Welcome to MASUM

MASUM was co-founded by Dr. Manisha Gupte and Dr. Ramesh Awasthi in 1987 during their five-year stay in the drought-prone Purandar block of Pune district. The organization emerged from a strong commitment to women’s rights, both within and beyond the household, grounded in a feminist perspective and a human rights approach.

At its core, MASUM believes that people can collectively resolve their own challenges with appropriate external support. Rather than fostering dependency, the organization focuses on strengthening democratic values, equality, secularism, and social justice. To ensure active community participation in decision-making, MASUM primarily engages local staff—especially women from marginalized rural communities. Since its inception, the organization has emphasized leadership development among subordinated groups, building a strong second line of leadership and consciously avoiding family-based succession.

MASUM works closely with rural women in the drought-prone regions of Pune and Ahmednagar districts in Maharashtra. Recognizing that women are not a homogeneous group, the organization addresses the intersection of caste, class, religion, and patriarchy, with a focus on marginalized and minority communities.

Key initiatives include promoting women’s right to health, supporting savings and credit groups (SHGs), addressing gender-based violence, and fostering progressive perspectives among youth. MASUM also strengthens women’s political participation, both as elected representatives and informed citizens. Additional efforts include promoting child rights through village-level children’s councils (Bal Panchayats) and advancing women’s rights to property ownership. While men are encouraged to participate, leadership remains centered on women. All programs are interconnected to ensure a holistic realization of human rights.

At the state and national levels, MASUM is committed to training and capacity building for NGOs, CBOs, and other stakeholders to enhance access to economic, social, and cultural (ESC) rights. The organization is widely recognized for its expertise in gender, health rights, ESC rights, CEDAW, violence against women, and Dalit and minority rights. MASUM also actively participates in campaigns and networks that promote women’s rights from local to international platforms.