From its inception, the Centre’s intention has been to work for change by going beyond the conventions of pure research and academic neutrality. Action research was a direct outcome of this strategy and came to be most fully realised in the Project in West Bengal. Combining women’s grassroots’ empowerment with enhanced livelihood skills, the Project gave hitherto marginalised rural women a voice in shaping their lives and that of their communities. Our action research projects have demonstrated how grassroots women’s organisations – otherwise the most remote from institutions of higher education – can be partners in the production of knowledge about women’s lives and struggles.
Centre for Women's Development Studies
An autonomous research institute supported by the Indian Council of Social Science Research