force for change is Urmila Chaudhary. In addition to drawing attention to this serious issue, her unwavering efforts to end the practice of the Kamlari system, which has imprisoned thousands of young girls for decades, have also served as inspiration for a national movement for freedom and justice.
The Kamlari system, a form of bonded labor, has long been a harsh reality for numerous young women from Nepal’s Tharu community. To obtain cash or products, destitute families would send their daughters to work as domestic maids in more affluent homes. These girls, who were frequently as young as six, endured terrible treatment, lost their childhoods, and were denied an education.
At six, Urmila was sold into Kamlari and witnessed firsthand the cruelty and hardship that went along with it. Her unbreakable spirit, nonetheless, resisted being broken. She suffered for years before a local NGO saved her. Rather than let it go, she decided to fight back. Urmila started spreading the word about the predicament of these young girls to put an end to the Kamlari practice. She toured all across Nepal telling her tale and standing out for the rights of the girls who were once Kamlari. Human rights advocates and international organizations took notice of her compelling testimony and unwavering activism, and they joined her cause.
The founding of the Freed Kamlari Development Forum (FKDF), a group devoted to helping former Kamlari girls, is one of Urmila’s major accomplishments. Urmila has facilitated access to education, career training, and psychological support for hundreds of survivors through FKDF. These young women have been able to reconstruct their lives and restore their dignity, thanks to her efforts.
Significant legislative and policy developments in Nepal have also resulted from Urmila’s activism. Her unrelenting advocacy paid off in 2013, as the government officially abolished the Kamlari system. She has also played a significant role in advocating for the passage of laws guaranteeing compensation and rehabilitation of Kamlari girls.
Students for Liberty (SFL) Senior LC Sagar Koirala and colleagues organized a session on Kamlari freedom on June 20 featuring well-known activist Urmila Chaudhary in Kathmandu. Former Kamlari Chaudhary talked about her experience and the struggle against the system that forced young Tharu girls into bonded labor. The occasion commemorated the advancements made in the liberation of Kamlari girls while highlighting current issues. After hearing Chaudhary’s account, attendees—who included activists and students—were motivated to continue the movement and make sure that the former Kamlari girls got the treatment and authority they deserved.
Urmila Chaudhary’s story transcends borders, inspiring many and earning numerous awards. Her unwavering dedication to eliminating the Kamlari system has liberated thousands of girls and sparked a broader social justice movement in Nepal, serving as a beacon of hope and inspiration. She is the only Nepali recipient of the ‘Freedom From Fear Award,’ which includes the likes of Aang Sang Su Ki and Malala Yousufzai.
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