02.28.2020
How We’re Empowering Women – International Women’s Day 2020
In the 25 years since the signing of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action for Universal Women’s Rights, READ Global has strengthened its own commitment to advancing gender equality. By uplifting women’s voices and rights, READ Centers have helped transform gender norms in communities, a shift that helps everyone living in the community to […]
12.12.2019
This Center Is Completely Self-Sustaining
When a visitor enters the Panauti READ Center’s charming wooden Nepali doors, they notice cheerful children interacting with engaged adults and seniors, and young women leading their peers through health education trainings or programs to help victims of domestic violence heal from the trauma they have suffered. The long-term, independent sustainability of each READ Center […]
11.06.2019
The Path to Safer Migration: Personal Stories of Two Common Scenarios
The promise of higher earnings to send home from employment abroad entices thousands to leave their country every day across Bhutan, India, and Nepal. Whether due to lack of information or options, those who choose to migrate are often taken advantage of. A dishonest recruiter or agent might steal a migrant’s money, abandon a migrant […]
09.11.2019
Smoothing the Rocky Path of Migration: IREX and READ Global Begin at the Source
Guest blog by Rachel Peterson, Dining for Women Chapter Co-leader For the 21% of the world’s workers living off of less than $3.10 per day, just having a job is not enough to keep them and their families out of poverty. Low-quality, low-paying jobs lead many to consider migration in search of work that can […]
07.27.2019
Invest in Women, Elevate Communities: A Closer Look at the Financial Impact on Women at READ Centers
“Thanks to READ Centers, women are more confident, have greater self-esteem, and are able to start and run their own businesses.” ~ READ Nepal staff member Supporting women’s empowerment and women’s entrepreneurship is one of the MOST effective ways to lift families, communities, countries, and whole regions out of poverty. This key takeaway from a […]
04.29.2019
April 2019 Update: Empowering Women and Youth in Asia
In 2019, we’re excited to share news about bold initiatives tackling human trafficking and ensuring youth and girls participation in the growing tech sector leveraging the extensive network of READ Centers and communities in the region. Because of READ’s inclusive community-led approach, and through the beauty of partnerships and the flexibility of our model, we’re […]
04.13.2018
Moving with the Digital World: Information and Technology Trainings in Bhutan
16-year-old Tshering always had a great interest in learning new skills pertaining to computers and new technologies. But because Tshering resides in Changjiji in Thimphu, Bhutan, her access to computers, internet or the opportunities to develop 21st-century skills is none too easy. READ Bhutan’s Engaging Youth with Information and Computer Technology Trainings (ICT) project was […]
02.26.2018
Communities Thrive & the Urgency of Fighting Human Trafficking
According to the U.S. State Department, about 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders, every year. Because of systemic issues surrounding poverty, economic instability, mass migration due to famine or lack of job opportunity, some of the key elements that make communities vulnerable to human trafficking is a lack of options, and limited public awareness […]
02.13.2018
Women’s Empowerment and the 2017 Bhutanese Elections
Editor’s Note: This post was originally posted on Nawang P. Phuntsho’s blog. Nawang is the Development Officer for the Thimphu READ Center. Women’s empowerment is a recent phenomenon in Bhutan. And unfortunately, many of us today have narrowed it down to having more women contest elections. Although it is true that empowered women are more […]
01.10.2018
Ganga and the Power of Female Leadership
Following along with Ganga as she shares her story, one would feel hard pressed to believe she once was so timid, her own mother could barely urge her to speak. For someone like Ganga, friends were hard to come by – with little confidence to speak, having a conversation with her was often difficult. Feeling isolated and […]
