Women-Headed NGOs in India

Women-headed NGOs in India play a pivotal role in grassroots development, particularly in sectors such as education, health, women’s rights, rural livelihoods, and child welfare. These organizations often emerge from lived experiences, offering contextually grounded solutions to local challenges. However, despite their dedication and social impact, women-led NGOs face significant structural and systemic barriers.

Key challenges include limited access to institutional funding and capacity-building opportunities, marginalization in policy dialogues, and gender bias in leadership spaces. Many women leaders also juggle social expectations and caregiving responsibilities, which impact their networking, mobility, and ability to scale. Additionally, bureaucratic complexities around NGO registration, compliance, and project approvals disproportionately impact smaller, women-led initiatives.

To address these barriers and unlock the full potential of women-led civil society organizations, there is a strong case for organizing a national-level conclave. Such a platform would enable dialogue among women NGO leaders, policymakers, CSR donors, and development institutions. It…