On November 19th November 2024, Women with disabilities gathered for the third meeting of the Women with Disabilities (WwD) Forum, an initiative that’s breathing new life into a community often overlooked.

India is home to nearly 12 million women with disabilities, each facing a daily battle against discrimination, isolation, and limited opportunities. But in Nuh, these women are writing a different story.

This forum, born from the partnership between Caritas India and Roop V K Jain Foundation, is more than just a meeting. It’s a lifeline, a sisterhood, and a platform for voices long silenced. The partnership between Caritas India and the Roop V K Jain Foundation demonstrates how NGOs and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives can work together to create positive change. Their efforts include connecting people with disabilities to social security schemes, enhancing accessibility, promoting school enrollment, and forming self-help groups for income generation.

As the women settled in, the Caritas India team, shared topics close to their hearts – women’s empowerment, disability rights, and protection from domestic violence. The room buzzed with questions and shared experiences, a testament to the hunger for knowledge and support.

The forum is part of a larger Community-Based Rehabilitation project by Caritas India, aiming to support 450 persons with disabilities across 12 villages in Nuh, Haryana. It’s a grassroots movement, bringing change one meeting at a time. The impact of this initiative extends beyond the immediate beneficiaries. By bringing women with disabilities into the mainstream, the forum challenges societal norms and paves the way for a more inclusive future. It’s a reminder that true development leaves no one behind.

As the day progressed, the mood shifted from serious discussions to laughter and camaraderie. Women who once rarely left their homes shared stories, dreams, and planning for a future they never thought possible.

The impact of this initiative ripples far beyond the 195 women. It’s challenging age-old societal norms, changing family dynamics, and paving the way for a more inclusive community. These women, once confined by societal barriers, are now at the forefront of change, supported by organizations committed to their empowerment.
As the meeting drew to a close, the air was thick with hope and determination. These women, once confined by societal barriers, are now at the forefront of change. They’re not just dreaming of a better future; they’re actively creating it.

This forum is a step towards a society where love, equality, and peace are not just ideals but lived realities. It’s a powerful reminder that when we give voice to the voiceless, we all rise together.

As the women of Nuh return to their homes, they carry with them not just new knowledge, but a renewed sense of purpose. They are living proof that with the right support and opportunity, disability is not an inability. Their journey is just beginning, and Nuh – indeed, all of India – will be watching as these remarkable women continue to defy expectations and rewrite their stories.