Wezen India is dedicated to advancing a gender‑responsive and inclusive India by informing development decisions through evidence and citizen‑led knowledge. Our work is rooted in the belief that inclusive growth requires not only sound policies but also the active participation of communities whose voices shape those policies.
We focus on strengthening economic and social policy through research, training, and consulting services. By building on existing frameworks across diverse sectors, we foster informed debate and encourage data‑led decision‑making. Our approach is solutions‑driven: rather than highlighting problems alone, we emphasize practical pathways that lead to sustainable and equitable development.
Our initiatives span multiple urban and rural development domains — including gender‑responsive agriculture, irrigation, health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, climate change, housing, transport, logistics to broader social reforms related to violence against women and girls and accessibility challenges for people with disability. We collaborate with stakeholders across government, civil society, and academia to ensure that knowledge is not only generated but also applied to real‑world challenges.
At Wezen India, we believe that evidence and citizen voices together create the foundation for meaningful change. By combining rigorous analysis with participatory knowledge, we aim to contribute to a future where development decisions are inclusive, equitable, and transformative.
Dharmistha is an economist by training with around 26 years of experience in gender and social development in South Asia, especially India. She works for various International organisations like Asian Development Bank (ADB), UN Women, UNICEF, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Oxfam International as well as national NGOs like Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, Gramin Vikas Trust and Mahila Housing SEWA Trust in India. The key focus of her work is promoting a gender and social inclusion lens and participatory agenda across all levels of governance through research, policy advocacy, budgetary reforms and development of knowledge products.