"Now I wish to be his wife in seven more lifetimes.": Laxman and Puja's story
Hear from Laxman and Puja, a couple whose marriage has undergone a dramatic transformation since attending the couple sessions held by the gender-based violence project.
September's featured volunteer
Namaste! My name is Raj Karki. I’m volunteering as a Diffusion Advisor on VSO’s Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response project in Nepal. I’m looking forward to keeping you up to date with how we’re getting on and how your support is making a lasting difference to the lives of women and girls here.
I’m delighted to be volunteering with VSO and to have the opportunity to share my experiences with you all. I’ve been in my role of Diffusion Advisor for just over a year, which has given me loads of opportunities to learn and grow, as well as use the knowledge I’ve gained over the years. Thank you for standing with me and helping to make a positive impact in my home country.
It is unacceptable that more than one in four women in Nepal experience gender-based violence in their lifetime. With your support, my colleagues and I are leading a range of prevention activities to stop violence against women and girls here. We’re doing this by running interactive sessions with couples, families, community groups and leaders to challenge social norms that value men and boys over women and girls. Working alongside other organisations, we’re part of an incredible movement to create long-lasting change.
September '23 volunteer update
One thing I love about working on the project is hearing how the work is transforming relationships and positively changing lives. Like Laxman and Puja's, who recently participated in a transformative 10-day couples session organised by the project. The sessions are held with couples to discuss and reflect on practices within their family and community. These help couples identify harmful attitudes and improve their understanding of gender-based violence.
The sessions have had a profound impact on Laxman and Puja’s marriage, and Laxman even said he has had a ‘personal revelation’!
LaxmanAfter attending the couple sessions, there has been a change in me.
Husband and father
Laxman previously believed that it was a woman's responsibility to stay home and do chores while men go to work. Since attending the sessions, he recognises there should be equal responsibility in household chores. As a result, Laxman is now putting wholehearted effort into supporting his wife. He helps her around the home and shares the responsibility of their children. His newfound awareness is bringing positive change to their daily lives, resulting in a more balanced and healthy partnership.
Hear from Laxman and Puja…
I hope you enjoy hearing from Laxman and Puja. It certainly motivates me to keep up the good work that we’re doing when I hear positive stories like these. I hope it shows how important your donations really are to VSO.
It also motivates me a lot when I receive your kind messages of well wishes and good luck. If you’ve previously left me a message, thank you so much. And if you’d like to get in touch or have a question, did you know you can leave me a message below? I’d love to hear from you!
Raj
VSO Diffusion Advisor, national volunteer tackling gender-based violence, Nepal.
Want to ask a question?
VSO’s Sponsor a Volunteer team will share your message with the VSO volunteer and get back to you with a response. Your email address will not be used, disclosed or transferred to any VSO personnel, it will be stored securely in accordance with VSOs privacy policy. A sample of messages including display names will be published to the Sponsor a Volunteer homepage each month.
Your latest questions answered
Your words and truly positive professionalism are shining through. Congratulations. I think the violence within an intimate relationship sessions should be available to all, worldwide! Men and women to learn from you. Bravo, Raj. Thank you for sharing.
Raj
Hello Susan,
I am so delighted to know that you are supporting VSO for VSO’s effort to reach out to marginalized communities as well as bring positive change in the life of people. Yes, you are right sessions in violence within intimate relationship should be available to all, as occurrence of intimate partner violence is very high compared to other forms of gender-based violence.
Thank you supporting VSO, because of your generous support, VSO is able to provide platforms for youths like us to volunteer in our community and give something back to our society.
I am so delighted to know that you are supporting VSO for VSO’s effort to reach out to marginalized communities as well as bring positive change in the life of people. Yes, you are right sessions in violence within intimate relationship should be available to all, as occurrence of intimate partner violence is very high compared to other forms of gender-based violence.
Thank you supporting VSO, because of your generous support, VSO is able to provide platforms for youths like us to volunteer in our community and give something back to our society.
Many thanks for getting in touch and telling me about your work within a VSO project. It's so sad to learn of those who suffer as a result of domestic violence. I am happy to continue to support the work you do in this area through my donation.
Raj
Hello Vera,
Yeah, it’s really difficult for women and girls in Nepal esp. in rural area where rural society is engulfed with traditional norms and harmful practices. But through our prevention effort, we are able to reach out to such communities and help to reduce harmful practices that cause domestic violence. This is all possible because of your generous support.
Thank you very much for supporting VSO.
Yeah, it’s really difficult for women and girls in Nepal esp. in rural area where rural society is engulfed with traditional norms and harmful practices. But through our prevention effort, we are able to reach out to such communities and help to reduce harmful practices that cause domestic violence. This is all possible because of your generous support.
Thank you very much for supporting VSO.
Did you know?
We bring about lasting change not by sending aid, but by working through volunteers to empower communities in some of the world’s poorest regions. You can read more about VSO’s areas of work and discover more about our projects here.
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