Kathmandu: Noted Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala has partnered with the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) and Government of Nepal to help quake affected women of Nepal by providing them with 'Dignity Kits'.
The Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Population, Dhanabahadur Tamang, UNFPA Nepal Goodwill Ambassador Manisha and UN Population Fund Representative for Nepal, Glulia Vallesse, jointly launched the campaign by pronouncing "Dignity First" at a function in Kathmandu today.
"Each of us needs to be proactive in preserving the dignity of women and girls in a situation of emergency," said Tamang.
"The government of Nepal and UNFPA's support for these vulnerable population covers a range of issues, from reproductive health to the prevention of gender-based violence," said Manisha.
"The dignity of women and girls whose lives are shattered must be restored together with their physical health and well-being."
The project aims to cater to the needs of some 165,000 women and girls across 14 quake affected districts of Nepal.
Currently we have distributed some 7,000 Dignity Kits and an equal number of Kits are arriving soon for the needy women, informed Tamang.
The Dignity Kits, which include towel, shawl, torch light, tooth paste and tooth brush among others, costs around USD 32. Those who are marginalised and whose houses are completely destroyed by the earthquake get first priority while distributing the Kits, said Manisha.
The actress along with her actor friend Gulsan Grover also raised USD 500,000 from charity programmes conducted in Mauritius recently.
The money will go to the Prime Minister's Fund to Support Earthquake Victims, Manisha added.
