Introduction
Ms. Sunita Danuwar (1977–2024) was a courageous leader, activist, and survivor of human trafficking whose life journey became a ray of hope for countless women and girls. A globally recognized Trafficking in Person (TIP) Hero-2018, she dedicated her life to protecting and empowering survivors, advocating for their rights, and influencing national and international policies against human trafficking. Her activism earned her widespread recognition, including being ranked 36th among Fortune’s 50 Greatest Leaders of the World (2019).
Early Life
Sunita was born on 16 July 1977 in Kasigadh VDC, Dailekh district, a remote western part of Nepal, to Mr. Ganga Ban and Mrs. Chandrakala Ban. She grew up in extreme poverty and lost six siblings in childhood due to malnutrition. At age five, her family migrated to India in search of survival, working as tenant farmers. When she was 14, on the way to Nainital, two Nepali men deceived her family and sold her in Mumbai’s red-light district.
In 1996, Indian police rescued over 500 minors from brothels. 200 of them were Nepali. Sunita was among them. The Government of Nepal initially denied their return, questioning their citizenship and stigmatizing them with the fear of HIV. In the absence of state support, seven leading NGOs came forward to repatriate and rehabilitate the rescued survivors. Out of 200 Nepali girls and women, only 128 were able to return home. Refusing to remain silent, 15 young survivors, including Sunita, came together to transform their tears into power. In 1996, they founded Shakti Samuha, the world’s first survivors-led anti-trafficking organization. For 23 years, she led Shakti Samuha in building programs for rescue, rehabilitation, legal reform, and survivor empowerment.
Education
Despite being denied education in childhood, Sunita’s determination never faded. After her return from India, she resumed schooling in Kathmandu. In 2009, she passed Nepal’s national School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examination which is considered as the “iron gate” of education proving her resilience. She later completed her Intermediate of Arts (IA) from Padma Kanya College in 2012.
Recognition and Awards
Sunita’s activism earned her several prestigious awards and recognition worldwide:
· C10 Award (2014), Stockholm
· Asia Human Rights and Democracy Award (2015), Taiwan
· World Women Leadership Achievement Award (2015), Mumbai
· National Award from the Government of Nepal (2016) on the 10th National Day against Human Trafficking
· Trafficking in Person (TIP) Hero – U.S. Department of State (2018)
· Listed among Fortune’s World’s Greatest Leaders (2019)
· WOW Women Achievers Award in Nepal, 2020-2021
She also held leadership roles nationally and globally, serving as Vice President of WOREC, Central Executive Board Member of the NGO Federation of Nepal, and member of the first global survivors’ network.
Founding Sunita Foundation
After decades of leadership at Shakti Samuha, Sunita envisioned expanding the movement. She believed that the fight against trafficking needed new spaces for innovation, intergenerational leadership, and deeper survivor engagement. With this vision, she founded Sunita Foundation in 2019. Sunita Foundation consolidates the knowledge and experiences she gained over two decades and carries forward her mission of prevention, protection, rehabilitation, reintegration, and advocacy.
Legacy
Sunita Danuwar’s life stands as a powerful testimony of resilience and transformation. From a 14-year-old survivor to a globally respected leader, she showed the world that survivors are not victims; they are changemakers. Her leadership played a pivotal role in shaping Nepal’s anti-trafficking movement, where she pioneered survivor-led advocacy that directly contributed to the creation and enforcement of national anti-trafficking laws. She became a role model for thousands of women and girls in Nepal and beyond, inspiring them to believe in their strength and agency. Her legacy continues through Sunita Foundation and the intergenerational leadership she nurtured, ensuring that the movement against human trafficking grows stronger with each generation.
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