Achievements for the Year of 2023 & 2024
The Citizens Rights & Development Network (CRDN), a prominent women-led organization founded in 2017, has consistently advocated for women’s empowerment and the rights of marginalized communities in the Newly Merged Districts (NMDs). Deeply committed to inclusivity, equality, and social justice, CRDN has made remarkable strides in the past year.
In 2024, CRDN continued enhancing the quality of life for women, girls, transgender individuals, and people with disabilities through technical skills training, educational opportunities, and robust advocacy for rights-based initiatives. These achievements reflect CRDN’s unwavering dedication to transforming the lives of often overlooked communities.
1. Expansion of Technical Skills Training for Women
CRDN made substantial progress in empowering women through vocational and technical skills development in 2024. Aimed at enhancing women’s economic independence, the organization launched new skill-building programs tailored to the needs of women in rural and underserved areas of NMDs. These programs covered sectors such as information technology (IT), healthcare, agriculture, and artisan crafts.
By leveraging partnerships with local and international organizations, CRDN successfully conducted over 150 skill development workshops, training more than 25,000 women. The training programs focused on technical skills and incorporated entrepreneurship modules to equip women with the tools necessary to start and manage their businesses. A notable achievement was the introduction of an online learning platform for women with limited access to traditional educational institutions.
2. Girls’ Education Initiatives in NMDs
CRDN’s commitment to advancing girls’ education in NMDs was evident in its educational programs aimed at overcoming challenges girls face in accessing quality education. In 2024, CRDN established new community-based schools in remote areas, providing free education, learning materials, and scholarships to girls from disadvantaged families. Through partnerships with local education authorities and other NGOs, CRDN offered specialized programs ensuring girls received academic education, vocational training, and life skills.
CRDN also launched a nationwide advocacy campaign in 2024 aimed at policy reform in the education sector, calling for gender-sensitive policies and increased investment in girls’ education in marginalized regions. These efforts influenced local governments to allocate more resources toward education for girls, resulting in new classrooms, more female teachers, and higher enrollment rates. Across 15 districts, school enrollment rates for girls increased by 30%, with significant improvements in graduation rates.
3. Transgender and Disabilities Rights Advocacy
In 2024, CRDN continued to advocate for the rights of transgender individuals and people with disabilities. CRDN launched legal awareness campaigns and community outreach programs focused on promoting social inclusion and equal treatment. A key achievement was the organization’s involvement in drafting a comprehensive policy on transgender rights, including provisions for legal recognition of gender identity, anti-discrimination laws, and access to healthcare and education.
For individuals with disabilities, CRDN organized campaigns to raise awareness about their challenges in accessing healthcare, education, and employment. CRDN also advocated for disability-friendly infrastructures in public spaces. One major success was establishing a network of vocational training centers specifically designed for people with disabilities, offering specialized skills training, career counseling, and job placement services.
4. Strengthening Community Leadership and Advocacy
CRDN believes in the power of community leadership to drive social change. In 2024, the organization strengthened local leadership through women’s empowerment and rights-based advocacy programs. CRDN trained over 1,000 women leaders across 20 districts, equipping them with the skills to advocate for the rights of women and marginalized groups in their communities.
These women leaders led grassroots initiatives to reduce gender-based violence, promote economic empowerment, and improve access to education and healthcare. By empowering local women to lead, CRDN ensured that the voices of women and marginalized groups were not only heard but acted upon.
5. Partnerships and Advocacy for Policy Change
In 2024, CRDN saw significant achievements in policy reform through collaborations with national and international organizations. The organization successfully lobbied for increased government funding for women’s empowerment programs, educational initiatives for girls, and the inclusion of transgender and disability rights in national legislation.
As a result, key policy reforms were implemented, including gender-responsive budgeting in government programs, a national task force on transgender rights, and stricter anti-discrimination laws for people with disabilities. These victories were a testament to CRDN’s advocacy teams’ tireless efforts and commitment to creating lasting systemic change.
CRDN’s achievements in 2023 and 2024 exemplify its dedication to empowering marginalized communities. Through its technical skills training programs, educational initiatives, advocacy campaigns, and policy reforms, CRDN continues to break down barriers and open up opportunities for women, girls, transgender individuals, and people with disabilities. As the organization looks ahead, it remains committed to creating a more just, equitable, and inclusive society for all.
