To celebrate International Women's Day, we want to tell you about of some of the women we work with around the world, whose stories are truly inspirational.

Tackling issues of domestic violence against women, Punnam Toppo has battled a traumatic childhood to become a successful campaigner. Today she works for the Association of Social and Human Awareness (ASHA), empowering local women in Jarkhand, India, the area in which she grew up.

From the age of eight Punnam was forced to work as a domestic help, to support her mother following her father’s death. Feeding five hungry mouths was no easy task and Punnam’s mother passed away shortly after her husband. Taken in by a reluctant relative, Punnam worked in fields, selling grass and firewood to make ends meet so she could continue with her education.

Just when the family managed to ensure a decent life for themselves, the village ojha declared the children’s grandmother to be a witch who devoured the lives of the villagers. Soon after this pronouncement, a man in the village died. The villagers stormed into Punam’s home, beating up all the family members. Barred from entering people’s homes and the marketplace, the family were declared as ‘social outcasts’ by the community and persecuted mercilessly. Known locally as the ‘witch’s children’, Punnam and her siblings were brutally beaten if anyone set sight on them on the streets.

Eventually, tired of the constant abuse, Punnam moved to Ranchi to finish her education. It was there that she was able to obtain a small grant and set up Mahila Sangathon, an organisation which works to improve the lives of slum dwellers. Today the organisation covers 32 slum colonies in Ranchi, holding regular rallies and protests in support of local community development. A big supporter of the arts, Punnam has been widely praised for using drama to create awareness on the issue of women being unfairly branded as witches.  Her play Gudkayan Daho has gained recognition all over Jharkhand and is giving people a better understanding of the ‘witch hunt’ violence that she suffered growing up.

With more than 10 years of experience in theatre, Punnam was awarded the "Best Change Maker” Youth Award, in 2004, presented through Oxfam. Meanwhile, she has also contributed to several inspirational documentary films including National Geographic’s Tantra, which focuses on the theme of witch hunters and a women’s rights film.

Meet Parul, another inpirational women working hard for child rights in India.