-Karmasahi Gharti Magar
-Annie Townsend, Director of The I Am Woman Project (This is a brief conversation held with Annie Townsend, Director of the ‘I Am Woman Project’ based in Australia, conducted as part of a gender equality and social actionn program.)
For what purpose did you come to Nepal?
-Annie Townsend- I come to Nepal as part of my ongoing work in international social work education. Each year, I spend several months based in Pokhara coordinating and supervising Australian social work students who undertake their international field education placements with local host NGOs. Alongside this, I work with our not-for-profit organisation, The I Am Woman Project (IAW), to establish partnerships with Nepali NGOs that strengthen community-led initiatives in gender equity, menstrual health, and social inclusion. These partnerships also create meaningful opportunities for Australian social work students to learn about social work in the Nepali context and to contribute to locally driven projects in ways that are ethical, reflective, and mutually beneficial.
What kind of organisation is I Am Woman?
-Where is its official office located? Annie Townsend- We are an Australian-based social work initiative addressing the impacts and forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) experienced by women and girls in India and Nepal. One significant form of GBV we focus on is the stigmatisation of menstruation. The stigma surrounding menstruation is closely intertwined with intersectional factors such as gender inequality, poverty, caste, class, religion, (dis)ability, and historically demeaning attitudes toward women and girls. These factors reinforce feelings of shame, causing many women to hide their menstrual experience and avoid seeking important health care. We respond to these impacts in two ways: (1) We encourage women and girls to talk openly about menstruation and to end the secrecy that has long surrounded it. We train women to become Community Mobilisers who teach others about Menstrual Health Management (MHM). (2) We examine how structural and social root causes of gender inequality contribute to that secrecy in the first place. Through our Gender Equity and Social Action (GESA) programs, delivered by trained mentors, we engage communities to promote understanding, empathy, and social change.
In which countries does I Am Woman work, and with which organisations?
-Annie Townsend- Currently, I Am Woman works primarily in Nepal and India. In Nepal, our key partners include the KarmaFlights Foundation (KFN) and UniCoN. In India, we partner with Badlaav Social Reform Foundation (SRF) and the Equal Community Foundation (ECF) in Pune. Together, these partnerships support inclusive education, menstrual health, and community empowerment initiatives.
What kind of program is GESA?
-Annie Townsend- The GESA Program (Gender Equity and Social Action) provides opportunities for young people to critically reflect on the pervasiveness of gender inequality. It recognises that gender norms influence children throughout their life course, from birth to adulthood. Structural and social root causes of inequality can be addressed through education to achieve lasting change for women and girls. We believe a truly gender-transformative education approach is one that helps young people embrace positive masculinities, uphold the rights of women and girls, and promote gender equality within their families and communities.
How satisfied are you with the partnership with KarmaFlights Foundation?
-Annie Townsend- Our partnership with KarmaFlights Foundation is deeply valued. It is grounded in mutual respect, shared learning, and a strong commitment to community-led change. KarmaFlights Foundation’s’ leadership and community networks have been vital in ensuring that programs such as GESA and MHM are inclusive, locally owned, and sustainable. The collaboration has been both professional and heartfelt, an example of how cross-cultural partnerships can thrive when grounded in trust and shared purpose.
What are the basic and long-term objectives of GESA?
-Annie Townsend- The basic objective of GESA is to enhance understanding of gender equality and social inclusion at the community level. It equips young people with the confidence and tools to lead conversations for change. The long-term objective is to create a ripple effect of empowered young community leaders who promote dignity, inclusion, and equality in their families and communities. Ultimately, GESA seeks to strengthen local leadership and intergenerational dialogue so that social change continues well beyond the curriculum.
Would you like to say something through the online portol?
-Annie Townsend- Yes, I would like to express my deep gratitude to our Nepali partners, colleagues, and friends who have welcomed us into their communities. The warmth, wisdom, and generos . and generosity of people here continually remind us that true change happens through relationships and listening. Our shared work through programs like GESA shows that when knowledge, respect, and empathy come together, they create waves of transformation, Samajik Taranga Prabhav that reach far beyond what any of us could do alone.
