A Voice For the Voiceless

The Advocacy Project helps marginalized communities to tell their story, claim their rights and produce social change. We recruit graduate students to volunteer as Peace Fellows with partners.

The Impact of Service



"Speaking with locals and living in a country is the best way to learn about the real lives of citizens, not just the stories in the mainstream media. I will be more critical of what I read as a result of this experience. I also feel even more grateful for my education, and I feel a stronger responsibility to assist others who do not have resources or access to opportunities in their communities."

Maria Skouras (New York University) volunteered in 2011 as a Peace Fellow for eHomemakers in Malaysia.

For more 2011 feedback click here.

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Partner Campaigns > Women's Repro... > Women at Risk > Secrecy/Stigma

Secrecy/Stigma

There is a social taboo in Nepali society about sharing reproductive health problems and concerns, such as uterine prolapse, with others. Women are embarrassed and scared to talk about their problems because they fear social isolation within their communities. They are afraid of being ostracized, not being able to find work, and for being blamed for their condition.

Women who do not discuss uterine prolapse with others are less likely to receive medical attention and to stop the prolapse from progressing.

Women are also scared of telling their husbands about their problem and often suffer in silence for the duration of the marriage. They worry that their husbands will leave them and marry another wife, or that their husbands will beat them or kick them out of their homes.



Goulab Devi Ram











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