Duo on a mission

By Melissa Donchi
IT’S hard to imagine living in a country where shouting in a public place is more punishable by law than beating one’s wife.
But that’s what Renu Sharma and Kamala Upreti are hoping to do by raising awareness of the plight of women in Nepal through their non-profit organisation, The Women’s Foundation (WF).
They are currently the guests of Ruth and Allan Davidson of Yarra Glen who last week threw a fundraising luncheon in their honour to raise money for the foundation.
Mr and Mrs Davidson, who coordinate volunteer projects for WF, invited people to the luncheon so they could find out more about women’s conditions in Nepal.
“The day was a great success,” Mr Davidson said. “We raised over $3000 and there are still some more donations on the way.”
Mr Davidson, who is the incoming president of the Healesville Rotary Club, sponsored the women’s three-week trip, which will see them visit schools and talk about their projects.
Ms Sharma and Ms Upreti were among 45 people who established the non-profit and non-governmental organisation back in 1988 to address the social problems of women in Nepal.
Their work involves legal assistance, education and awareness, skills training and income generating activities.
They also run a women’s shelter which provides human rights awareness and protection, as well as protection against abuse of authority by state and society.
There are literally hundreds and thousands of cases of abuse against women and children in Nepal and Sostika’s story is just one of them.
Sostika, five, was raped by her father a year ago who is now serving a jail term. Her mother also died recently leaving her with her two brothers aged nine and 11.
She has been living at the WF shelter for seven months while the organisation tries to find sponsors for her brothers.
“Despite her traumatic past, Sostika is happy now because she feels safe,” Ms Sharma said.
The women’s shelter has provided a safe environment for women and children since 1995. They are provided with shelter, food, medical and legal aid as well as access to training and education.
For more information on WF and their volunteer programs visit www.womenfoundation.org or email womens_foundation@hotmail.com.