November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The color orange symbolizes a brighter future free from violence and demonstrates your solidarity with the campaign to eliminate all forms of violence, hence being used as the color of the day.

Since 2003, the Garden of Hope Foundation’s (GOH) Asian Girl Campaign has supported over 100 girl-centered programs to empower over 10,000 girls in nine Asian countries.

In Nepal, Over 50% of girls don’t know the mechanism behind menstruation, and almost 90% of women have experienced restrictions and social exclusion during their periods. Dipisha Bhujel, from NIDISI in Nepal, won the 2021 Asian Girls Social Innovation Award. Her project aims at promoting menstrual education and inspiring young women to be part of the change and fight for gender equality.

Thailand is often seen as a Buddhist country, though Muslims comprise 5% of the population. It is legal to wear hijabs, yet hijab bans have been privately enforced. Dani Saejung, from Thailand, won the 2021 Asian Girls Human Rights Award, her project aiming at shattering the myth that how women dress is the reason behind sexual harassment. She believes women have the right to dress how they want.

Only 88% of Tajik girls complete their basic education. Tajikistan ranks 133rd out of 187 countries on the United Nations Education Index. Zebo, from Tajikistan, won the 2021 Asian Girls Community Development Award. Her project, “Writerama,” provides creative writing workshops and a platform where Central Asian girls can share their stories with the world.

Help programs aimed at resolving gender inequality for girls in Asia: reurl.cc/L7Ebg9

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