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Leadership programme for differently abled women launched

IN A FIRST: Programme is an extension of Rising Flame’s work with women with disabilities in India

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Nidhi Goyal, founder and executive director of Rising Flames
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On Thursday afternoon, at the click of a button, six women got into a year-long first-of-its-kind national leadership programme in India for women with disabilities. I Can Lead, an initiative by Rising Flames, which looks to give opportunities to women in India with disabilities was launched online through Facebook from Mumbai. Recorded messages of Rekha Sharma, chairperson for the national commission for women and Kamla Bhasin were played.

"Women with special abilities they really have rare chances to go out and work because of the mindset of the people. The way they are treated starting from family and outside. Not many are working in this field and I am happy that a program is being launched. They can look to contribute in New India," said Sharma's online message.

Nidhi Goyal, founder and executive director of Rising Flames, said, "There are lots of barriers in their growth, development and progress. Our prospects are even more narrowed by social stigma, protectionism and inaccessible public spaces. You start believing that you cannot do it if people constantly keep telling you you cannot do it. At that time being both women and disabled become very complex as a reality."

She added, "As a result, we live within a highly discriminated environment, where we are considered incapable, asexual, and are dehumanized. Due to lack of support, families and society not investing time, effort, or other resources in their development and growth, women with disabilities are often functionally excluded from building an independent and productive future for themselves and for others. This is why a program like 'I Can Lead' is very much needed."

Rising Flame works towards people with disabilities. The program is an extension of Rising Flame's work with women and youth with disabilities in India and has been birthed from a need to equip women with disabilities with leadership skills and invest intensively in their progress and growth.

The six fellows who were shortlisted for the program are in the age group of 20 to 35 years. Each will have a mentor to themselves. The multilayered mentoring and support program is a 20-day program spread as continuous contact over the year-80% of which will be online and 20% will be in person. There is no fee attached to the program.

"Four of the six mentors are themselves disabled including me. They will support them in self-development and professional growth through four pillars into which the support is distributed," said Nidhi. These include individualised mentoring by pairing the fellow with a mentor best suited, curriculum, counselling and peer learning.

"I see immense opportunities of learning and growth in this program that will help us follow our passions in life relentlessly and bring about a meaningful change," said Pratishtha Deveshwar, one of the fellows.

IN A NUTSHELL

  • The six fellows who were shortlisted for the program are in the age group of 20 to 35 years.
  • Each will have a mentor to themselves.
  • The mentoring and support program is a 20-day program spread as continuous contact over the year-80% of which will be online
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