South Asian Women's Research Initiative (SAWRI)

Impact

SAWRI’s work has contributed to:

Large-scale data collection on South Asian women’s health in the U.S.
Peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations at national and regional meetings
Student research mentorship and applied learning opportunities
Community-facing dissemination and knowledge translation

Mission:

The South Asian Women’s Research Initiative (SAWRI) advances health equity and well-being for South Asian women in the United States through community-engaged research, dissemination, mentorship, and culturally grounded evaluation. SAWRI centers the lived experiences of South Asian women to generate evidence that informs public health practice, policy, and education.

Vision:

We envision a future in which research, policy, and practice are informed by culturally responsive data that supports reproductive justice, mental health, and resilience within South Asian communities.

Research Areas:

SAWRI’s work spans multiple, interconnected areas of women’s health and well-being, including:

Reproductive and gynecologic health
Intimate partner violence and stress
Chronic disease and life-course health outcomes
Mental health and well-being
Storytelling and narrative methods for social change

Our Approach:

SAWRI uses community-engaged, interdisciplinary, and mixed-methods approaches to examine the intersections of reproductive health, chronic disease, mental health, violence, and social determinants of health. Our work prioritizes partnership, reciprocity, and the translation of research into action.

We are committed to:

Elevating underrepresented voices in public health research
Producing culturally grounded evidence
Mentoring the next generation of public health scholars
Translating research into practice, advocacy, and policy-relevant insights

Current and Past Projects:

South Asian Women’s Health Study - A national cross-sectional study examining reproductive history, gynecologic conditions, chronic disease, mental health, stress, and experiences of violence among South Asian American women. This study addresses a major gap in U.S. public health data and provides critical insights into the health and well-being of an underrepresented population.

South Asian American College Health Study - This project explores physical and mental health experiences among South Asian American college students, with attention to stress, identity, and access to care during a critical life stage.

Storytelling for Social Change - This initiative uses narrative and storytelling approaches to challenge stigma, shift norms, and promote collective resilience around women’s and reproductive health. The project bridges research, advocacy, and public engagement to make public health evidence accessible and actionable.

Mentorship and Leadership Development - SAWRI supports emerging scholars—particularly students and early-career professionals—through mentorship, collaborative research, conference presentations, and writing support focused on health equity and women’s health.

Teaching and Training:

SAWRI research and community-engaged methods are integrated into graduate-level public health coursework at GW, providing students with opportunities to engage in applied research, evaluation, and ethical discussions around women’s health and equity.

Publications and Presentations:

Research from SAWRI has been disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference posters, and presentations focused on reproductive health, violence, chronic disease, and health equity among South Asian women.