Anuradha Koirala

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Anuradha Koirala (born Anuradha Gurung on 14 April 1949) is a Nepalese social activist and the founder of Maiti Nepal, a nonprofit that helps victims of sex trafficking. Before starting Maiti Nepal, she spent about 20 years teaching English in Kathmandu. Maiti Nepal runs a rehabilitation home in Kathmandu, transit homes at the Indo-Nepal border, preventive homes in the countryside, and an academy in Kathmandu. Since 1993, the organization has helped rescue and rehabilitate more than 50,000 women and girls, reuniting many with their families and assisting others to live independently.

Koirala served as the first Governor of Bagmati Province from 17 January 2018 to 3 November 2019, appointed by the Government of Nepal. In November 2017, she joined the Nepali Congress party.

Her work has earned many awards, including CNN Hero of the Year (2010) and the Padma Shri (India’s fourth highest civilian award) in 2017. She is often called the "Mother Teresa of Nepal" for her efforts. In 2010, the U.S. government gave Maiti Nepal a grant of $500,000 to support its work.