“What is your wish for this International Women’s Day?”

This is what we asked eight women from diverse fields. From wanting access to education and healthcare for all to the freedom to choose careers and becoming self-reliant, their responses reflect the work that still needs to be done to build an equal and inclusive world.
We all know that women are at the forefront of development in their households and communities. Their contributions matter in every sphere, yet achieving gender equality is still a far-off goal.

Through our Women’s Empowerment sector, we work to create a network of support for women and enable them to achieve economic independence through sanghams. Our Social Action Teams (SATs) at the village level, which include both men and women and people with disabilities, address issues like early marriage and gender discrimination. RDT also conducts workshops with adolescents and both women and men to address these issues.

Here are the women’s stories and their wishes for the 8th of March:

Renuka, Nurse In-Charge, RDT Kalyandurg Hospital

“My wish is that no woman should consider herself any lesser than a man and hesitate to voice what she thinks.”

©Rama Mohan/RDT

Renuka leads a team of 124 nurses at Kalyandurg Hospital. The hospital remained open throughout the lockdown, even during the initial months when many private centers decided to close. She struggled with her own fears while encouraging her team to move forward. She organized motivational sessions for all the nurses and support staff working at the hospital. Now she is back to normal duty but is more aware than ever that women need to stand on their feet and not let anyone to treat them as inferiors, on March 8th or any other day.

Annapurna, Farmer and Mother

“My wish is that all women earn enough money to become independent and have the freedom to decide what to do with their money.”

©Felita Viegas/RDT

Annapurna works as a day laborer in a remote tribal village in the Kalyandurg region.  She could not study beyond primary school but she is committed to ensuring a different future for her children.

Mahalakshmi, Student

“My wish is that all girls can access education and do not face any trouble on her way to or back from school”

©Cristòfol Oliver/RDT

Mahalakshmi, a high school student in a Government School, had to walk over 5 KM every day to attend classes. In 2017, RDT’s Education Sector provided her with a bicycle. Since then, she has been able to travel faster and more safely to her classes. Now she can study harder because she is less tired at the end of the day and has enough energy to study, do her homework and help her family.

Pranusha, RDT Bathalapalli Hospital

“My wish is that all women have access to basic healthcare and realize that their health and well-being also matters.”

©Rama Mohan/RDT

Dr. Pranusha has been working in the Internal Medicine department of RDT’s Bathalapalli Hospital for over two years. In 2020, she was on COVID duty at the Bathalapalli COVID Center. Though she is now back to her normal duties, she says she will never forget what she and her team have been through.

Lavanya, student at RDT Professional School of Foreign Languages

“I wish that all women have the freedom to choose their careers and that they will get equal pay for equal work. Men and women belong to the same society, so why the inequality?”

©Tahiya Tarannum S/RDT

Lavanya is one of 170 students enrolled in RDT’s Professional School. Passionate about languages, she has decided to learn German.

Nara Vani, Orthopedic technician

“My wish is that in any job, discussion or aspect of life, women’s opinions and work are valued, listened to and respected. There is nothing that a woman cannot do!”

©Archive/RDT

Nara Vani joined the RDT orthopedic technicians’ team in 1996. Since then, she has dedicated her life to ensuring that people with disabilities have access to proper prosthetics and mobility devices. She is currently working in Bathalapalli Orthopedic workshop with a team of 10 other committed technicians.

Anusha, Sportsperson

“My wish is that one day in all the courts and sports fields, there will be as many girls as boys playing sports and that every family will encourage their daughters to play sports.”

©Beatriz Polo/RDT

Hailing from a remote village in Anantapur, Anusha was introduced to cricket by the physical education teacher at her school in 2014. She decided to take part in a rural cricket tournament organized by the Anantapur Sports Academy (ASA) and went on to play in the BCCI Under-19 Women’s League, which her team won.

Varalakshmi, Tailor

“My wish is that all women stand united and support each other. Only then we will be happy.”

©Felita Viegas/RDT

Varalakshmi became a widow at a young age with two sons to take care of. She is currently attending a one-year tailoring training program in Kalyandurg with 30 other women from four villages.

These wishes are shared by women all over the world. Working towards gender equality must be a conscious effort that is a part of our everyday lives. This International Women’s Day, let’s pledge to work together to challenge biases and inequality and celebrate the achievements of women and girls.

Text: Aina Valldaura and Felita Viegas, adapted by Vicente Ferrer Foundation USA