▍250 MILLION more child brides
#SouthAsia is the region with the world’s highest child marriage rate. Due to the economic collapse caused by the pandemic, Save The Children estimated that there would be 250 MILLION more child brides this year than usual.

The tragedies of forced marriage, human trafficking, and forced sex have deprived girls of their chances for a good life from an early age. Gender inequity in conservative communities is the core reason why girls aged 15-20 are forcefully traded away by their families and society in general to the labor force.

▍Ashma, a girl striving for change
Ashma Aryal is one of the girl ambassadors from the GOH-JCYCN girl empowerment training program. At 17, she asked the local government to work with her to organize an anti-child marriage initiative, self-defense workshop, and more, and to increase wider social awareness of child marriage.

What we are focusing on…
In Taiwan and other parts of Asia, The Garden of Hope Foundation (GOH) has noticed four major issues that girls commonly deal with:

1. Violations of their bodily integrity
2. Denial of their right to healthcare
3. Unequal access to education
4. Gender stereotypes and body image issues

To learn more, visit: https://www.facebook.com/thegardenofhope