Story
I am very proud that, in my community, girls are treated no differently to boys and I have to do just as much for my Bat Mitzvah as my brother did for his Bar Mitzvah. However, even today there is no country in the world where women have all the same rights or opportunities as men. Tzedakah means both justice and charity, and in my Torah portion I have been studying about places of safe refuge and aspects of justice. As well as providing safe places to escape from violence in countries in Africa and Asia, Womankind also works to change laws and policies which discriminate against women and girls. Womankind's vision is of a just world where the rights of all women are respected and valued. My initial fundraising target of £400 could provide a year's worth of materials for female survivors of violence in Zimbabwe to train in business skills and become financially independent. An additional £300 could equip 40 women in Ethiopia with the business skills needed to run a co-operative. Another £125 could provide journalism training to 22 Dalit women in Nepal to raise awareness of issues that affect them. Thank you for all the amazing support!