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.

- Grace Ma

FROM 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 paddle boarding 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 paddle board 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.