Nafisa Barot

Member, Founder & Former Executive Director, Utthan

Nafisa Barot is the Founder and former Executive Director of Utthan, with over four decades of experience in building gender-sensitive institutions for the empowerment of rural and marginalized communities. Her pioneering work in coastal Gujarat led to the establishment of Utthan in 1981, grounded in women’s leadership and community participation. Under her leadership, Utthan became a nationally recognized model for integrating gender justice, water governance, and sustainable development. Nafisa has served on government task forces with CAPART, NABARD, the Planning Commission, and others. She co-founded several institutions including Mahiti, Development Support Centre, and the Working Group for Women and Land Ownership. Her thought leadership continues through her work with national platforms such as the Water Conflict Forum and Mahila Kisan Adhikar Manch. A recipient of the T.N. Khoshoo Memorial Award (2005) and the International Water Association’s Women in Water Award (2020), she is widely recognized for her contributions to gender equity and community-led water management. Nafisa continues to serve on Utthan’s board and mentors its new leadership while actively engaging in the fields of water, gender, and conflict transformation.