On February 27, World NGOs Day, SEEMA recognizes a few groups changing the dynamics of power in South Asia
Around the world, women face many challenges to live a life of dignity and respect. Women often face obstacles because of their gender. From unequal pay to lack of access to education, health care, and other basic rights. Fortunately, some organizations work tirelessly to ensure they have equal rights and opportunities. These non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play an essential role, providing resources and support for those who need it most. These are eight NGOs helping to empower women in South Asia today.
Project Nanhi Kali
This India-based NGO runs one of India’s most extensive programs to get underprivileged girls through 10 years of schooling. The project goes beyond the classroom. Accordingly, it supports a child’s education through daily academic support and an annual school supplies kit.
Donate here.
Central Asia Institute
The Central Asia Institute (CAI) aims to advance education and livelihood skills, especially for girls and women, in the remote, mountainous regions of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan. It works to increase access to education for students of all ages through programs from the preschool level to adulthood. Its initiatives also extend beyond schooling, to promote opportunities for women to earn a livelihood.
Donate here.
3 Angels Nepal
3 Angels Nepal (3AN) is an award-winning NGO fighting human slavery and human trafficking in Nepal. Its work includes educating poor women and children at risk, and sheltering and rehabilitating women and girls rescued from human trafficking. It also provides microfinance loans to women in need. In 2017, 3AN’s co-founders were awarded the “Asian Leadership Award” for their effective anti-human-trafficking awareness tool, Hamro Abhiyan.
Donate here.
Bangladesh Women’s Health Coalition
The Bangladesh Women’s Health Coalition (BWHC) focuses on women’s health. So it provides marginalized women and communities reproductive and primary health services. It helps women exercise their reproductive health and rights in their families and communities.
Contact for donation here.
Society for Empowering Women to Achieve (SEWA)
India-based SEWA’s major focus is to provide quality education and scholarships to meritorious girls and women. It gives business support and consultancy to women entrepreneurs. SEWA also works to improve women’s health in rural and below-poverty-line sectors. In addition, it conducts regular counseling sessions on women’s mental health.
Donate here.
Their Future Today
Their Future Today (TFT), based in Sri Lanka, aims to end the suffering of vulnerable children living in extreme poverty. One of its main thrusts is women and girls’ empowerment, focusing on victims of abandonment and sexual abuse. So, TFT provides advocacy and support to bring these women and girls to safety at The Heartbeat Center, a safe house where victims receive pro-bono legal aid and support to rehabilitate their lives.
Donate here.
Prajwala
Based in India, Prajwala was founded in 1996 to prevent intergenerational prostitution. It works to rescue trafficked victims and rehabilitate them. It also supports victims of rape through its Rape Victim Support Programme (RVSP). Over the past 25 years, Prajwala has helped the police rescue more than 24,000 women and girls from sex slavery.
Donate here if you’re outside India; and here if you’re based in India.
HOPE Foundation
HOPE strives to provide quality health care services and improve the well-being of underserved populations in rural Bangladesh. It does this through educational initiatives and community outreach programs. Besides, it runs several projects, including rural mobile medical camps, birth centers and midwifery institutes.
Donate here.
