Ankita Bhat, GRÓ GEST Alumna: Building Pathways to Inclusive and Equitable Development
Ankita Bhat, GRÓ GEST Almuna, works as a Senior Manager in the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion team at MicroSave Consulting, in New Delhi, India. Her work focuses on women‘s economic empowerment and financial inclusion, including entrepreneurship, the gender digital divide, the care economy, gender-lens investing,and gender-responsive budgeting to drive impactful change. She has over 11 years of experience in gender equality and social inclusion at multiple levels with multiple stakeholders including governments, development banks, international funding agencies, MFIs, and community-based institutions focusing on women's economic empowerment and mainstreaming gender across diverse sectors including health, finance, and technology.
Women in India face various barriers preventing them to an equal standing with men. Extensive research done by Ankita‘s workplace shows that women face complex challenges in accessing credit, and their journeys toward economic empowerment are not linear. Structural biases, supply-side barriers, and ingrained social norms make financial inclusion an uphill battle for many.
Ankita‘s work involves unpacking challenges women face through action research, designing practical solutions at the program and product level, and policy and advocacy that create real impact. Outside her work Ankita has led global studies on female agents across Asia and Africa, integrating a gender lens into sector-wide research. She also led the global ecosystem landscaping study to assess the gender digital divide in Asia and Africa and identify exemplars and solutions through policy and sector-wide research.
The Uphill Battle of Women in India
According to Ankita, In India, the lack of women‘s access to assets, opportunities, agency, and autonomy are the biggest challenges that dictate every aspect of women‘s lives and livelihoods. „The dichotomy of the growing recognition of gender equality as opposed to deep-seated societal norms and systemic biases not only slow progress but cause women to lose out in so many areas – health, education, finance, jobs, and even their lives within their own homes are not in their control. Women face limited access to capital, markets, networks, restricted mobility, and disproportionate caregiving responsibilities, all of which create barriers to their economic participation.“
However, there is a tremendous potential to create lasting change, says Ankita. „I have adopted a multi-stakeholder approach to drive impact from both the demand and supply side. I have worked with governments and development banks on gender-responsive budgeting to inform policies to actively support women’s empowerment while collaborating with public and private sector players to strengthen women’s entrepreneurship by bridging gaps in access to finance, skills, and networks. My work with funders and banks focuses on advancing gender lens investing and gender-intelligent banking to direct capital towards women-led enterprises, and I have engaged with government bodies to design gender-responsive urban transportation that ensures safer and more gender-smart mobility solutions while driving women‘s employment opportunities. By aligning efforts across these sectors, I strive to turn policy commitments into actionable, scalable solutions that drive real impact.“
A Timely Coincidence
Ankita had known about the GRÓ GEST Programme for some time without applying. „Then, one day, I received separate messages from both a colleague and a mentor, encouraging me to apply. The fact that they both reached out on the same day felt like a sign, so I decided to go for it. The program seemed like the perfect fit – while I had hands-on experience working in gender, I lacked the theoretical grounding to fill those academic and analytical gaps. The five-month cohort felt like the ideal opportunity to bridge those gaps, connect with global experts, and gain the deeper understanding of gender equality I needed.
Of course, I could not have done it without the support of my mother, father, and my husband Anubhav throughout the application process, with moral encouragement and endless cups of ‘chai’ (tea) for those late-night sessions of filling out forms. The selection process was rigorous, and being chosen among a diverse, accomplished cohort was an absolute honor.“
Ankita completed the GRÓ Gender Equality and Training Studies (GEST) program in 2022. „I was in Iceland from January – May 2022. My project, „Promoting Smarter and Gender Responsive Cities for Women in India“ focused on examining whether urban planning and development in India truly consider the needs and interests of women. While cities are urbanizing at an unprecedented pace and attracting large migrant populations seeking employment, healthcare, and education, much of this development remains gender-blind – overlooking the safety, accessibility, and inclusion of women in urban spaces.
I chose this topic because most urban development plans and budgets, including India‘s often adopt a one-size-fits-all approach, failing to address the unique challenges women face in navigating cities for their everyday lives and livelihoods. In New Delhi, data suggests that women face higher levels of discrimination and violence in both public and private spaces than men, which restricts their mobility, agency, and access to essential services like transportation and sanitation. This compounded by systemic issues such as unsafe public spaces, inadequate transport infrastructure, and a lack of gender-sensitive urban policies and adequate budgets for all these aspects limit women‘s ability to fully participate in economic and social life. To analyze this gap, I applied gender responsive budgeting (GRB) as a critical tool to assess urban policies and investments, identifying key barriers and proposing policy and programmatic recommendations to create cities that are safer, smarter, and more inclusive for women. This research is especially relevant to my work which deals with gender-inclusive urban projects and also to provide policy insights for India’s Smart Cities Mission.“
Equipped for impact
When asked about how her experience of participating in the 5-6 month training, Ankita describes it as transformative.
„The GEST Programme was a perfect blend of academic rigor and practical learning bringing together gender advocates from around the world. The coursework was challenging yet rewarding, pushing me to think critically in ways I had not before and apply gender theories in meaningful ways. Beyond the learning, the experience of living in Iceland was an adventure in itself. We braved orange and red weather alerts just to get to class, but the warmth of the classrooms, the faculty, and my fellow participants was all part of the experience. The global network of passionate professionals I built through this programme has been incredible.“
„The training was intense yet incredibly impactful and equipped me with the right tools and connections to advance my work. It strengthened my ability to conduct gender analysis and develop project logical frameworks, skills that have since been invaluable to every project I have undertaken thereafter. One component that I initially was not a fan of but later realized its value was the TQQ (Thesis-Quote-Question). As straightforward as it sounds, this exercise – writing a succinct thesis for every reading, selecting a powerful quote, and posing a critical question – transformed the way I engage with texts. It sharpened my ability to quickly extract key insights from dense materials, a skill that continues to serve me well.
The tools and concepts I gained through the GRÓ GEST Programme have been instrumental in shaping this research, and I look forward to applying them to drive real, impactful change in urban development back home.“
According to Ankita, the benefits of the GRÓ GEST Programme aren‘t only theoretical but social aswell: „Another valuable takeaway from the programme was how much it shaped me into a better team player. I have participated in so many team-based activities during the programme! Through group discussions, collaborative work, and presentations, I learned the importance of working together, listening actively, and building on the diverse perspectives and strengths of each team member. This has been a lasting skill that continues to benefit me professionally and personally.
Beyond the coursework, the opportunity to interact with renowned experts was truly a game-changer. Engaging with scholars like Cynthia Enloe, Joni Seager, and Elizabeth Klazter – all of them were scholars whose works I had read and admired, but I never imagined that I would ever get the chance to meet and interact with them – helped me refine my approach and think critically about the next steps in my career. And, of course, a special mention goes to Giti and Thomas, whose thought-provoking and engaging lectures made every class something to look forward to, even amid that dreaded Icelandic winter!“
A Nature-Filled Adventure
Reflecting on her stay in Iceland, Ankita notes that the stay in Iceland was a incredible, nature-filled adventure.
„I had always wanted to visit Iceland, and getting the chance to live there for almost half a year was an incredible experience. Witnessing the changing seasons and seeing how dramatically nature transforms was something truly special. Some of my best memories are of adventuring through Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes. Seeing the Northern Lights on a cold, lonely road on my way to the Westfjords—something I could never do in India, yet there we were four GEST fellows, all alone, completely in awe. Trekking up to geothermal springs in Hveragerði, and up on the solidified lava on the Fagradalsfjall volcano, soaking in the warm waters of Sky Lagoon, stepping onto the Diamond beach, and even hiking on Jökulsárlón Glacier – each experience was more surreal than the last. I always say that being in Iceland felt like living inside a video game, with vast open landscapes where you could see from one horizon to the other, and yet get surprised at each turn. It was, without a doubt, one of the most incredible, nature-filled adventures of my life.
But most of all, the people – the GEST faculty and staff and the fellows from my batch – the warmth, kindness, and shared commitment to change made my time in Iceland truly unforgettable.“
Connecting across borders
Ankita highlights that her participation in the GRÓ GEST Programme allowed her to make new connections:
„I have stayed connected with my friends and batchmates from the program – Mai from Egypt, Razan from Palestine, Sandani from Sri Lanka, and Liakat from India – and we regularly catch up to share both professional and personal updates. I have also had the opportunity to connect with fellows from the South Asia region from previous and later cohorts through GEST alumni meets and my professional work, including Prachi, Suju, and Radhika. Some connections have happened by pure chance – running into each other at events and conferences – which has led to collaborations, knowledge-sharing, and ongoing support. I thoroughly miss my time with all the incredible fellows from my batch and hope to cross paths with them again soon – maybe in Iceland as a GEST reunion!“
Asked if she has any recommendations for current GRÓ fellows Ankita emphasizes that it is important to enjoy the time in the programme. „Don’t dread the workload – it may seem intense, but every challenge will sharpen your thinking and help you grow as a gender advocate. Engage deeply with the professors and fellows, participate as much as you can, and take full advantage of the incredible learning environment, especially the TQQs and all the classroom activities.
Take that walk on cold winter nights – you never know when the aurora borealis will put on a show, and trust me, it is worth it! After a long day of studying, soak up in the hot pools, whether it’s at the Sky Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, or even the lovely Vesturbæjarlaug pool in Reykjavík. If you love the outdoors, hike. And if you don’t? Hike anyway! Iceland’s landscapes are unlike anything else, and you will cherish every moment and will most certainly cheer you up. Most importantly, build connections – your cohort will be your lifeline while you are there and possibly a lifelong network of support, collaboration, and friendship. Make the most of every opportunity, because this experience will stay with you long after you leave Iceland.“
Looking back on her stay in Iceland, Ankita recalls a memorable visit to the President of Iceland. „One of the most memorable moments of the GEST programme was visiting the President’s house, Mr. Guðni Th. Jóhannesson – he was incredibly humble, and it was truly inspiring to interact with such a great leader. Just a few days later, we had the opportunity to meet the First Lady of Iceland, Ms. Eliza Reid, and the entire experience was beyond exciting and enriching. We were all super nervous about our final submission, which was just around the corner, but for a few hours, we let the anxiety go and simply enjoyed our outing as a much-needed breather.“