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Empowering Girls in India
FALL 2024
presbyterian.ca
Connection
PRESBYTERIAN
PRESBYTERIAN WORLD SERVICE & DEVELOPMENT
Through community awareness sessions, children, parents and community leaders all learn about the impacts of child marriage.
cal government workers. Since poverty is one of the root causes of neglect for girls’ rights, the pro- ject also provides livelihood and income-generating opportunities for marginalized families.
“I will be a role model
to other girls”
Lilawati Kumari is a 16-year-old from Mudwa village who par- ticipates in the Karuna Project. In one of the classes she attended, she learned about the negative effects of early marriage, as well as how to advocate against it. Lilawati decided that she would raise her voice against child mar- riage—both in the community and in her home.
Lilawati’s two sisters had both been married at a young age, and her parents were planning the same for her. However, she told her parents that she had other plans: “I want to study and achieve my dreams. I do not want to waste my life like this.”
Lilawati reasoned with them that if they did not stop the mar- riage, she would call the child hel- pline and make a report. Despite her stunned parents’ continued efforts to persuade her, Lilawati stood her ground and eventually convinced them to stop trying to force the marriage.
Through continued conversa- tions with her parents about child marriage, the laws against it and its effects on girls, Lilawati helped them understand the negative im- pact of early marriage on a child’s life, and on the broader society. They are now suppor tive of Lila- wati as she pursues her education.
Lilawati is excited to bring what she’s learned about the rights of women and girls to others in her community. She said, “I have taken the first step in my family and will be a role model to other girls so that they can take a stand against child marriage in their homes and work towards fulfill- ing their dreams. I will encourage
Lilawati uses what she’s learned to speak out against child marriage in the community and in her home.
them to pursue higher studies. Seeing me shine, many people in the community will allow their girls to study and stop early mar- riages. I thank the Karuna Project for the valuable lessons they are teaching us through these adoles- cent classes.”
PWS&D is pleased that Dr. Rubel, who leads this project at the Duncan Hospital, will be a global partner representative on the PWS&D Committee for 2024–2025. If you are interested in having Dr. Rubel speak at your church while she is in Canada, contact Stephanie Chunoo at [email protected].
to those humanitarian needs by supporting projects being carried out through ecumenical partner- ships at ACT Alliance and Cana- dian Foodgrains Bank.
Through ACT Alliance, house- holds have received emergency food assistance and emergency non-food items, including hygiene kits and medical supplies. Cana- dian Foodgrains Bank partners have provided cash assistance to those most in need, allowing them to buy food and other es- sential items.
These responses are just a few examples of how vital ecumenical collaborations are and how effec- tive our responses can be when we combine resources to work together. In recent months, ecu- menical relationships have also enabled therapeutic nutrition for malnourished children in Sudan, food and water and sanitation support for people displaced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and food assistance in Syria, to name just a small sam- ple.
With the help of our partners and your faithful support, PWS&D is not only able to respond imme- diately but also expand our reach and impact. Our ability to work for a compassionate and just world is made more possible because of ecumenical relationships.
To support this work, please visit WeRespond.ca/donate.
By Emma Clarke, PWS&D Communications
In Bihar, India, an alarming 80% of girls are forced into early marriag- es. Not only does this reduce the likelihood that they will complete school, but it makes young girls— married as early as 12 years old—more susceptible to traffick- ing for child labour and sexual ex-
ploitation. Bihar region also ranks among the states with the highest rates of domestic violence, with 58% of married women reporting instances of violence.
The Karuna Project at the Duncan Hospital aims to em- power and protect girls through raising awareness about their rights among decision-makers in households and villages, and lo-
Strength in Joint Responses
PWS&D collaborates with well- respected internationally focused organizations, faith-based and secular, to address many of the structural issues affecting com- munities around the world. These organizations include Canadian Foodgrains Bank, ACT Alliance and KAIROS.
For example, in conflict zones, where providing direct humanitar- ian assistance may be challeng- ing, our ecumenical partners, through their existing local net- works, can reach those com- munities. These collaborations also allow donations to stretch further, have a greater impact and improve the lives of more people. PWS&D’s membership in Cana- dian Foodgrains Bank also pro- vides access to alternate funding sources, including Government of Canada funds and financial sup- port from other Foodgrains Bank members.
Ecumenical collaborations at work: Gaza
As the war in Gaza continues to cause widespread famine condi- tions, casualties and injuries to
In Gaza, PW&SD can support the delivery of essential health services through our ecumenical partner’s local network. PHOTO CREDIT: DSPR/MAHMOD ELBARAGETHI
PWS&D’s ecumenical collaborations allowed us to respond quickly to the needs of people affected by the con- flict in Ukraine. PHOTO CREDIT: HUN- GARIAN INTERCHURCH AID
By Stephanie Chunoo, PWS&D Communications
Amid the increasing number of humanitarian crises, you might wonder how PWS&D effectively and immediately responds. To- gether, with your suppor t and through ecumenical collaboration, we can make a significant impact.
Ecumenical collaborations are partnerships among numer- ous religious organizations and faith-based groups. These col- laborations provide the opportu- nity for PWS&D to react quickly to conflict or disaster in areas of the world where we don’t already have direct partnerships, or our partners are not able to respond.
tens of thousands, the demand for humanitarian aid only increas- es. PWS&D, who has supported ecumenical work in Palestine for decades, does not have direct partnerships in Gaza, but has been called to respond. Through our ecumenical membership in ACT Alliance, PWS&D can sup- port humanitarian efforts through the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR), an ACT member, in Gaza. DSPR is a department of the Middle East Council of Churches.
Despite ongoing challenges, DSPR has continued to provide as much support as they are able with their local staff and offices in Gaza. For example, in Rafah, DSPR continues to provide prima- ry health and dental care. Services provided include primary health care, dental care, medical labora- tory services, pharmacy, mother
and child and health suppor t, psy- chosocial suppor t, and essential medicines and hygiene kits.
Additionally, families have re- ceived cash transfers to promptly address urgent needs, includ- ing purchasing water, food and other essentials. These services are critical right now. The plan remains to scale up the response significantly when humanitarian assistance can flow more freely into Gaza.
Ukraine
Since 2022, the conflict in Ukraine has led to significant loss of life, injuries and the mass displace- ment of civilians both within the country and into neighbouring re- gions. Infrastructure and housing have been extensively damaged, forcing many people to flee their homes.
PWS&D continues to respond