Formed in 1989, Initiatives: Women in Development (IWID), is an initiative of a group of women activists and academicians 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 has initiated and field tested Development Models. One such Development model is 'Group/Collective farming for Rural women' in which women share the labour and produce. This Development model is introduced to other Development organisations as well as to State. As a result, hundreds of women enjoy 'Food security'as well as the status of Farmers. 

IWID in order to create women space in decision making body, developed Training modules on Policy development and Legislative procedures.  Through these trainings, women were equipped with skill and knowledge to address the issues pertaining to them as well as society in all the fields - Education, Health, Social security, Service sector, Media, Culture, Industry, Labour, etc.  'Gross National Happiness -GNH' is the value adopted to develop the Budgets of the Model Women Assemblies/Parliament.  

IWID extends its specialised Training support under various subjects to anyone interested in learning. Refer our SERVICES section for further details.