Dr. Farah Usmani is a distinguished international health and development expert who has dedicated her career to advancing the rights of women and girls. As the visionary founder of the “Rising Beyond The Ceiling” (RBTC) initiative, she has created a powerful platform to challenge stereotypes and celebrate the diverse achievements of Muslim women in India.
With an impressive 25-year career in the United Nations International Civil Service, Dr. Usmani worked extensively with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). She rose to the director level at the UNFPA Headquarters in New York, where she focused on the critical issues of women’s and girls’ reproductive health and rights. Her professional journey is marked by several trailblazing achievements; she was the first woman student to top the pre-medical examination merit list at Aligarh Muslim University and later became the first Muslim woman from India to hold a director-level position within the UN International Civil Service in New York.
The inspiration for her groundbreaking RBTC initiative came from an unexpected encounter. A male journalist in New York remarked to Dr. Usmani that she was the first Indian Muslim woman he had ever spoken with. This moment was a revelation, making her realise the profound invisibility of millions of Indian Muslim women despite their significant and creative contributions to society. Motivated to change this narrow and often negative narrative, she founded RBTC in April 2020.
The mission of RBTC is to document, showcase, and celebrate the accomplishments of Muslim women across a wide spectrum of fields, including government service, medicine, law, sports, literature, and entrepreneurship. By curating and publishing the inspiring stories of 100 female achievers from different states, the project directly counters monolithic stereotypes of Muslim women as being solely oppressed or socio-economically backward. Instead, it presents a rich tapestry of success, resilience, and leadership, providing visible and relatable role models for younger generations. The initiative has been instrumental in creating a new, empowering narrative that highlights the crucial role Muslim women play in nation-building.
Beyond her work with RBTC, Dr. Usmani serves as the Global Vice President of the SAFAR Foundation, a philanthropic organisation focused on marginalised and minority communities in India. Her tireless efforts have been recognised with numerous honours, including the British Council and Joint-Japan World Bank Merit Fellowships, and most notably, the Mahatma Award for Social Impact in 2021 for her work with women, girls, and minorities. Through her global platform and unwavering commitment, Dr. Farah Usmani has effectively challenged prevailing prejudice and inspired a more inclusive and accurate understanding of Indian Muslim women.