“A group of us have begun helping women who suffer abuse at the hands of drunken husbands. Our work is not easy but we will persist.”
Sushil Kharel, a eleventh class student, Amalitgunj, Bara district, Nepal

“We are working to help widows and women living on their own live a threat-free life.”
Vishnumaya Kstrehi of Birendranagar, Chitwan, Nepal

A band of youth committed to the campaign has managed to convince their friends not to tease and harass girls. This happened at a music concert held in August on the occasion of Krishnajayanti (the birthday of Lord Krishna) in Amlekhganj in Bara district. The venue became the ground for boys to harass girls and make lewd remarks.

The situation was beginning to spiral out of control. Seeing the melee, boys, who had enlisted in the ‘We Can’ campaign as Change Makers, rushed to intervene and persuaded the troublemakers not to indulge in such behaviour. As they sported ‘We Can’ t-shirts, the boys creating trouble stopped to listen to them. This lent courage to other boys who were also part of the campaign to also speak up. Some of them who had not worn their t-shirts hurried home to wear them and return to the venue.

“Wearing the ‘We Can’ t-shirt made us conscious of our behaviour and responsibility and we felt we had to do something. The fact that the other boys began to look at us with respect and take us seriously has given us the confidence to speak up and convince others to believe in the values of the campaign.”
Boys of the ‘We Can’ campaign, who put an end to incidents of eve-teasing at a music concert in Amlekhganj, Bara district

“Violence against women is a grave problem in our country. The safety of physically disabled women stand compromised even further. This issue needs immediate redressal as it affects a large number of families and the society at large. My organisation sees a meaningful role for itself in the ‘We Can’ campaign and hopes to reach its message to a large number of people.”
Ganesh Bhattarai, Programme Coordinator, National Association of Physically Disabled, Kathmandu (an alliance member of the Nepal ‘We Can’ campaign)

“Domestic violence affects children adversely. It not only affects their performance in school but their overall development. As an educator, I feel it is my responsibility to make both children and their parent’s gender-sensitive. I see my role and that of my school in the ‘We can’ campaign to be significant.”
Shushila Shresta, Principal, Swapna Vatika School, Budhanagar, Kathmandu

"Our organisation was established to support women, particularly victims of violence, and empower them with employment skills. We are happy to be part of the 'We Can' campaign as they are raising similar concerns and enabling women to ask for their rights."
Juneli Shresta, Programme Coordinator, Women Skill Creation Centre, Hetuada

"We can 'We Can' and we are."
Timothy Clayton, Country Representative, Oxfam GB Nepal Programme