Anuradha Koirala

Anuradha Koirala, known as Dijju (elder sister), is a Nepalese social activist who has helped rescue and rehabilitate more than 12,000 women and children who have been victims of sex trafficking between Nepal and India. In 1993, she established Maiti Nepal—a non-profit organization dedicated to providing refuge and health and social services to the victims of the region’s brothels and exploitive sex trade. Maiti Nepal has three prevention houses, eleven transit homes, two hospices, and a formal academy. Upwards of 1000 children receive direct services from Koirala’s organization every single day. Maiti Nepal also works closely with Indian authorities to patrol and prevent trafficking along the border.

She was awarded the Courage of Conscience Award by The Peace Abbey in 2006 and won the CNN Hero of the Year Award in 2010. Koirala received the Mother Teresa Award in 2014 and the Padma Shri Award, one of India’s highest civilian honors, in 2017. She joined the Nepali Congress party in 2017 and was appointed the 1st women Governor of Province No. 3.