Anuradha Koirala Wins 2010 CNN Hero of the Year Award

Congratulations to Anuradha Koirala!!

Anuradha Koirala received a CNN Hero award for her work in “protecting the powerless” and advancing the cause of human and equal rights at an awards ceremony at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium.

Koirala and her group, Maiti Nepal, have worked to rescue more than 12,000 Nepalese girls and women from human trafficking and sexual exploitation, according to CNN.

“I ask everyone to join me to create a society free of trafficking. We need to do this for all our daughters,” Koirala said at the CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute which aired Thanksgiving night and will continue to air worldwide on CNN International through Saturday.

CNN’s Anderson Cooper announced the Top 10 results from their online poll at the conclusion of the award show. The show was taped before an audience of 5,000 on Nov. 20.

According to the Maiti Nepal website, it was founded in 1993 by a group of teachers, journalists and social workers. Its focus has always been on preventing human trafficking for forced prostitution, rescuing victims, and providing rehabilitation for them.

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This social organization also actively works to find justice for the victims against their abusers through legal means.

Koirala and her group will receive an additional $100,000 award along with the $25,000 Hero award, which will be used in their work in Nepal and its borders