Raksha Girls - Teaser

RAKSHA GIRLS is a poignant and beautiful documentary that explores the resilience, survival, and empowerment of young women in Nepal.

Set against the backdrop of a stunning yet complex country, the film sheds light on the pervasive societal inequalities that continue to allow the exploitation and abuse of women and girls. Through personal stories, Raksha Girls unveils the dark realities of sexual and physical abuse, while capturing the emotional journeys of these women and girls as they begin to reclaim their strength, both physically and mentally. The documentary also highlights the unwavering commitment of the people and charities who support these survivors on their paths to healing.

In her directorial debut, Cathy Brown, a former Female World Champion Boxer and founder of the initiative HeadGuard, introduces us to Raksha Nepal, a grassroots charity led by the inspiring Menuka Thapa. Menuka has rescued over 8,000 girls from abuse, providing them with shelter, safety, and education in a secure home.

Cathy joins forces with Raksha Nepal and, together with a team from HeadGuard, takes seven girls on a profound journey into the breathtaking Nepalese mountains, where they leave their safe house for the first time. The group spends five days in a remote camp, protected by a team of Gurkhas from the SAS. There, Cathy and her team teach the girls the Boxology® Boxing Program, a course developed to teach individuals boxing, in the UK.

In a deeply emotional parallel, Cathy opens up about her own traumatic past, including growing up in an orphanage and the abuse she faced throughout her life, offering insight into how boxing has played a crucial role in her own healing process.

RAKSHA GIRLS is a story of survival, strength, and the unyielding will to overcome adversity, capturing the spirit of women and girls who refuse to be defined by their trauma.

www.headguard.info

Director: Cathy Brown

Filmed by: Iain McKenzie - Lachlan McKenzie

Editors: Liyana Mansor - Grainne Creighton