Safeworld International - Who's who

CHRIS CROWSTAFF - TRUSTEE AND FOUNDER
UK

As the founder of Safe World for Women, I am committed to bringing together women and men who share our passion for a safer and more humane world.

We need to start by protecting the most vulnerable. Women and children still make up most of the world's poor, most victims of war, most refugees and so it goes on. I truly believe that a Safe World for Women is a safe world for all.

In the summer of 2009, I visited women's groups in the Middle East and Uganda, with my husband Andrew (Safeworld Operations Manager). I returned home feeling blessed that we live in a quiet, friendly and lush part of the world and also encouraged by the strength of human spirit when faced with unimaginable challenges.

My dim distant past varies from being head keeper at a wild-life park, book cover artist, columnist for a local journal, running a gardening business, studying biology, natural nutrition, homeopathy and Tibetan psycotherapy, coordinating workshops and retreats ... to bringing up two children in the wilds of Ireland and Cornwall along 'natural nurturing' principles.

Articles, Interviews and blogs by Chris

CLARA BOXALL - TRUSTEE & DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
UK

I grew up in SE Asia and went to university in Perth, Western Australia. I have a degree in Media and Communication Studies and went straight into the advertising world after graduation. While in the advertising industry, I discovered that by understanding the values people hold and goals people pursue are important in motivating change.

I am a great believer in the small acts of courage. In our small yet diverse acts of courage, each of us can work to create change to a portion of events in our society. I also believe that people are the greatest asset in a society and should be treated fairly with dignity and respect. The discrimination of girls and women in the developing world, with little or no hope of relief is a bone of contention.

Safe World to me is a vehicle that voices the injustice and suffering often faced by women. It also reminds us that women are central players and beneficial to our society. Every member in our team is committed to promoting women and our rights to dignity and equality, and this is the heart of Safe World.

Human trafficking, the sex industry, child prostitution, social and humanitarian issues faced by refugees in Asia are my personal interests. It also includes endangered species, the danger of losing animals that we can never replace.

Articles & Interviews by Clara

JENNIFER TIMMONS - FIELD PARTNERS MANAGER & EDITOR
USA

I am Jennifer, aka “Jen”, to my SafeWorld family and many friends! Am a California native-turned-east coast lover and resident.

I research, write, edit, coordinate, collaborate, brainstorm, and help provide rah-rah support for SW's webzine and its staff!

I am also Field Partners Coordinator, in which I manage nearly everything to do with our many grassroots organisations throughout the world: first point of contact, application process, editing updates and articles, all-around communication.

Field Partners are the reason we exist. I continue to learn so much from our FP's; they help put things in perspective about what is important in life.

And I love it!

I am impassioned about women's rights, especially on issues of violence against women and reproductive health rights—whenever I learn about injustices in those two areas, my blood boils.

Safe World is like another home for me. I plan to stay around as long as it exists! I have been truly blessed in working with the most awesome team, and meeting amazing people the world over via email.. This is heaven!!

I am a licensed massage therapist, and have a bachelor's degree in Communication. But for a brief internship in corporate communications, I had not used my journalism skills for many moons until I came to SafeWorld. So now, I feel I've come full circle, in using these skills for one of my greatest passions: women's rights and advocacy.

When women are supported and empowered, the entire society benefits. It feels so great to be a part of the SAFE WORLD family.

Articles & Interviews by Jen

FER AMARAL - GENDER RESEARCHER
BRAZIL

I am a Brazilian Gender researcher and I hold a master's degree in Sociology. I am studying for another master's in Gender, Identity and Citizenship in UCA-Cadiz, Spain with a scholarship from MAEC-AECID.

I am involved with violence against women issues with Safe World and the Man Up Campaign (project in Brazil).

Safe World is a place in which I can empower myself and help others to empower themselves. Working with women’s rights gave me courage to change my own reality, and change the world to make it a safer place for women and men, for girls and boys.

Safe World is action: we put our hearts and our souls to make things change. I can define Safe World with one word: love. That’s what we do on Safe World."

Articles & Interviews by Fer

In 2011, Fer Amaral contributed a chapter to the book: Gypsy Sexuality: Romani and Outsider Perspectives on Intimacy - "A feminist conducts interviews with a few Romani women and reflects on the great divide between reality and the common myths about Gypsies in her country" (Chapter: Romani women in Brazil, by Fernanda P. Amaral with Sumaya Saran, in: Niremberg, Jud (ed). 2011, Clambake Press, LLC. Arizona, USA.

HARSIMRAN KAUR - LEGAL CONSULTANT
INDIA

I qualified as Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England & Wales and became Member of the Law Society in November 2008. I did my graduation in Commerce in year 2003 and graduation in Law in year 2006.

Besides this I became an Associate Member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India in January 2008. I handled Corporate Law matters at various levels and have also got additional expertise in other Legal matters.

It is rightly said that “There is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed.”

Social work for me is not simply helping people out, but also to see changes around me. And we all are capable to bring around that change with concerted efforts. I think I can relate myself to SAFE WORLD in many ways, in terms of the thoughts behind this organization.

Women are the foundation of every society. Yet for many women in the world's poorest regions, life is extraordinarily difficult.

BECKY GOURDE - ONLINE ADMINISTRATOR
USA

I believe in human rights. Since human rights violations across the globe tend to target women and children most frequently and most disparagingly, I feel that focusing on the advancement of these groups is a significant movement toward making the world a benevolent place for all human beings.

Awareness, exposure, and understanding of the rooted issues are crucial in the first steps of that process. I help Safe World in areas such as administrative tasks, organizational upkeep, and basic communications, and my hope is that my small contributions allow us to connect with and promote the solutions to those issues to a greater degree.

I come to Safe World from the upper Midwest region of the United States, where I live and work near Lake Superior. I have a bachelor’s degree in English, and my professional experience includes communications, writing, marketing, and nonprofits.

LINNET GRIFFITH-JONES - STUDENT LIAISON OFFICER AND VOLUNTEERS COORDINATOR
UK

I am a recent graduate with a BA (Hons) in Politics. I help at Safeworld with the administration. I grew up in the South West of England before going up to Lancaster for University.

I am really interested in Africa in particular because my father grew up there but expanded my interest in the rest of the world, while doing my degree. I think communication is really important and giving a voice to those who find it hard to speak out. I am teaching myself Swahili and hope to travel to give myself a first hand knowledge of other cultures.

Working at Safeworld is a great experience allowing me to understand others better and it makes me feel empowered to make a difference.

GAB CHAPARRO - TWITTER TEAM
MEXICO

'Treat others as you want to be treated.'

ANDREW SAMPSON - OPERATIONS MANAGER
UK

I have been involved with Safe World from the beginning.

I am responsible for day-to-day operations for Safe World, including implementing our technical and media strategies.

I visted the Middle East and Uganda with Chris learning about women's lives. I am passionate about working to right the many wrongs inflicted on women throughout the world.

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Correspondents

• Senior Correspondent - Rachael Fulton
• Afghanistan - Noorjahan Akbar
• Canada - Dan Gamble
• DR Congo - Mugisho Theophile
• Egypt - Fatma Emam
• Iran - Joanne Michele
• Israel - Irit Hakim
• Malawi - January Watchman Mvula
• Nigeria - Olutosin Oladosu Abedowale

Student Writers

• Safe World Student Writers Profiles