Feminist advocacy for survivors of trafficking in Nepal

Each year, tens of thousands of Nepali women are trafficked into forced sex work or labour. Sunita Foundation exists to change this.

After Sunita Foundation’s founder Sunita Danuwar passed away in 2025, Swostika Danuwar is continuing her mother’s legacy of activism. Her story shows the power of intergenerational feminist work.

Sunita Foundation has been supported by Womankind Worldwide’s Her Voice Fund (HVF) since 2023.

HVF provides flexible funding to women’s rights and feminist organisations and activists. With an intersectional focus, the fund supports advocacy efforts to influence policy at local, national, regional and international levels. Launched in 2021, the fund has supported feminist groups and women rights organisations in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nepal, Uganda, and Zimbabwe with a total of £1,568,687 in 98 grants. Sunita Foundation focuses on mental health and psychosocial support for trafficking survivors along with advocacy to end trafficking.

With support from HVF, Sunita Foundation has advocated for policies that facilitate the social and economic integration of survivors while ensuring their mental health needs are prioritised. They are pushing for long-term support systems that include job training and opportunities. Swostika and her team are advocating for trauma-informed care at health centres and making mental health services accessible to survivors in rural and high-risk areas.

HVF gave Sunita Foundation the space to focus on influencing local laws governing reintegration efforts, alongside promoting workshops for officials to enhance their ability to support survivors effectively.  Sunita Foundation align their advocacy with community needs, creating an environment that not only holistically supports survivors to rebuild their lives but addresses systemic barriers for trafficking survivors in Nepal too.

Learn more about Sunita Foundation.

Learn more about Her Voice Fund.