Dr Madhumita Iyengar’s mission started on a personal level – to give her daughters a voice.
Madhumita is well recognised through her work with Initiatives For Women In Need (IWiN), which she created in 2013. The organisation’s focus is helping disadvantaged women and children, including those experiencing discrimination, racism or domestic violence – particularly in culturally and linguistically diverse communities. IWiN is comprised of volunteers from both Indian and Australian backgrounds with policy and research experience.
IWiN’s yearly symposium highlights issues championed by the organisation. Addressing violence against women was on the 2023 agenda; investing in women in STEM is the 2024 focus. IWiN also works for change on a national level, such as the need for a domestic violence services policy framework for migrants from diverse backgrounds.
Madhumita is also the chair of the Canberra Multicultural Community Forum, a peak body of ACT’s multicultural community organisations, and she has a PhD in economic modelling.