Hope, Resilience, and Change: Reflections on the Regional Conference Against Modern Slavery

As I reflect on the three days we spent in the serene city of Pokhara, hosting the Regional Conference on Combating Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking in South Asia, one thought keeps coming back to me: it’s not just about what was said but how it was shared.


From January 5–7, 2025, Kopila Nepal, in partnership with The Freedom Fund and other dedicated organizations, brought together 35 remarkable individuals—survivors, activists, government officials, and stakeholders—from across South Asia. They came to connect, learn, and create strategies to combat one of the darkest realities of our time.


But what made this conference stand out wasn’t just the discussions or the strategies we designed. It was the people, their voices, and the quiet moments of shared humanity that stitched it all together.


The Warmth of Neelam Didi’s Leadership


If I had to pick one thread that held the event together, it was Neelam Didi’s gentle and effortless facilitation.


Watching her in action was like watching an artist paint. She didn’t demand attention—she invited it.  Her words flowed like a soft breeze, making even the heaviest conversations feel lighter, approachable, and safe. Survivors who spoke of unimaginable trauma found comfort in her presence. Participants grappling with complex ideas found clarity through her questions.


One survivor said, “I’ve shared my story before, but this time, I didn’t feel alone. It felt like someone was walking with me as I spoke.”


That’s the kind of magic Neelam Didi brought into the room.


Survivor Stories: The Heartbeat of the Conference


It’s impossible to describe this conference without talking about the survivor leaders. Their voices were the soul of the event.


One moment I’ll never forget was when a young woman, who had endured unspeakable hardships, stood up and said: "I am not a victim anymore. I am the architect of my own life now. And I’m here to help others build theirs."


The room fell silent. It was the kind of silence that holds you still, where you can feel everyone’s heart beating in unison.


These stories weren’t just about pain; they were about hope. About resilience. About transformation.


Hard Truths and Big Questions


Of course, the conference wasn’t just about inspiration—it was about facing the harsh realities of trafficking and modern slavery in South Asia.

We dug into difficult questions:


  • How do we address the stigma that isolates survivors?
  • Why are laws failing the very people they’re meant to protect?
  • How do we keep up with traffickers who are increasingly using technology?


These aren’t easy questions, but as the discussions unfolded, I saw something beautiful: collaboration. Activists shared solutions that worked in their regions. Government officials listened. Survivor leaders offered insights no one else could provide.

It was messy and imperfect, but it was real.


A Promise for the Future


On the final day, as the participants gathered for one last session, there was a palpable sense of commitment in the air. People weren’t just leaving with notes and action points; they were leaving with purpose.


We talked about next steps—supporting survivor-led initiatives, strengthening legal systems, and leveraging technology for good. But more than that, we made a promise: to keep the momentum alive, to keep collaborating, and to never lose sight of the people at the center of this fight.


Why This Matters


As someone who played a role in organizing this event, I felt deeply humbled by the experience. It reminded me why I do this work and why it matters so much. 


This conference wasn’t just an event. It was a gathering of hope, of shared dreams for a future free from exploitation. It was proof that when we come together—across borders, across sectors, across lived experiences—we can create change.


To everyone who was part of this journey, especially Neelam Didi and the survivor leaders: thank you. You showed us what resilience looks like and reminded us why we must keep fighting.


As we move forward, I hold onto the words of one survivor:

"Change starts with us. And together, we can make it unstoppable."


- Kshamata Khadka

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