“If you get it right for women with disabilities, you get it right for all women.”
The recently concluded Zero Project India Conference 2024 featured an insightful panel discussion on WEDO – Women Entrepreneurs with Disabilities, moderated by Shriya Sethi from McKinsey & Company. The panel included speakers such as Aakanksha Gulati from ACT, Anubha Singhal from Enable Me Access Association, Anushka Thachil from Youth4Jobs Foundation, Uzoamaka Asiegbu from International Labour Organization, and Kanta Singh from UN Women, who shared valuable perspectives on empowering women with disabilities in entrepreneurship.
The session brought to light several critical issues affecting women with disabilities. Key challenges include inadequate accessibility, which hinders their full participation in society, and an increased risk of gender-based violence, including both cyber and domestic abuse. Additionally, many women with disabilities struggle to access quality education, severely limiting their growth opportunities.
The session also highlighted a notable lack of digital and financial literacy, creating a significant skills gap. Double discrimination compounds these challenges, leading to barriers in employment and social acceptance, while many women with disabilities are often subjected to home roles. Alarmingly, awareness of existing laws and support schemes remains low.
To combat these issues, the discussion emphasized several solutions.
Promoting startups can create inclusive solutions tailored to the unique challenges faced by women with disabilities. It is vital to encourage women to believe in their capabilities and advocate for themselves. Mentorship programs can further empower women in entrepreneurship, highlighting that this pathway can lead to empowerment and independence.
Aakanksha Gulati from ACT emphasized, "If we want to see innovation for women's issues, women and women with disabilities must lead that innovation and drive organizations from the front."
The session concluded with the launch of the second edition of the WEDO booklet, titled Women Entrepreneurs with Disabilities: Invisible to Visible Stories from South Asia, showcasing inspiring stories from Afghanistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal.
Overall, this session spotlighted a crucial yet often overlooked topic, advocating for greater visibility and support for women with disabilities.
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