Gender Equality: #WhatIReallyReallyWant
As we approach our trip to Nepal, we’d like to let you know about the extraordinary programmes and projects you are supporting in Nepal, in this case in support of Goal 5 of the UN Global Goals: Gender Equality. Who will you be working with? Where does the money go? How exactly does your involvement change lives? In this blog we aim to answer these questions and more.
So, why this goal? Girls and Women are disproportionately affected by issues such as poverty, lack of education and inequality — to a simply massive degree. This year the Global Goals are campaigning to push the voices and rights of women to the front of the agenda to solve these issues. The awesome #WhatIReallyReallyWant video that has filled our screens over the last week shows the importance of Goal 5. If we can bring about Gender Equality then we will be going most of the way to also hitting Goal 1, Goal 2 … well, all the goals!
In Nepal trafficking and domestic violence are devastating issues , with reports that as many as 200,000 Nepali women are working in brothels in India, after being trafficked over the border. A stigma exists around both these issues, with a culture of silence leaving women vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.This goal will support charities that tackle these issues head on, battling on the frontline of progress.
If you are fundraising and supporting the Gender Equality goal these are the 3 charities your funds will be split between.
Maiti Nepal
Started by the amazing CNN Global Hero, Anuradha Koirala, over twenty years ago, this is the largest organisation we are working with in Nepal. Maiti Nepal works tirelessly as both a prevention and a recovery programme against the trafficking of women and children. The charity raises awareness about the dangers posed by traffickers, and undertakes rescue operations, removing women from brothels in India or intervening during transit to India. They provide vital counselling and support after the unimaginable hardships the women have endured. They work to rehabilitate women and their children, nearly all of whom will not be able to return to their communities as they are now socially outcast.
Fundamentally, they help women to move forward with their lives, providing a place to live, learn and raise their children as well as, and this is the project we are funding, teaching vocational training so that the women can begin to generate a living from the skills they are taught. We will be working with Maiti Nepal on ideas that we have, to support them in becoming more sustainable. Trafficking is a massive issue and one that cannot be beaten by funding alone. With your support you can ensure that this amazing charity continues to fight the stigma surrounding trafficking, and empower countless women to have a brighter future.
Burns Violence Survivors
This charity was visited by Prince Harry on his recent trip to Nepal in March. BVS is a fantastic organisation and we have become very close to the team who run it. There are an estimated 56,000 burns violence cases in Nepal each year, very few of which are treated, as there are very limited dedicated burns units, and with almost no discussion of the underlying issues and causes. Simply put, female burns victims do not admit their burns are caused by violence from their partners, because of a culture of silence around the issue. Additionally, many of the cases are due to self-immolation. BVS is dedicated to treating burns victims effectively, an issue no other major organisation in Nepal is focused on as it is very complex and considered niche. They support treatment as well as rehabilitation, through counselling and vocational training. The charity also aims to prevent attacks through education. They hope to bring the discussion about domestic violence into the open, going into villages and educating through street performances, as well as putting out radio jingles. They have a massive task, and supporting BVS is one of our most impactful projects.
Chora Chori
Set up by a former British Army officer and based in the UK, Chora Chori (meaning children in Nepali) are a relatively new set up. They work with a team in Nepal, organising rescue missions for children who have been trafficked into India, finding displaced boys and girls, often conducting actual raids in brothels and other places of child slavery. Chora Chori bring the children back to Nepal, providing care and support. Where possible, they reunite them with their family and community, but if this is not possible for cultural or practical reasons the children are cared for and educated until they are fully skilled up and can take care of themselves.
We’ve been very impressed by the openness and transparency of the charity (check out their website to look through their spreadsheets in detail, we love this!) as well as being clear on their achievements and goals. They will be spending the funds on increasing the amount of rescue missions they can carry out each year. Child trafficking is an issue which has only worsened since the earthquake, so the work charities such as Chora Chori do is more vital than ever!
Come November you will have the opportunity to work with these amazing projects on the ground.
Remember, this is your chance to actually see the impact of your marathon fundraising, it’s what makes the experience so special. So, get over to our fundraising site and set up your bespoke page. Start making history!
