Last year, Circle of Hope trained 100 women with disability in self-defense techniques and life skills.
AIF Circle of Hope, a Boston-based initiative that brings women philanthropists together to work toward American India Foundation’s programs impacting women and girls in India, kicked off its activities for the third year on September 19.
This year, the Circle of Hope Boston will provide a $25,000 grant to train 500 girls and women with disabilities in self-defense in the Delhi area.
The kickoff event was hosted by AIF Circle of Hope founding members Farida Kathawalla and Nirmala Garimella.
“One in five women are women with disabilities and they are leading the way towards inclusive disability and women’s rights movement around the world,” said Diana Samarasan, founding Executive Director of the Disabilities Rights Fund, in a press release.
The Fund is an advocacy group that works to shape policy and lobby governments to pay attention to disabilities rights issues.
Samarasan said that her group puts people of disabilities in the decision-making process, which is critical to their work. “Women everywhere in the world who have some form of disability are the most vulnerable and need support,” she said. “Many of them live in rural areas and do not have access to the opportunities and benefits that can help them.”
Last year, Circle of Hope members had funded a program called “Raise Women with Disability in Social Engagement, which trained 100 women with disability in self-defense techniques and life skills.
Besides co-founders Kathawalla and Garimella, other members of Circle of Hope are Preetha Chally, Neeru Oberoi, Pratima Srinivasan, Nalini Sharma, Anu Chitrapu, Mona Godbole, Namita Krishnan, Sangita Thakore, Asha Shah, Maegan Oberoi,Tanuja Sud, Mithu Bhargava, Vibhu Nagral, Deepa Acharya-Gupta, Sharda Kaul and Alankrita Narang.
“For me, personally, I never realized that rights, policies and implementation for the disabled requires private funding,” said Oberoi.
“Beautiful warm evening and thought-provoking insight into giving and supporting people with disabilities,” added Nagral.
“I am glad that COH is continuing the self defense program that teaches women to take care of themselves,” said Sud.
Annual membership fee for AIF Circle of Hope is $1,100. The group’s mission is to “Inspire, educate and empower women philanthropists through the power of collective giving to positively impact the lives of underprivileged girls and women in India.”