Formed in 1989, Initiatives: Women in Development (IWID), is an initiative of a group of women activists across India. As an advocacy; lobbying and resource organisation, we are focused on our commitment towards the empowerment of marginalized women both within NGOs and in the context of larger society. We accomplish this through capacity building of NGOs (both perspective and organizational), gender-sensitive policy advocacy at national and international platforms, creation of space and opportunities within NGOs for empowerment of women.

IWID in special consultative status with UN ECOSOC serves as a strong advocacy and lobby center at the UN level and acts as a link between grass root level and policy making bodies.

IWID Team is headed by Dr.Neelavalli, who has been engaged in Women's movement at different levels for nearly two decades. Her doctoral thesis traces the philosophy behind international women's movement. She exhibits her skill in  Training, Strategising campaigns,   Integrating media in campaigns and Lobbying. With a firm rooting in feminist perspective, she has authored papers on contemporary issues relating to Gender and Development and has facilitated a number of research studies on Gender and Development.

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