KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 19 Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Shraddha Shrestha has reaffirmed the government's strong commitment to preventing human trafficking, describing it as a serious crime that requires coordinated action. Addressing the opening of a two-day seminar on 'Challenges of Human Trafficking and Exploitation in the Nepal–India Border Area' in Biratnagar on Thursday evening, Minister Shrestha stressed the need for closer cooperation between concerned agencies of Nepal and India to effectively curb cross-border trafficking. She said the ministry is working on strategic measures for the timely rescue, protection and rehabilitation of trafficking survivors, adding that new initiatives to prevent the trafficking of women will be formulated and implemented soon. Speaking at the programme, Maiti Nepal Chairperson Anuradha Koirala said the organisation has been engaged in anti-trafficking efforts for the past three decades through awareness campaigns, rescue operations and rehabilitation support. She noted that adolescent girls remain vulnerable due to factors such as illiteracy, unemployment and deceptive inducements, calling for stronger coordination among communities, organisations and the state. Biratnagar Metropolitan City Mayor Nagesh Koirala also said human trafficking remains a major challenge in Nepal, emphasising that effective prevention is possible only through collective efforts. (With inputs from RSS)