Women’s Empowerment: Hope in Hard Places

Where we work, women often carry the heaviest burdens of poverty, discrimination, and isolation.

While some of these stories may be difficult to read, they show the depth of suffering many women endure, and the life-changing difference your support makes.

In these deeply painful places, the local leaders Harvest Bridge supports meet them with hope. Women are experiencing true empowerment.

While some of these stories may be difficult to read, they show the depth of suffering many women endure, and the life-changing difference your support makes.

In India, “Sarla* was very afraid. She was harassed when she was young.

“A man misbehaved very badly when she was 16 years old. This affected her in her mind. She was not able to go out freely and she would not talk much to anyone. Another time, she was selling the jewelry, and a man was arguing with her. That man called her a dog and was saying that she is from a low caste.”

With the gentle encouragement of Priya* and the support of a trusted friend, Sarla reluctantly joined a bicycle-powered recycling collection project.

“Now she is so happy to drive her bicycle, and she goes out alone. She says, ‘if any man comes to harass me, I will punch him on the face.’ She is self-employed. Her husband was telling me, ‘Priya, this is a blessing. She is very bold now. If any man comes, she is not afraid.’ This helped her develop her mind, and start her business, and she is taking care of everyone in her family.”

“The women in these projects are earning more economically, so they have confidence . . . they are teaching other women also. Then they gathered Bible study groups and are calling other women
. . . You know, the gypsies don’t know how to read and write, but nowadays they are asking the children to read the Bible every day so that they can hear the Word of God. They can memorize, then they can spread it to other women . . . I feel like they tasted the truth . . . So like that they are saying, ‘oh, Jesus is very good. Please taste Jesus’ . . . They are saying that mustard faith is enough.” —Priya

In Nepal, “a 22 year old woman named Deki* always wanted to be independent and work for herself but her family wanted her to serve as a monk.

She was forced to cut off all her hair and wear monk dress. I shared my personal testimony with her and told her how Jesus has given me peace and freedom in my life. She secretly came to church services and she had hope and faith in Christ. Her family disowned her, but she wasn’t sad because she had found God and was free from what was holding her back. She’s preparing to leave for the city to fulfill her dreams.”   
—Gyan*

Also in Nepal, “a 31-year-old married woman named Bina* was in a very abusive relationship. Her husband was a very angry man and used violence as a means to control her.

He beat her up for the smallest of reasons and fought with her every morning. He only saw her as a working robot with no feelings. She was really sad and was breaking down. Her parents saw it as a shame to themselves if their daughter got divorced or came back home, leaving her husband.

Her husband was a monster. She decided to end her life so she’d no longer have to tolerate her husband and also wouldn’t bring shame upon her family for being divorced. She was sitting on a park bench when I offered her help if she was going through some trouble. She cried and told me she wanted to live as a free woman but her parents only cared about their image in the society.

I shared the Gospel to her and brought her with me that day. I accompanied her to the police station and filed a report against her husband. She showed her fresh scars as proof of domestic violence and her husband was immediately arrested. She accepted Jesus as her personal Lord and saviour as God gave her the courage to do what should have been done long ago and helped her live her life on her own. She feels free.” —Bibha*

Many women in Nepal face serious health challenges, such as a prolapsed uterus, which, without treatment, can be debilitating or even life-threatening.

The health clinics you support offer treatment to them. Through a recent partnership with Days for Girls, the clinics also offered menstrual health kits to young women. As women learn about their own health, they are empowered to pass it onto others.

“Prisha* was suffering from a prolapsed uterus which was causing her back and belly pain and was unable to work. She and her family never imagined she would be getting healing from the prolapsed uterus. Because of her sickness her husband and children were suffering. Some of the children were working instead of her, so the income of the family was going down . . . [through the medical camp] she had surgery for the prolapsed uterus and now she is healthy and working for herself and for her family. She and her family understood that medical treatment can change and save lives. She started sharing about her sickness and healing story to other women so that no one will suffer like her in the future. She started sharing the knowledge of family health, and maternal and sexual health she got through the project.” —Jandi*

In Bangladesh, trafficking is a constant threat, especially for women and children at busy transit points.

Seeing this urgent need, local ministry leaders began quietly monitoring stations to identify and stop traffickers, partnering with local police and bringing the rescued to a safe hostel where they receive care and protection.

“This girl was 15. One of the boys, he tempted her, telling her that ‘if you go with me to Dhaka, then I’ll give you a garment job.’ This boy, he wanted to use her, like in a bad way. They were quarreling in the bus station. Our sister Saroj* called the police. They took the case and brought her to the hostel.” —Darpan*

In 2025, our three Bangladeshi missionaries who focus on anti-trafficking rescued 290 people!

Learn More

These stories are just a glimpse of the quiet strength and transformation happening across South Asia through women’s empowerment. In March, we’ll be sharing more on our social media and podcast, highlighting how God is restoring dignity and hope in the hardest places.

Help Support

You can give to support women’s empowerment today here!