Research
Over the years, ISST has harnessed research to generate knowledge and deepen understanding, shedding light on critical issues related to women, work, childcare, adolescents, governance, and beyond. Our qualitative and quantitative studies have explored the intersections within the informal economy, supporting the entire ecosystem in advocating for rights-based policy frameworks. Through this work, ISST has established itself as a pivotal organization at the crossroads of research, action, and policy.
Ongoing studies
Mapping Vulnerabilities to Ensure Universal Access and Equity in Childcare: A Case Study of Bihar, Jharkhand and Rajasthan
This study examines vulnerabilities shaping early childcare arrangements among children aged 0–6 years in marginalized contexts across Bihar, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan. It maps intersecting vulnerabilities across socio-economic inequities to analyse access to childcare services, including health, nutrition, early education, safety, and responsive care. Using a mixed-methods approach combining surveys and qualitative tools, the study captures lived experiences, access barriers, and institutional gaps. It situates childcare within caregiving environments shaped by livelihood insecurity, gendered labour, and social inequalities, and examines the role of social protection, including ICDS (now part of Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0), along with public infrastructure. The study finds that childcare vulnerabilities are structurally produced through intersecting inequalities and systemic gaps, highlighting the need for universal, inclusive, and responsive childcare systems.Pathways to Sustain Women and Girls in STEM Education and Careers
The research project is a collaborative initiative undertaken in partnership with the Commonwealth of Learning (Vancouver, Canada). The study is being implemented across Delhi-NCR. This research study seeks to explore the experiences of female students pursuing education and training in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), particularly within Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, including Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). The study aims to understand the attitudes, aspirations, and challenges faced by young women as they navigate STEM education and transition into careers. This would include understanding the state of gender-intentional curriculum, pedagogy and infrastruture. lt also seeks to identify pathways and enabling conditions that can support their retention, progression, and long-term engagement in these fields.
Research and Documentation On Care Ecosystem and Scalable Care delivery models
This project aims to address the critical issue of women’s unpaid care work by documenting effective practices and scalable care models at global, regional, and national levels, with the goal of generating evidence-based policy recommendations. The study will focus on 15 scalable care models for children, the elderly, and disabled persons, highlighting models supported by government, the private sector, and civil society organizations, focusing on high-quality, accessible and affordable services.Tracing Transformative Change: A 10-Year Impact Study of Gender-Sensitive Learning Spaces at ISST Community Centre
It is an ongoing mixed-method research initiative launched in January to examine the long-term impact of the Institute of Social Studies Trust (ISST)’s Saathi community centre in urban informal settlements. The study combines quantitative surveys and in-depth qualitative research to trace how sustained engagement in feminist-informed, gender-sensitive learning spaces shapes adolescents’ and youths’ journeys into adulthood. It explores shifts in attitudes and behaviours related to gender, caste, sexuality, labour, and social justice, while analysing transitions into education, work, marriage, and leadership. By centring participants’ life trajectories and lived negotiations, the research generates longitudinal evidence on individual and community-level transformation. The study also assesses the scalability and replicability of ISST’s community-centred, gender-transformative model for advancing gender justice in structurally marginalised contexts.
Scoping Study of the Delhi NCR Garment Sector: Mapping Different Actors in the Workplace Relations
This is a scoping study conducted in the Delhi NCR in the readymade garment industry. It is an export-oriented and labour-intensive industry with a feminised workforce. This study is focused on understanding the political economy of the industry in the Delhi NCR cluster and doing a mapping of different actors and their roles in influencing the labour practices in this sector.
Enabling Environments for NTL skilling of Women and Girls
The study examines the various factors that enable Non-Traditional Livelihood (NTL) skilling for women and girls. This research aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on the functioning of the skilling ecosystem for women and girls in Delhi. It aims to cover schools, ITIs, and skilling institutes run by private, state-supported, CSOs, and others using a gender transformative lens.
Research partners
