Letter to a Friend in 19th-Century Nepal

Dear Friend,

I hope this letter finds you well. I write to you with the hope of engaging in a meaningful discussion about an issue I’ve come to believe is deeply important—our treatment and perception of women in our society.

You and I have grown up surrounded by beliefs that women are naturally less capable or deserving of freedom and opportunities than men. These beliefs are so ingrained in our daily lives that they seem like unchangeable truths. But what if they’re not? What if we are overlooking something crucial?

Have you ever noticed the talents and strengths women display even within the confines of their restricted roles? Think of our mothers, sisters, and wives—how they manage households, nurture children, and often contribute to our farms and businesses, all without recognition or equal standing. Does it not strike you as strange that their contributions are treated as less important than ours simply because of their gender?

I’d like you to consider this: if women were truly less capable, would we need to restrict their education or opportunities so severely? Wouldn’t their supposed "limitations" be obvious without these barriers? Instead, I believe we fear what they might achieve if given the same freedoms we enjoy.

Moreover, I invite you to reflect on fairness. Imagine being born into this world and being told that your value is less—not because of what you’ve done, but because of something as unchangeable as your gender. Wouldn't you feel that this was unjust?

The evidence is all around us if we look with open eyes. In communities where women are given even small chances to learn and lead, we see families thriving and societies growing stronger. This isn’t just a moral issue—it’s also practical. Empowering women is empowering humanity.

I know it can be difficult to challenge the norms we’ve inherited. It feels safer to go along with what has always been. But I believe you are someone who values kindness and fairness, and that’s why I’m sharing these thoughts with you.

If you ever wonder what kind of world you wish to leave behind, think of one where every person, regardless of gender, can live with dignity and opportunity. That is a world worth striving for.

Yours in friendship and hope,
Suman

Part A
After looking into the numbers and impact, here’s what I found about donating 10% of a lifetime income to these charities:

Malaria Consortium

Impact: Around 11,425 children could be seasonally protected from malaria.
Lives Saved: 16 lives.
Why it stands out: It has exceptionally strong evidence of effectiveness and focuses on preventative care for vulnerable children.
 

Helen Keller International

Impact: Distributes about 79,977 vitamin A supplements.
Lives Saved: 23 lives.
Why it stands out: It’s incredibly cost-effective (just $2 per supplement) and addresses critical health issues like childhood blindness and mortality.
 

Against Malaria Foundation

Impact: Distributes roughly 15,995 insecticide-treated bed nets.
Lives Saved: 14.5 lives.
Why it stands out: It’s a well-known charity with strong evidence of effectiveness and focuses on preventing malaria through simple, long-lasting interventions.
 

Part B
If I had $1,000 to donate to just one charity, I’d choose Helen Keller International.

Why?

It saves the most lives (23) for the least cost.
Its vitamin A supplementation program has a huge reach (nearly 80,000 supplements provided).
I feel it’s slightly more neglected compared to the others, so my donation could make a bigger difference here.
 

Part C
I think using a numbers-driven approach could help in a few other areas of my life, like:

Career choices: Comparing the long-term impact of working in areas like AI governance, entrepreneurship, or media.
Personal growth: Deciding how much time and money to spend on things like courses or mentoring.
Everyday decisions: Figuring out the most efficient ways to live sustainably, like choosing foods or habits that align with my values.