Why I'm fundraising for women and girls in crisis
In March 2025, I will be taking part in a 5 day Trek for Rights in the Southern NZ Alps to raise funds to help support the efforts of UN Women, who work in partnership with local women’s organisations to provide critical services, hope and a lifeline support to women and girls in war-torn countries and communities affected by natural disasters.Why am I doing this?
When I worked in Afghanistan in 1998, I saw first-hand the particular forms of suffering experienced by women in unsafe environments of conflict or occupation.  I witnessed and remember the desperation of the woman forced into marriage with a Taliban soldier, the woman with a psychotic breakdown from the stress of the isolation, the woman who died in childbirth when her husband refused medical help as there were no female clinicians available, the sadness of the uni students unable to finish their education and pursue a career, the women forced to beg or prostitute themselves to support their children whose husbands had been killed in the war.
There are 614 million women and girls living in conflict zones today and while it is impossible to help all of them, I know that it will make a big difference for those few who do receive some support. If it were you, me, our sisters, cousins, mothers, aunts and friends, we would be grateful for any help we could get, if at least to know we were not so alone.
My aim is to raise $3000 for the cause. Please support me in this effort with whatever you are able to spare, in knowing that all funds go directly to UN women and your money will be deeply appreciated by those who receive the support.
Note: Donations are tax deductible and these funds do not pay for my travel costs, which I will be paying myself.
Â
My Achievements
My Updates
Nearly half-way there!
Friday 4th Oct
Thank You
$131.88
Alice Ishwar
$129.76
Jo Rhodes
Good on you Belinda. Hope all that's raised gets to those women who really need it. Jo
$105.50
Belinda Greenwood-smith
$105.50
Anonymous
Better have the wet weather gear
$105.50
Christen Ribas
$105.50
Selina Lo
You are amazing as a person and as a friend Thank you ! I’m so delighted to do this trek with you and thank you for always believing in me and inspiring me to do my best.
$105.50
Sgs
$105.50
Sutton
Brett
$105.50
John & Trish Greenwood-smith
Well done Belinda and Selina for supporting such a good cause. Enjoy your walk.
$105.50
Drew Grenwood-smith
$84.40
Sophie Freidel
$79.13
James Fordyce
Enjoy yourself, and for a good cause!
$52.75
Jean Watson
$52.75
Sherelle
All the best Belinda. It’s unfortunate that these kinds of initiatives are still needed.
$52.75
Felicity Heale
Best wishes, keep walking. Love, Felicity.
$40.09
Annette Webb
good luck, great cause!
Thank you, Belinda, for doing this. All the best.