Who we are
About DHARA
A women-led organisation working alongside communities in Bangladesh since October 2001.
Our Mission
Our mission is to uplift individuals and communities facing poverty, inequality, and social exclusion. Through impactful economic and social initiatives, we strive to create meaningful, sustainable change—enabling women and men to lead empowered, dignified lives and reach their full potential.
Our Vision
A Bangladesh where every community — however remote, however overlooked — recognises its own strength and free from all forms of discrimination where every individual able to thrive and shape their own future.
Our story
Twenty-five years of community-led change
DHARA was established in October 2001 by a group of women who believed that the people closest to a problem are also closest to its solution. What began as a small local initiative has grown into an organisation working across communities in health, agricultural, rehabilitation, inclusive livelihoods and the empowerment of women and young people. DHARA was formed to respond to the persistent vulnerabilities faced by disadvantaged women, youth and children, particularly in climate-vulnerable and resource-poor communities.DHARA works to empower women & youth as change agents within their families and communities by strengthening their social, economic, and leadership capacities. The organization believes that sustainable development is not possible without meaningful participation and leadership of women at all levels of community decision-making.
Core values
Community ownership
Communities set the agenda; we support it.
Gender justice
Women's leadership is not an add-on; it is the structure.
Inclusion
Persons with disabilities and the most excluded come first, not last.
Accountability
To communities first, to partners fully, to ourselves honestly.
Sustainability
Ecological and institutional — work that outlasts the grant.
Integrity
Honest evidence, transparent reporting, careful stewardship.
Founder & Executive Director
Lipika Das Gupta
“DHARA was born from a simple truth: lasting change cannot be delivered from the outside,it must be rooted in the wisdom and strength of the community itself. When we trust local people with the agency and tools to lead, they don’t just solve immediate problems; they build a resilient future for generations to come.”
While pursuing her studies in Geography, Ms. Lipika Das Gupta conducted her Master’s research on the life and livelihoods of Harijan and other marginalized communities in 1996. Through this research, she closely observed the deep-rooted poverty, social exclusion, limited access to health services, and lack of sustainable livelihood opportunities faced by these communities.This direct exposure to the harsh realities of marginalized people, especially women and children, deeply influenced her personal and professional vision. Witnessing their daily struggles and resilience inspired her to move beyond academic work and engage in long-term community-based development efforts. It was from this strong sense of social responsibility and commitment to social justice that the idea of establishing a women-led organization took shape, which later became Development of Health & Agriculture Rehabilitation Advancement (DHARA).Her academic training, combined with field-based understanding of community needs, helped shape DHARA’s integrated approach to development—linking health, agriculture, livelihoods, women’s empowerment, and social protection to promote sustainable and inclusive growth for the most vulnerable populations.
Our journey
Oct 2001
DHARA is established as a women-led community organisation.
2003
Registered, as a non-profit and non-governmental organization with the Government Department of Women’s Affairs
2004
Registered, as a non-profit and non-governmental organization with the Government Department of Youth
2007
Registered, as a non-profit and non-governmental organization with the Government NGO Affairs Bureau