International Women’s Day 2025 by Dr. Sara Varughese, Managing Trustee, CBM India Trust

By-Dr. Sara Varughese, Managing Trustee, CBM India Trust

“This year’s International Women’s Day focuses on two themes, ‘For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment’ and ‘Accelerate Action’. Both call for urgent, transformative strides toward gender equity. Achieving this requires society to ensure that all women, including women with disabilities and those from other marginalized groups, have equal voice, rights, and opportunities.

Data shows that women with disabilities face a double burden, as discrimination based on gender and disability reinforce each other. Beyond the employment gap where only 23% of women with disabilities have jobs compared to 47% of men with disabilities (UNDP), they also experience reduced access to education, healthcare, and political representation. Addressing these inequalities demands sustained efforts to create fair opportunities and participation at every level.

At CBM India, we believe that accelerating action means systematically dismantling the structural barriers excluding women and enabling their full engagement in education, health, livelihoods, and community development.

Our commitment to gender equity is demonstrated through some of our past and present initiatives. One example is an inclusive garment production unit we set up in Karnataka, which provided vocational training and employment to women with and without disabilities. Another is Sankalp, a women’s credit cooperative we established in Maharashtra with over 9,000 women members. Our humanitarian action efforts include a women-led mangrove reforestation project, while our healthcare initiatives extend to marginalized communities through an eye health program for trans women in Hyderabad.

On this International Women’s Day, we renew our dedication to advancing gender justice and disability inclusion. We are committed to creating spaces where every woman participates with dignity and autonomy. Together, we can drive collective action toward a society where rights and equity are realized for all women and girls, today and every day.”