Nominated Asian Girl Ambassador 2014: Rashmi Lamsal

Name: Rashmi Lamsal

Organization: Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal

Awards/ Achievements: (1) Youth Activist Against Female Foeticide (2) Participant in Debate and Essay Competitions for Gender Equality, Women Empowerment, Child Abuse, and Rape (3) Participant in “Say No to Girl Child Abortion” Rally (4) Participant in the “Fight Back” Rally on Self-Defense for Girls

Introduction:

I am a sixteen year old student studying in the twelfth grade, who is an active member of the Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal Organization. Through this organization, I have participated in rallies like “Say No to Girl Child Abortion” and various workshops to empower girls in our society. I have participated in various debate and essay competitions concerning gender equality, the empowerment of women, child abuse, and various rape cases. I have also participated in workshops that discuss major issues of Nepali society that concern empowerment of girls who do not realize they are being discriminated against.

Through the Asian Girl Campaign, I would be able to further empower Nepali girls in hopes to bring an end to gender violence and discrimination. Whether I am awarded the award or not, it is my passion to raise the voice of girls against gender abuse. I have a lot of experience and leadership ability gained during leading and being involved in workshops that will help me make this issue known to a wider audience throughout my life.

I have also learned self-defense through the workshop “Fight Back.” This event taught girls techniques to escape dangerous situations that could lead to rape. Afterwards, I taught these same techniques to my family and friends. In addition, I have been a member of the youth advisory board’s “My Right, My Voice” Campaign, which calls for better health facilities for girls in remote regions.

Nominated Asian Girl Ambassador 2014: Samphos Sim

Name: Samphos Sim

Samphos teaching life skills

Samphos Playing Football

Organization: Cambodia’s Sports and Leadership Training Academy (SALT)

Awards/ Achievements: (1) Girls’ and Boys’ Football Coach (2) Teacher of Gender Equality Classes at Football Festivals (3) Football Player and Student through SALT (4) Participant in SALT’s Leadership Training Classes

Introduction:

I am currently a football player and teacher through the SALT Academy. My parent are farmers and have three children, so when I was young, I had to work on the farm instead of having the opportunity to attend school. After I got involved in SALT, I have had the opportunity to attend school, learn a sport, and become a good coach and leader.

I have been involved in SALT’s leadership training as well as teach gender equality classes at various football festivals we organize. We are also able to visit different communities to teach children soccer skills and host educational workshops. I also coach girls’ and boys’ soccer teams, especially concentrating on being a good role model for the girls in my community. I want to teach them that they are equally capable to play football and also complete their education.

I hope to become a better leader through the Asian Girl Campaign and share what I learn with my team, players, family, and community. Through this, my goal is to become an even better role model for the girls I coach, as well as girls throughout Cambodia and the rest of the world.

It is important that girls know they are equally capable of playing football, being leaders, and receiving an education. In the past, I have been told that girls cannot play football, but this is obviously not true. I have coached and played this sport and feel that girls have been empowered through their experiences at SALT Academy. My supportive family has allowed me to do things I would have never been able to do before, but many girls in Cambodia must marry early without the choice of playing football or studying. This overall attitude of women is one that must be adjusted.

Nominated Asian Girl Ambassador 2014: Shaheba Sultana

Name: Shaheba Sultana

Organization: Bangladesh’s Participatory Development Action Program (PDAP)

Awards/ Achievements: (1) Leader of an Adolescent Group through PDAP (2) Past Dancer through Nitto Rang Sangstha, a Bangladeshi Cultural Institution (3) Current Dancer in PDAP’s Cultural Program (4) Advocate for Girls’ Safety and Education

Introduction:

I have been involved in PDAP for three years, since I was eleven years old. I lead an adolescent group through the organization that meets weekly to discuss various girls’ rights issues including education, reproductive health, safety and security, sexual abuse and child marriage protection. There are twenty members in my group to whom I have been able to share my experiences. If any problem occurs within the community, I discuss with my group and family members to find a solution to the issue. In the past, I also learned dance from a Bangladeshi cultural institution, Nitto Rang Sangstha, but now currently am involved in PDAP’s cultural program and dance activities.

I am passionate about sharing my experiences with young women and girls, encouraging them to fight for women’s rights in their own communities. I also am eager to understand problems that girls are facing around the world as well as use solutions from other communities and countries to implement in my own community.

Due to a lack of safety and security, girls often get married at a young age. We talk to girls about these issues, as well as encourage them to be safe and get vaccinated to avoid any diseases. In addition, we teach them the importance of a clean environment and ways to reduce contagious diseases. We also encourage them to pursue their education and that they are also able to have a successful career.