2020
Rima Kumari
- Age: 21
- | She/her/hers
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Gender inequality presents a myriad of challenging issues. With the contribution of people worldwide, we can make a meaningful difference and facilitate change.
- Rima Kumari
Bio
Rima Kumari was born and raised in India. Rima attended Yuwa School, where she was speaker, secretary, and captain of her house. She played soccer and ultimate frisbee, and coached the U-12 and U-14 girls’ teams. Rima has led workshops regarding feminine hygiene. Rima is currently attending college in the United States. In November 2022, Rima was the youngest global delegate at the Fora Global Summit hosted in Toronto, Canada.
What ignited your pursuit for gender equality?
When I was young, I encountered numerous circumstances where I was told not to pursue my dreams just because I was a girl. For example, school and sports were forbidden to other girls and me. The daily injustices I witnessed and experienced in my society ignited my pursuit for gender equality.
Please share your biggest wins as an advocate for gender equality.
Facilitating workshops and coaching soccer for under-12 and under-14 girls teams in a small village is quite challenging. Menstruation is a taboo subject, and many parents forbid their daughters from playing sports like boys. Instead, these young girls are expected to spend their timing preparing to marry at the age of 16. Therefore, in the workshop, I teach the girls about their rights, about menstruation, how to avoid child marriage, and about the value of education. As a result, the girls have been playing soccer. They speak for themselves and stand for their rights. These girls are the change for the community.
Outside of your gender equality advocacy work, what do you enjoy doing?
Whenever I am free, I enjoy listening to music, playing Frisbee, chatting with people about their lives and cultures, reading books, and watching movies.
Languages Spoken:
- Hindi (Advanced/Native)
- Sadri (Advanced/Native)
- English (Intermediate)
- Sadri (Advanced/Native)
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