Anuradha Koirala

Anuradha Koirala, born on April 14, 1949, in Kalingpong, India, is a renowned social activist and founder of Maiti Nepal, a non-profit organization aiding sex trafficking victims. She hails from an educated family and attended St Joseph Convent School. Before dedicating herself to Maiti Nepal, she taught English for 20 years in Kathmandu.

Maiti Nepal operates rehabilitation homes, transit centers at the Indo-Nepal border, preventive rural homes, and an academy. Since its inception, it has rescued over 50,000 women and girls between 1993 and 2022, facilitating family reunions, border patrols, and rescues in India with authorities.

Anuradha's accolades include the Best Social Worker of the Year (1998), Prabal Gorkha Dakshin Bahu Medal (1999), Trishaktipatta (2002), Courage of Conscience Award (2006), German UNIFEM Prize (2007), Queen Sofia Silver Medal (2007), CNN Hero of the Year (2010 with $100,000 and $25,000), Mother Teresa Award (2014), Acharya Tulsi Kartitva Puraskar (2014), Padma Shri (2017 from India), and G.O.D. Award (2018). She served as Governor of Bagmati Province from 2018 to 2019 and joined the Nepali Congress in 2017. Maiti Nepal received a $500,000 U.S. grant in 2010.