Grass-roots NGOs by women for women: the driving force of development in India

Adopting an inter-disciplinary approach, this book provides an in-depth understanding of why Indian NGOs run by women for women, tend to be successful.

Based on first-hand observations spanning five years and interviews with 20 founders of NGOs, this book explores the factors that motivate and facilitate women entrepreneurship in the development sector. It examines the organizational structures that have evolved based on feminist ideology and the services provided (e.g. self-help groups and micro-finance).

The authors also discuss the social impact of these NGOs in promoting both development and women’s empowerment. They show how small NGOs are particularly effective in garnering support from the grass-roots and in tapping the knowledge base of local communities. Overall, the authors find that women entrepreneurs act as facilitators with a unique leadership style and that they encourage community-based movements grounded in local issues. As a result, these NGOs are successfully changing the landscape of rural poverty in India while ushering in sustainable development.