WILD Scales Up in 18 Countries
The 2025 Women’s Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD) alumni are leading powerful programs and transforming the lives of women and girls with disabilities in 18 countries: Armenia, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Colombia, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Liberia, Malawi, Mexico, Mozambique, Pakistan, Peru, Romania, Tanzania, Thailand and Zimbabwe. For IWD 2026, we are proud to showcase three impactful WILD trainings completed in Benin, Guatemala and Indonesia.
Read a summary of each project below; follow the links to the full stories.
Building Community at the WILD–Indonesia Training
In Indonesia, WILD delegate Aisyah Ardani led a three-day leadership and advocacy training for 24 women with diverse disabilities. The program began with a dynamic session on disability leadership and advocacy, featuring guest advocates who shared their lived experiences and strategies for change.
Participants also took part in an empowering Muay Thai and self-defense workshop. One participant reflected, “I became braver and more confident when I had to be alone because I had the knowledge to defend myself.”
Through AI and cybersecurity training, participants developed group Action Plans, proposing projects ranging from producing documentaries to reduce stigma to delivering healthcare access trainings for disabled women.
Combatting Gender-based Violence in Guatemala
On November 25, observed globally as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in honor of the Mirabal sisters, WILD Delegate Pahola Solano led a workshop for 22 Guatemalan women with disabilities focused on understanding legal protections, recognizing abuse, and reporting violence.
The training launched two groundbreaking visibility initiatives: a forthcoming book highlighting the experiences of disabled women in Guatemala and the country’s first calendar featuring women with disabilities. Participants also developed action plans to continue advocacy efforts, including future virtual trainings and a public march to promote ending violence.
One WILD-Guatemala participant reflected: “I’m leaving different than when I arrived because now, I know my rights better.”
Empowering Leaders at WILD–Benin
Woezon Digital Inclusion Bridge (WDIB), led by WILD Delegate Marlise Montcho, hosted a leadership training in Benin for 22 women with diverse disabilities. A powerful panel of women leaders shared their journeys from self-doubt to collective action, motivating one participant to say, “I no longer see myself as a victim, but as a leader.”
The training also incorporated an inclusive soap-making activity to build cross-disability solidarity and creativity. Participants concluded by developing advocacy action plans focused on a range of topics, such as mentoring young disabled women, advocacy for mental health, sexual and reproductive health, and maternal care.
Marlise reflected on the experience: “The training reinforced WDIB’s commitment to building bridges, strengthening inclusion, and empowering women with disabilities to lead change in their communities. Together, we build bridges. Together, we change lives.”
Going WILD at CSW70
We are excited to share that MIUSA will be hosting a virtual Parallel Event as part of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) NGO Forum!
This virtual event features a global panel of women leaders with diverse disabilities who are advancing efforts to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in their countries. All panelists are alumni of the Women’s Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD), MIUSA’s signature program that has trained thousands of women worldwide. Speakers will discuss how WILD strengthened their leadership and advocacy skills and share examples of disabled women-led GBV and access to justice initiatives. An interactive audience discussion will highlight best practices, global collaboration, and the critical role of women with disabilities leading change.
Register for the CSW70 NGO Forum to attend.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM EDT (7:30 AM – 9:00 AM PDT)
Meeting Platform: Zoom
Access: International Sign Language interpretation and real-time English captions provided
Contact: Suz Dunn, sdunn@miusa.org
Brilliant & Resilient: Celebrating the Power of Disabled Women Activists
Join us in celebration of International Women’s Day and consider making a donation or purchasing the poignant and powerful Brilliant & Resilient Photo Book.
Your support will help fund MIUSA’s future women’s leadership programs, such as the upcoming 2026 Advanced WILD program, bringing together WILD women from over 91 countries in a vibrant, hybrid global gathering.
