International Women’s Day 2022: #BreakTheBias against disability
Stories | March 20, 2023
Over the past decade, much of the world moved towards greater gender equality.
For women all over the world, this has meant less discrimination and a greater recognition of their capabilities. However, while this is a step in the right direction, we are by no means living in a gender equal world. This is especially true for women with disabilities.
On March the 8th, please help CBM reject discrimination, break inequality, and tear down stereotypes by celebrating International Women’s Day, and the 2022 theme: #BreakTheBias.
CBM is committed to creating more positive futures for vulnerable women in some of the poorest parts of the world. In Bangladesh, CBM have been supporting partners to implement a project focusing on promoting the rights of people with disabilities, including women and girls.
A recent evaluation shows how the project has worked with Self-Help Groups (SHGs), government bodies and the private sector to promote disability inclusion in policies and services.
To ensure that women benefited from the project, initiatives were taken to create a path of empowerment for women with disabilities. This included ensuring that at least 40 per cent of people in SHGs were women, and establishing women-only groups. Becoming a member of a SHG gave women with disabilities an opportunity to participate in training on leadership and disability rights. Not only did this give them the confidence and knowledge to advocate for their rights, but it also encourages them to become change agents, training and mobilising other women with disabilities to claim their rights, access services, and gain employment.
Through this process, women with disabilities have been able to open many closed doors of opportunities.
To hear some of their stories, please click the links below:
- Salma: a story of hope and transformation
- Khaleda fights for greater disability inclusion in Bangladesh
- Humaira leads the way for people with disabilities in her community
CBM acknowledges the support of the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
https://www.cbm.org.au/stories/international-womens-day-2022