Madhu Kishwar is the founder of Manushi Sangathan, an organisation committed to strengthening democratic rights and women’s rights in India. She is the founder editor of Manushi - A Journal About Women and Society that has been published continuously since 1978. Her research at CSDS on the theme “Laws, Liberty and Livelihoods,” is aimed at giving a pro-poor direction to economic reforms in India. Kishwar is also the Director of the Indic Studies Project and Convenor of International Conferences on Religions and Cultures in the Indic Civilization.

M. Kishwar is a member of the following organizations, among others: National Commission on Enterprises in the Unorganised and Informal Sector set up by the Government of India in 2005; Executive Committee, Editor’s Guild of India (1991 onward). Board of Trustees, Indian Social Studies Trust (1997 to date); Board of Governors, Janagraha, Bangalore. Her recent books include, Deepening Democracy: Challenges of Governance and Globalisation in India, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 2005; Off the Beaten Track: Rethinking Gender Justice for Indian Women, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 1999; Rashtriyata ki Chakri Mein Dharm, (Hindi), Vani Prakashan, 2005.

M. Kishwar also makes documentary films on a variety of themes in order to mobilise opinion on important issues. These include, Dowry: Compulsion vs. Need. The social and economic dynamics behind the spread of the culture of dowry despite stringent legislation; The Disinheritance of Women from Family Property; License Permit Raj: a View from Below (Study of street vendors and rickshaw pullers in Delhi). Her latest work for Doordarshan was commissioned under the Agenda for India series; it includes thirteen episodes entitled “Kisse Kanoon Ke” reviewing the actual workings and impact of various laws enacted ostensibly to protect or strengthen women’s rights in India.