Standing Up for Women
Christine Amour-levar and Valerie Boffy, founding partners of non-profit Women On A Mission, share with Grace Ma the reason behind their tireless drive to raise funds and awareness for female victims of violence, war and trafficking
rom crossing one of the most treacherous deserts on earth to accompanying reindeer herders across Siberia, the gutsy female volunteers of non-profit organisation Women On A Mission (WOAM) have achieved them all in record-breaking feats in order to bring issues of female abuse and violence to light. This month, WOAM’S founding partners Christine Amour-levar and Valerie Boffy will lead a team of 11 women on an expedition to Bhutan that includes a three-day stand-up paddleboarding journey to raise awareness and $25,000 in funds to build shelters for Renew (Respect, Educate, Nurture and Empower Women). The charity founded by Bhutan’s Queen Mother Sangay Choden Wangchuck empowers, cares for and supports women and children, especially survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. It is the first and only organisation of its kind in Bhutan. Christine says, “We wanted a water challenge after organising treks and rockclimbing types of expeditions in the past. We saw this as a chance to come up with a truly unique expedition in one of the most beautiful and scenic countries in the world.” The expedition team, comprising participants based in Singapore, Dubai and the Philippines, have been doing fitness and stand-up paddleboard training since last October to prepare for the week-long trip. Each participant also forked out $5,800 to cover the costs including flights, food, lodging and activities. The women will set off on April 23 from Bhutan’s capital Thimphu and end at the Taktsang Palphug Monastery, the famous Tiger’s Nest mountainside temple. In between, they will attempt their stand-up paddleboarding journey through the icy rivers of the Punakha Valley as well as white-water rafting, hiking and camping around the Paro Valley. The team will also meet survivors of domestic violence at one of Renew’s shelters, Gawailing Happy Home, to conduct interactive leadership development workshops and share with them about the women empowerment work WOAM does around the world. The Queen Mother says, “Violence against women and girls through physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuse is one of the most widespread violation of human rights. A collective effort at the local, regional