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The World Neurology Foundation has the following projects underway for 2009.

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Empowerment of Women with Epilepsy: Chennai, India

Over 60% of the world’s population of women who have epilepsy, about 2.5 M in number, live in India. 40% of these women lack the financial means to afford even the most basic needs and education. Other key challenges include social stigmatization, daily exposure to high risk activities, and meager governmental assistance.

Dr. Lakshmi Ranganathan of India developed this program in 2006 as a means of helping women of Chennai in achieving social and economic sufficiency despite the challenges of epilepsy. The program’s four components of vocational training, counseling, public awareness (training in advocacy, mass media) and treatment have together successfully transitioned over 200 women into low risk, high skill jobs.

2009 support from the World Neurology Foundation will help fund vocational and advocacy training for 120 women.