Hiking high up in the mountains in Nepal, I will never forget meeting 80 year old Maili and her great grandson Samir. Serving action Aid and the incredible work they were doing right after the Gorkha earthquake killed nearly 9000 people and injured nearly 22 000. Let us all continue to hold hands – as families, neighbourhoods, villages and continents.
Deep-rooted patriarchal mindset, cultures, belief systems and traditions perpetuate gender-based inequality and violence against women and girls. These practices do not acknowledge sexual and reproductive health rights of women, restricting autonomy and self-determination over their own bodies. Women are kept away from decision-making processes and their care works at home barely recognised; their representation is mere tokenism and the extent of policy gain is undermined by weak implementation.
Our work will focus on strengthening women’s empowerment, improving safety and security of women and girls, and advancing women’s productive roles.
