Durga Ghimire is a prominent social worker and the president of ABC Nepal, a non-profit organization dedicated to women’s welfare and the prevention of trafficking. Born on May 12, 1948, in the eastern city of Biratnagar, Nepal, she was the fifth child of Ganesh Acharya and Shanta Acharya.
Ghimire pursued her education at Tribhuwan University, where she obtained a Masters in Arts degree in Economics and a Bachelors degree in Law (BL). She was married to Jagadish Ghimire, a renowned author, development worker, and political analyst in Nepal.
Aside from her work as a social activist, Ghimire is also an accomplished author and writer. She has authored several literary books and articles focusing on women’s issues, including women’s health, trafficking, and safe migration. Ghimire is a regular participant in national, regional, and international conferences, where she presents papers on women’s rights, empowerment, and the trafficking of girls and sex slavery.
In her early years, Ghimire was actively involved in student politics, which resulted in her being jailed three times for a total of thirteen months. Despite the hardships she faced, Ghimire continued to fight for social justice and became a consultant for drafting new policies and plans related to women’s and girls’ trafficking in Nepal. She also served at the Centre for Economic Development and Administration (CEDA) and the Social Welfare Council of Nepal.
During her time in London with her husband, Ghimire worked as a news reader for the BBC Nepali Service. It was during this period that she, along with Prativa Subedi and Mira Aryal, founded ABC Nepal. Initially focused on agroforestry, basic health, and cooperatives, ABC Nepal later shifted its focus to combating women’s rights violations, particularly the trafficking of girls and women into Indian brothels.
Ghimire’s dedication to uplifting rural communities led her to co-found Tamakoshi Sewa Samiti (TSS). This organization works towards improving access to clean drinking water, creating employment opportunities, enhancing agriculture techniques, and providing better healthcare and education services in the rural villages of the Ramechhap district in Nepal.
In addition to being the founding president of ABC Nepal, Ghimire holds various leadership positions. She is the vice president of the Women Force Group and the Center for Asia Pacific Women in Politics (CAPWIP). She is also a founding member of the National Network Against Girls Trafficking (NNAGT).
Ghimire’s work has earned her international recognition and accolades. In 2012, she received the Help for Self Help Award from the Strømme Foundation. In 2006, she was honored with the Reflection of Hope Award by the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum.
Throughout her career, Ghimire has been a steadfast advocate for women’s rights, dedicating her efforts towards combating trafficking and promoting the well-being of women and girls. Her tireless work and influential contributions have made a significant impact on society.
Awards:
– Help for Self Help Award 2012, Strømme Foundation
– Reflection of Hope Award 2006, Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum