Be Inspired by Dr. Anamika Priyadarshini: A Purpose-Driven Commitment to Women’s Economic Empowerment
“My story spans both the development sector and academia, showing how personal inspiration—from my mother's influence to my volunteering experiences—can shape a professional path that makes a meaningful difference in the world.”
In the heart of India, among some of the most economically marginalized communities, Anamika Priyadarshini’s journey is not just a personal narrative, but a testament to the transformative power of education, passion, and unwavering commitment. Through her work with women home-based workers, silk spinners, rural farmers, and entrepreneurs, Anamika has reshaped the economic landscape for countless women, providing them not only with income opportunities but also with dignity and recognition for their labor. Central to her journey was a 2008 grant from Margaret McNamara Education Grants (MMEG), which enabled her to pursue her doctoral research and remain committed in her passion for women’s economic empowerment.
A Legacy of Social Work: Inspired by Her Mother
Anamika’s commitment to social justice was nurtured from an early age by her mother, a dedicated social worker affiliated with Sulabh International and various grassroots organizations. “As a college student, I accompanied her to the office as well as the communities she worked with, witnessing firsthand impact of her work,” Anamika recalls. Her mother was leading a center that provided decent livelihood opportunities to extremely marginalized communities traditionally engaged in sanitation work, including the manual cleaning of public spaces and toilets. While most of the community members made cane furniture in small collectives and cooperatives, some were also running small home-based production units. Observing her mother’s dedication to facilitate access to decent work and dignified life to people from extremely marginalized households ignited her passion for socioeconomic justice. This experience became the foundation for her undergraduate project at Patna University, where she focused on home-based women workers. She realized that these laborers, despite their economic contributions, were invisible in the workforce. They lacked recognition, fair wages, and access to markets.
Bridging Academia and Development
Anamika’s academic journey began with an undergraduate degree in economics, followed by hands-on training sessions on gender and work and gender and reproductive health—critical concerns in India, where high birth rates and limited healthcare access disproportionately affect women. Determined to bridge research with real-world change, she pursued a Master’s in International Development at Cornell University with a Ford Foundation Fellowship. Here, she deepened her understanding of academia’s role in shaping policy and advocacy for marginalized women. “I realized that I wanted to teach gender and development, to influence future generations and shape policies that truly address women’s economic realities,” she explains.
Her resolve was tested when she embarked on a PhD in Gender Global and Sexuality Studies at the University at Buffalo. With limited departmental funding, her ability to conduct archival research on 19th-century home-based women workers in Bihar was at risk. It was the MMEG grant that changed everything, allowing her to return to India, collect essential data, and complete her doctoral dissertation. “MMEG enabled me to stay true to my passion, to gather the insights I needed, and to turn my research into actionable change,” she says.
From Research to Impact: Advancing Women’s Economic Stability
Anamika’s research has had profound real-world implications. Through policy analysis, impact assessments, and on-the-ground interventions, she has helped rural women secure fair wages, improved working conditions, and sustainable economic opportunities. Her involvement with the World Bank’s JEEViKA project in Bihar allowed her to refine strategies that directly increased women’s earnings and economic resilience. By seamlessly integrating academic research with development practice, she ensures that women’s voices and contributions are both recognized and rewarded. In the past ten years, Anamika specifically focused on underscoring women’s contribution to the society and economy through her research while working with think tanks like Council for Social Development and organizations like the Centre for Catalyzing Change (C3). She had primarily been interested in unravelling complex nuances of socio-economic norms that shape women’s preparedness to work and other leadership roles.
From Weaving to Farming: Strengthening Women’s Livelihoods
Currently working with Heifer International and its subsidiary, Passing Gifts, [MP1] Anamika supports women farmers in diversifying their agricultural practices, from goatry and poultry farming to regenerative agriculture. “Women constitute 63% of India’s agricultural workforce, yet most remain marginal or landless farmers. Economic stability requires diversification. Even five to ten goats alongside a small agricultural plot can provide a sustainable living income,” she emphasizes. Her goal is to facilitate Passing Gifts in creating direct, tangible impact by equipping women with the tools they need to achieve financial independence.
Building Knowledge for Lasting Change
As Director of Knowledge Management, Research and Design at Passing Gifts- Heifer International, Anamika plays a pivotal role in translating grassroots insights into impact briefs and programmatic strategies. “Along with envisioning need-based research concepts and projects, we create knowledge briefs that amplify rural women’s voices, ensuring that interventions are rooted in real challenges and solutions from the field,” she explains.
Anamika’s influence extends beyond development practice to academia. She has taught at premier institutions, including the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and the State University of New York at Buffalo, and contributed to government-commissioned research on migration studies in Indian states like Karnataka and Bihar; post-disaster development planning in the ecologically fragile Himalayan state of Uttarakhand; and women’s workforce participation in India. Balancing academia and practice allows her to inform students—the leaders of tomorrow—about pressing social issues while designing data-driven, effective development programs.
A Vision for the Future: Mentorship and Advocacy
Despite her extensive contributions, Anamika remains most passionate about mentoring the next generation. “I have a deep connection with young minds and students,” she shares, underscoring her commitment to bridging academic knowledge with real-world change.
The Transformative Power of One
Anamika’s story is a powerful reminder that one person’s dedication, when supported by the right opportunities, can create exponential impact. The MMEG grant was not just an investment in her education—it was an investment in the thousands of women she has facilitated through her work.
By documenting the struggles of home-based workers, advocating for better economic policies, and shaping the perspectives of future leaders, Anamika has redefined the economic trajectory for some of India’s most vulnerable women.
Her journey proves that empowering one woman can enable several communities, making “The Power of One” a reality for many.
Yet, as Anamika acknowledges, systemic barriers, economic inequality, and gender-based discrimination persist. “The world is still plagued by war, displacement, and hunger,” she reflects. “But grants like MMEG’s enable people like me to dream—to stay committed to meaningful work rather than just surviving.”
Despite these challenges, she remains unwavering in her mission. “I have a cause, a reason, a dream to live for—and that matters.”
Anamika’s journey is a compelling reminder that investing in women is not just about economic inclusion—it is about recognizing them as leaders, changemakers, and visionaries. When women are empowered to pursue their passions, they enable communities, driving the world toward a more just and equitable future.
