Shakti Samuha is the world’s first organization established and run by survivors of human trafficking, as noted in the 2007 TIP Report by the USA. Founded in 1996 and officially registered in Kathmandu in 2000, Shakti Samuha has been working against human trafficking.

In 1996, the Indian government conducted a raid in Mumbai's red-light district, rescuing approximately 500 young girls from Nepal, India, and Bangladesh, who were subsequently placed in government shelters. Out of 500 young girls, 300 were Nepalese girls. Despite the harsh conditions, the Nepalese government initially refused to repatriate the Nepalese girls, citing concerns about the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Amid this crisis, seven Nepalese human rights organizations—WOREC Nepal, ABC Nepal, CWIN, Maiti Nepal, Nawa Jyoti Kendra, and Istri Shakti—successfully repatriated 128 girls to Nepal and provided them with shelter support. WOREC Nepal provided 15 of these girls a 10-day training program on reproductive health and human rights, empowering them with the knowledge that human rights are universal, including for survivors of human trafficking.

Realizing that being trafficking survivors was not their fault but a consequence of inadequate government mechanisms, 15 survivors transformed their pain into power by founding Shakti Samuha, which translates to "Power Group." This collective initiative marked the beginning of a pioneering organization dedicated to combating human trafficking.

Since its inception, Shakti Samuha has tirelessly advocated for the rights of human trafficking survivors. Their comprehensive efforts include direct support to survivors, policy advocacy, and preventive and awareness initiatives aimed at protecting vulnerable populations and establishing a dignified life for trafficked women and children in their own society.