Trustees

Nirmala Sathe

B.A. L.L.B., Diploma in Journalism

Nirmala Sathe is a member of Shramik Mahila Sangathana (Dhulia), Stree Atyachar Virodhi Manch and Women's Center (Mumbai). She is a founder member of Stree Mukti Sanghatana (Mumbai) and a trustee and active member of Aalochana, Center for Documentation and Research on Women (Pune).

Anwar Rajan

B.Com

Anwar Rajan is associated with Yuvak Kranti Dal, PUCL, Pakistan India Peoples Forum for Peace and Democracy, and Pragatisheel Bharatiya Muslim Andolan. He worked with Kesari, Vanarai and BAIF, and was detained under MISA for 15 months during the emergency period (1975-1977). He remained active in movements under Jayaprakash Narain, Muslim Satya Shodhak Mandal, and served as Secretary of Rashtra Seva Dal (Central Committee).

Anita Borkar

M.A. Social Work · Chairperson

Anita Borkar is a member of the governing council and programme team of Abhivyakti. She leads programme design and facilitation on interpersonal, team and organisational effectiveness for voluntary organisations, life skills programmes for families, media literacy for young people, and sexuality education for adolescents. She is also a member of Avani, a collaborative women's leadership and learning space.

Dr. Manisha Gupte

M.Sc (Microbiology), PhD (Sociology)

Manisha Gupte has been part of the women's movement since the mid-1970s and has worked extensively in health and civil rights. She co-founded MASUM in 1987 and has been its co-convenor since then. She was a visiting fellow at Johns Hopkins University and has supported progressive organisations nationally and internationally through advisory, training, and board roles. She coordinated the 10th International Women and Health Meeting (IWHM), New Delhi, 2005.

Dr. Ramesh Awasthi

PhD (Tech) Chemical Engineering, M.A. Economics

Ramesh Awasthi has been active in civil liberties struggles in India since the early 1970s. He co-founded MASUM in 1987 and has been its co-convenor since then. A visiting fellow at Johns Hopkins University, he has contributed significantly to economic empowerment of rural communities, child labour interventions, minority rights advancement, and national-level NGO capacity building and participatory review processes.

Ms. Gurjeet Kaur

Social Development Professional

Gurjeet Kaur is an experienced social development professional with strong expertise in designing and managing large-scale programmes, campaigns, and strategic partnerships in women's rights, gender-based violence, food security, livelihoods, inclusive education, and humanitarian response. She has conducted extensive trainings on gender, human rights, gender mainstreaming, gender audit, SRHR, and sensitisation of men and youth.