Currently Registered

Women's Organizations
India
Aaina
Bhubaneswar, India
Aaina was founded in 1998 by a group of like minded women who wanted to focus
on the development of women and childrens issues, especially as they relate to
disability. Their mission is to see a world of identity, dignity and rightful
provisioning for the underprivileged people, especially women, children and
persons with disability. Targeting women and children who are distressed, disabled,
or trafficked, Aaina has instituted several programs to offer relief. Some of these
include counseling for distressed women through Art therapy, responding to natural
disasters in terms of relief and rehabilitation, Community Based Rehabilitation for
children and adults with disability, and special schools for children with disability
that include the participation of the mothers through income generating projects.

Contact Details:
Aaina
765, Sahid Nagar
Bhubaneswar
India
751007

E-mail: aaina50@hotmail.com

AANCHAL
Mumbai, India
Aanchal is a help line and support group that reaches out to lesbian and bisexual
women in Mumbai, India. This population was chosen because sexual minorities,
especially lesbians are seen as invisible in India. Lesbians, in particular, are often
viewed as sick or suffering a mental illness that needs to be cured. One of the main
issues facing lesbian and bisexual women in India is the discrimination, resulting
from the lack of awareness about homosexuality in a traditional heterosexual
society. Aanchal is committed to creating a safe and confidential place for women,
regardless of their age, class, caste, religion and race, who are dealing with issues
that related to their sexual orientation. Aanchal has created many support groups for
women which meet on a regular basis to discuss issues related to sexuality. In
addition, the organization has joined with other LGBT groups, supportive women's
groups and HIV /AIDS groups to fight discrimination by challenging current legal
statutes.

Contact Details:
AANCHAL
India Centre for Human Rights and Law,
4th Flr, CVOD Jain High School,
84 Samuel Street, Dongri
Mumbai
India

1
 400009

E-mail: aanchal69@hotmail.com

AID INDIA
SATANKULAM, India
Aid India was originally founded in 1992 by a group of men and women with the
goal of helping disabled people. Since 1992, Aid India has expanded to include
focus on the welfare of dalit women and widows. Its board has also expanded to
include five women, and only two men. As stated by the organization, Aid India
stands for "Empowering the women and disabled people in rural areas where they
have no access to economy and education." In the past, Aid India has worked
toward this goal by implementing programs for awareness raising, free medical
camps, adult literacy for the rural illiterate women, and educational assistance for
the poor. Aid India now also runs a micro-credit program namely Grama
Vasantham for disadvantaged women and disabled of all categories, a vocational
training program for young dhalit girls, and a computer center for them as well.

Contact Details:
AID INDIA
9, RICE SHOP STREET
SATANKULAM
THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT, TAMILNADU
SATANKULAM
India
828 704

E-mail: ttn_aidindia@sancharnet.in

Akshara - A Women's Resource Center

Mumbai, India
Akshara was established in 1995 by two activists of the Indian Women's
Movement. In the beginning it was primarily a resource center that sought to reach
women in poor or marginalized areas with the necessary information to allow them
to assert their rights and realize their full potential. Their mission is to enable
women to continue with education, to develop critical thinking skills in regards to
gender and development, and to promote self-awareness. Akshara presently works
with young women in schools, slums, and institutions through training groups,
discussions, and workshops, as well as by issuing scholarships for education. The
organization continues to have a women's resource center, and is in the process of
putting together a detailed reference of women's studies.

Contact Details:
Akshara - A Women's Resource Center
501 Neelambari Road #86
Opp. Portuguese Church
Dadar West
Mumbai
India
400 028

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 E-mail: aksharacentre@vsnl.com

Anubhooti
Patna, India
Founded in 1994, Anubhooti works in underprivileged areas of Bihar State to
improve the lives of women. The organization focuses on the limited awareness of
women's legal and human rights. It is also working to stop violence and crime
against women in India. Anubhooti offers training and support to the creation and
maintenance of women's savings and investment groups. They have constructed and
maintain a sanitation center and hope to replicate these centers in other districts
throughout Bihar. Anubhooti is also training their members to be active players in
local governing bodies.

Contact Details:
Anubhooti
A/25 Magistrate Colony
Ashiana
Patna
India
800 001

E-mail: sbhartiraj@indiatimes.com

Anveshi Dalit Women's Trust

Tiruvalla, India
Anveshi Dalit Women's Trust is an organization that was founded in 1993 by a
group of Dalit women. Anveshi's main goal is to empower Dalit women and the
Dalit community, as a whole for social change. Sadly, today Dalit women are still
not able to participate in religious activities, mainstream political parties or
societies. Anveshi wants women to recognize the daily exploitations that they face
in order to challenge the existing social structure. The organization therefore
encourages women to develop and demonstrate those capabilities which are often
suppressed due to their marginalized status in society. This is accomplished by
promoting women to use their culture and folklore as a form of resistance. Anveshi
provides centers where women are able to research their culture and discuss issues
of oppression.

Contact Details:
Anveshi Dalit Women's Trust
Madukkolil, Kuttoor P.O.
Tiruvalla
India
689106

E-mail:

ARPAN
Himatnagar, India

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 Advancement of Rural People And Nature (ARPAN) was established in 1992. The
group was founded to help women of North Gujarat India who suffer due to the
prevailing social values. ARPAN works in more than 120 villages offering
programs to raise awareness about women's conditions. These programs primarily
focus on rural tribal women in North India who are deprived of their right to
common property resources such as land, forest and water. Thus they loose access
to fodder, fuel and water. In addition, ARPAN has established 150 self-help groups
for these tribal women to help them overcome poverty and to create a sense of
empowerment. ARPAN's programs and self-help groups focus on pressing matters
such as economic dependence, participation in decision making, age of marriage,
unwanted pregnancy, discrimination of female children, illiteracy, atrocities against
women and economical issues. Furthermore, they work with tribal sex workers on
HIV/AIDS issues.

Contact Details:
ARPAN
77,Laxminarayan society,
Gaytrimandir road,
Societynagar area,
Himatnagar
India
383001

E-mail: arpan1_in@yahoo.com

Association for Bottom Strata (ABS)

Pudukkottai, India
ABS is an organization that aims to uplift the Narikkuravar Gypsys, Kuravan
community, dalit women and children through exclusive programs constructed for
the development of the poor people living in rural areas of Pudukkottai District of
Tamilnadu, India. The organization's goal is to uplift these communities by
providing training, skill development, awareness and healthcare programs, schools
for children, research projects, and HIV/AIDS prevention programs. ABS has been
active in a variety of programs including environmental awareness, welfare
associations, child labor elimination, and women awareness. Presently ABS is
working on forming self-help groups, providing income generating programs,
health programs, counseling, and vocational training.

Contact Details:
Association for Bottom Strata (ABS)
21, Mamundimadam Street, Thirukkokarnam post
Pudukkottai
India
622002

E-mail: abs_organisation@yahoo.co.in

BLOSSOM
Virudhunagar, India
BLOSSOM was founded June 7, 1993 in order to assist in the "blossoming of

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 power in every individual, particularly women and children." BLOSSOM's mission
is to "facilitate a process where marginalized groups, particularly women and
children, have an improved quality of life, by working in partnership with other
development actors." The organization's current goals are to give a voice to women
infected with HIV/AIDS and to build the capacity of their women members, while
focusing on women laborers and those affected by violence. BLOSSOM has 25
staff members, 10 volunteers, and 8500 female members. The organization's
activities include self-help groups, support for women and orphans affected by
HIV/AIDS, family counseling, vocational training, a music and dance school, and
an entrepreneurship development program.

Contact Details:
BLOSSOM
77, Sekkilar Street
Virudhunagar
India
626 001

E-mail: blossomtrust@eth.net

Centre for Women's Development and Research

Chennai, India
The Centre for Women's Development and Research (CWDR) is an organization
that was founded in 1993 by a group of female activists who wanted to address
problems faced by women in the southeast end of Chennai, India in a region called
Thiruvanmiyur. CWDR's mission includes creating awareness about gender issues,
increasing the income of women, and eliminating violence against women. CWDR
primarily works with slum women and female children who are employed as
domestic workers. They have initiated local women's organizations with more than
3,000 women in 75 slums. In the area there are over 5,000 women engaged in all
household activities from kitchen duties to childcare. The wages they receive are
insufficient to cover the basic amenities needed for survival, and usually these
women are the primary breadwinners for their families. Sadly in this type of work
the women are not able to learn any new skills that may eventually help them to
succeed in other fields. Furthermore, their work is seen as non–productive, non-
economic, not real work, but rather more as charity cases. CWDR is trying to focus
on giving the women vocational training and providing them with loans to possibly
start their own small businesses.

Contact Details:
Centre for Women's Development and Research
5/359 Annai Indira Nagar
Okkiyampet, Thuraipakkam
Chennai
India
600 096

E-mail:

Council for Tribal and Rural Development (CTRD)

Bhubaneswar, India

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 Council for Tribal and Rural Development (CTRD) was founded to promote the
leadership of rural women, to address their health issues, and to strengthen women's
self-help groups through capacity-building and linkage with international donors.
They aim to alleviate rural poverty by promoting self-employment among women
and involving women in micro-enterprise activities and community-level food
security initiatives. In addition, CTRD supports community-based environment
management programs initiated by local women groups. The organization has 15
elected members, 22 staff, and 20 volunteers. They have mobilized a savings
program investing in a handicrafts center for income generation through as many as
100 women's self-help groups. They have also provided wells and livestock to a
number of these groups. Among other micro-enterprise initiatives, they are at
present working with 50 groups in 7 coastal villages to develop a community plant
nursery and a riverbank plantation.

Contact Details:
Council for Tribal and Rural Development (CTRD)
Plot No. 420, Sahid Nagar
Bhubaneswar
India
751 007

E-mail: ikfoundationofindia@hotmail.com

Dalit Women Forum

Secunderabad, India
Dalit Women Forum (DWF) was formed in India in 1993 by a group of women
development workers to empower vulnerable groups such as women, pavement
dwellers and street children facing problems including violence, discrimination,
unequal wages and the institutions of dowry and bigamy. DWF does not solely
target Dalit women but includes all poor and oppressed women irrespective of their
caste or religious background. The mission of Dalit Women Forum is "to enhance
their bargaining skills in order to increase their living levels in the fields of
economic, social, political, cultural". DWF’s three-person staff aims to empower
women by raising awareness on various issues, fighting for the rights of the
oppressed and organizing women’s and self-help groups.

Contact Details:
Dalit Women Forum
10-5-751, Sai Nagar,
Thukaram Gate, North Lalaguda.
Secunderabad
India
500017

E-mail: dalitwomen_forum2000@yahoo.co.in

Deepak Charitable Trust

Vadodara, India
Deepak Charitable Trust was founded in 1982 to improve the health, education and
socio-economic status of the entire Nandesari community in Western India, with a

6
 particular emphasis on providing women with a better quality of life. Some of the
issues that the women face are lack of education, early marriage, diseases, and
unemployment. The area of Nandesari where Deepak works is primarily a Hindu
Rajput community. These kinds of communities are often very conventional
resulting in many restrictions on women. These include limitations on their freedom
to interact with the outside world, limited development of women's self esteem and
limited expression of their sexuality. Deepak's vision is for women to have
expanded horizons of autonomous decision making, as well as control over their
own bodies and resources. Most importantly, Deepak wants women to have equal
rights to men. In able to reach their goal, they provide reproductive health care for
women and mental and physical health care for children. In addition, the
organization provides facilities to make basic needs such as making drinking water,
fuel and fodder more accessible to the community.

Contact Details:
Deepak Charitable Trust
9/10, Kunj Society, Alkapuri
Vadodara
India
390007

E-mail: deepakfoundation@yahoo.com

Foundation for Low Income Group & Social Health (FLASH)

Pondicherry, India
The Foundation for Low Income Group and Social Health (FLASH) was formed in
India in 1996 to help very poor rural Dalit women and downtrodden people
suffering from social exploitation, denial of basic human rights, and fear of sexual
exploitation. With an overall mission of "women's holistic development", FLASH's
current goals are women's education, awareness building, and skill training for
income generation. FLASH currently provides formal and informal education and
skill training to Dalit girls. Six of the seven members of FLASH's governing board
are women.

Contact Details:
Foundation for Low Income Group & Social Health (FLASH)
166, Subbiah Nagar, Thattanchavady
Pondicherry
India
605009

E-mail:

Guidance Society for Labour Orphans and Women (GLOW)

Tamil Nadu, India
GLOW (Guidance Society for Labor Orphans and Women) is a non-profit, social
service organization that has been assisting the poor, marginalized and vulnerable
Dalit women of Taminadu, India since 1996. GLOW operates in five districts
within Taminadu, servicing 168 villages and hamlets. GLOW's development
activities have benefited nearly 40% of the population in these districts. The

7
 mission of GLOW is to "raise the socio-economic condition of the poor and the
marginalized and to empower them politically using Micro-Credit small savings
and credits as its main strategy." GLOW works toward breaking the cycle of
poverty through integrating micro finance schemes and gender programs. Currently,
GLOW is involved in ten major programs including STD/HIV awareness, micro-
credit loans, scavenger's rehabitation program, and gender development to name a
few.

Contact Details:
Guidance Society for Labour Orphans and Women (GLOW)
K. Pudur. post
Tifuppattur.Tk
Vellore District
Tamil Nadu
India
635653

E-mail: annaduraiglow@rediffmail.com

Guild of Women Achievers (GOWA)

Bangalore, India
The mission of Guild of Women Achievers (GOWA) is to help women maximize
their potential by networking and helping each other to grow personally and
professionally. Their current goals are to build a strong membership base of women
from different walks of life and also to motivate them to reach out to women from
marginalized sections by volunteering their ideas, time, talent, services, experience
and expertise. GOWA was designed to boost women's self esteem by perceiving
them as an achievers, therefore stepping out of the 'victim' mold and into the one of
'victor'. GOWA serves women from both urban and rural areas, catering to each
groups specific needs. Activities/projects include income generating activities, free
health services and counseling, annual "Best mother, grandmother and husband"
awards, conferences for businesses concerning employment of women, lectures in
schools concerning interpersonal relations, craft workshops, product marketing
workshops, product exhibitions, and more. Since it's introduction in 1996, GOWA
now has 650 members and is still growing. "Be a friend to another woman" is the
basic thrust of GOWA.

Contact Details:
Guild of Women Achievers (GOWA)
8/67 Block1
Railway Parallel Road
Kumara Park West
Bangalore
India
560-020

E-mail: womenach@hotmail.com

Indira Social Welfare Organization ISWO

Dhenkanal, India

8
 Indira Social Welfare Organization (ISWO) was started in 1985 by a group of
enthusiastic female teenagers mainly from Thenkanal district in the state of Orissa.
This group of girls had been attending tailoring classes and after identifying the
need for skills training in their own town, they formed ISWO. The organization
aims to empower the slum dwelling women, who are mostly Dalit and tribal
women, to enable them to rise above the poverty line. Most of this population is
illiterate and experiences wage exploitation, health hazards and violence. Past
services provided by ISWO include community organization, health, education, and
infrastructural development plus environmental and agricultural improvement.
IWSO has recently started a human rights project which provides legal counseling
and legal aid to women in the district. In addition they operate a girls school and
run awareness programs.

Contact Details:
Indira Social Welfare Organization ISWO
At-Kunjakanta, (Chandiasahi)
Dhenkanal
India
759001

E-mail: puspanjaliiswodkl@hotmail.com

Integrated Women Development Institute (IWDI)

Chennai, India
The Integrated Women Development Institute was founded in 1989 by Celinal Paul
Daniel, a woman inspired by the ideology of Gandhian thoughts and Christianity,
who wanted to implement programs and rural development works that would
benefit the people living in Gummidipoondi and Ponneri taluks of the Thiruvallur
District. IWDI fulfills its mission to uplift women and girl children from the
devastating situations they encounter by setting up income generating programs for
deserving women to become self-employed. The IWDI targets homeless women,
low income bonded labourers, the destitute, the deserted aged, and nutrition lacking
girl children and provides them with better water facilities, proper sanitation,
hygiene education, and savings micro credit programs. Under the rehabilitation of
manual scavengers programs, IWDI has formed four sanitary Mart Groups in the
Ambattur and Kattivakkan municipalities (slum areas). IWDI also would like to
educate and motivate women through Leadership Training Camps with a view to
utilise their potential for creation of a new society which is free from exploitation.

Contact Details:
Integrated Women Development Institute (IWDI)
No. 14/57, Thirunagar, Villivakkam
Villivakkam
Chennai
India
600 049

E-mail: womenaid@md3.vsnl.net.in

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JEETA (Joint Endeavour for Emancipation, Training and Action for Women)
Cuttack, India
The Joint Endeavor for Emancipation, Training and Action for Women (JEETA)
was founded in 1994 by a group of women from varying backgrounds. Their
primary interest is to help women in the State of Orissa by initiating a sustained
human rights campaign. JEETA works to inform and organize poor and
disadvantaged women in rural and urban areas who are distressed and vulnerable.
Some of the problems that the women face are violence, low wages, trafficking and
drug abuse. The organization promotes empowerment by focusing on issues such as
socio-economic development and access to government organizations. Through
newspapers, magazines, anti-drug and anti-liquor movements it creates awareness
and education throughout the local community. JEETA has also participated in
unionizing daily wage and domestic workers and through participation in the Right
to Information movement they aim to promote an open, responsive and transparent
government.

Contact Details:
JEETA (Joint Endeavour for Emancipation, Training and Action for Women)
4-A-Jubilee Tower, Choudhury Bazar
Cuttack
India
753009

E-mail: dollidash@rediffmail.com

MAHILA MANDAL BARMER AGOR (MMBA)

BARMER, India
MMBA, founded by Ms. Mumtaz Ben as a result of her struggle to improve the
quality of life at Indira Colony, has been working in the Barmer and Jaisalmer
districts of India since 1985. It is a grass roots organization that concentrates on
education, health, gender discrimination, and serves primarily widowed women
known as dalits. Ms. Mumtaz Ben received the "Women Excellency Award" in
1997 from the National Women Commission for her work through MMBA. The
vision of MMBA is to "establish a society with equal rights for men and women."
The organization aims to inform villagers, especially women, of their fundamental
rights and to promote their upliftment through education and participation in
organizational activities. Mahila Mandal Barmer Agor is currently involved with
non-formal educational camps for girls, non-formal educational schools, a
community based project working with the visually impaired, and rural
development projects .

Contact Details:
MAHILA MANDAL BARMER AGOR (MMBA)
INDIRA COLONY BARMER RAJASTHAN INDIA
BARMER
India
344001

E-mail:

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Mahila Sankshem Sangh (MASS)
Hyderabad, India
The Mahila Sankshem Sangh (MASS or Women Development Organization) was
founded in 1994 by a group of women activists who aimed to form self sustainable
programs for women and to educate women on reproductive health and legal rights.
MASS currently has five staff members and 1,000 organizational members. The
organization has created self managed women's groups which build the capacity of
women to create "socially and economically self sustained women with equal
participation in decision making of their respective families." Currently MASS is
engaged in a number of programs, such as Girl Child Education, Leadership
Development Camps, Health Awareness Camps, Thrift and Credit Activities,
Income Generation Activities, and Skill Development Activities, which provide
socially and economically disadvantaged women, single women, and illiterate
women with numerous resources to improve their standard of living.

Contact Details:
Mahila Sankshem Sangh (MASS)
16-2-700, B-104
Sai Dilsukh Apartments
Malakpet
Hyderabad
India
500 036

E-mail: massknr@rediffmail.com

Nari-O-Sishu Kalyan Kendra (NSKK)

Howrah, India
Nari-O-Sishu Kalyan Kendra (NSKK) was registered in 1979. It was originally
founded by a man named Md. Mainuddin, who believed in empowering women.
His initial goal was to empower women living in seven Muslim dominated villages
who due to their faith were unable to receive an education. In these communities,
women courageous enough to seek an education were socially and economically
punished. His strategy was to encourage women to share their hardships as a way of
silently mobilizing a form of resistance. This strategy was so successful, that today
NSSK is run by women who work for women. The organization serves all ages of
women because they believe that at each stage of life women face different
problems. For example, female children face child labor, adolescents face early
marriage and adult women face victimization within the home and in society.
NSSK focuses its services on three age groups of women: up to 12; 12-18; and 18-
45. Some of the current activities and programs include: counseling services;
consist of mobilization of local resources; and credit access for skill development
and self employment opportunities.

Contact Details:
Nari-O-Sishu Kalyan Kendra (NSKK)
Vill-Khaskhamar, PO Rameswarnagar
Dist. Howrah
Howrah
India

11
 711 310

E-mail: nskk@vsnl.net

Nirnaya
Secunderabad, India
Nirnaya is a non-profit women's trust that was founded in 1998 by Indira Jena and
Uma Maheehwan. The organization's main mission is to work towards gender
justice by increasing women's decision making capabilities. Their mission is
accomplished by financially supporting both rural and urban grassroots women's
groups. The organization focuses it's works on Dalit tribal women and girls because
they are the ones who are most vulnerable to poverty and violence in Indian society.
Nirnaya supports and promotes the formation of grassroots women's groups, in
urban slums as well as in rural areas. The organization also conducts and sponsors
skill training for adolescent girls. With their fundraising activities they have
established a legal aid and counseling center for the women.

Contact Details:
Nirnaya
Flat #11, Deepti Apts.
S.P. Road
Secunderabad
India
500-026

E-mail: hyd2_nirnaya@sancharnet.in

OLAKH - A Space For Women. A Feminist Documentation Resource &

Counseling Centre.
Vadodara, India
OLAKH, A Space for Women, is a feminist documentation, resource and
counseling center founded in 1993. This organization stresses the need to have an
alternative space for women to share their own frustrations and to gain education
and skills to empower themselves. By gaining a feminist perspective, the existing
discriminatory structures such as patriarchy, gender, class, and caste can be
recognized and challenged. The organization's ultimate vision is to create a society
based on justice and dignity for all. OLAKH strives to attain this goal by reaching
women through the use of various forms of mass media and other interactive
processes at micro and macro levels. They are able to implement these things by
having a safe, confidential and non-judgmental space for women and girls to
discuss issues such as violence, sexuality, emotional, mental and reproductive
health. The Documentation and Resource Center runs a library, study circle, film
screenings along with training workshops and seminars. In addition, OLAKH has a
counseling center which offers a telephone help line, face to face dialogue,
interventions, and mutual support groups.

Contact Details:
OLAKH - A Space For Women. A Feminist Documentation Resource &
Counseling Centre.
24, Jalaram Park, Opp: Lalbahadur Vidayalaya, Kareli Bagh Pani n

12
 Vadodara
India
390006

E-mail: olakh@satyam.net.in

Organization for Women Liberation (OWL)

Nilgris District, India
OWL was founded in 1984 in response to the felt needs of women in the Nilgiris
District under the auspices of the Rural Development Organization. Poverty and the
lack of resources are major problems facing these communities which lead to
domestic issues, bonded labor, illiteracy and lack of education. OWL identifies
economic independence and education as major ingredients for the liberation of
women living in very poor conditions. OWL's ongoing work with the Nilgiri
District aims to 1) equip women with the necessary skills to be viable employees in
the workplace, 2) start supportive services for women and 3) open small scale
industries to generate income for the needy women. OWL has been instrumental in
establishing a Tea estate for women and their families at Koundankolli and
Allavayal-Gudalur and implementing a tailoring and typewriting institution in
Gudalur.

Contact Details:
Organization for Women Liberation (OWL)
Gramya Bhavan
Aruvankadu
Nilgris District
India
643-102

E-mail: rdotrust@satyam.net.in

PROJECT SWARAJYA
CUTTACK, India
Project Swarajya was founded in 1988 in Cuttack, Orissa by a group of progressive
women and men. They had a vision to “prevent atrocities against women, prevent
drug abuse and alcoholism, to promote policy planning for women, to increase the
role of women in eco-development, and to empower the women weavers and fisher
women.” Since 1988, Project Swarajya has grown to be governed mostly by
women. Today, its mission is to “ensure human rights, ... to provide employment
opportunities to women... to ensure the participation of women in all spheres of
socio-economic-cultural development.” Project Swarajya also campaigns against
the trafficking of women, and works for gender justice. These efforts are aimed
primarily toward the rural poor and downtrodden dalit women of India. With a staff
of 40 and more than 50 volunteers, some of their most current projects include
efforts toward scavenger liberation, eradication of child labor, conservation of
coastal ecology, governance reform and public interest litigations for the cleaning
of rivers.

Contact Details:
PROJECT SWARAJYA

13
 Ganeshghat
Bakharabad
Cuttack, Orissa
CUTTACK
India
753002

E-mail: projectswarajya@sify.com

Qaiser Foundation
Patna, Bihar, India
Qaiser Foundation is an organization that was created in 1994 through the mother
group Mahila Samooh. Qaiser began it's work by launching an awareness campaign
among the deprived section of the society regarding health, education, and
development. Their main goal is community development and women
empowerment through education and health awareness, family welfare and primary
health care. Qaiser plans to install education centers, health centers, low cost
latrines and develop self help groups by collaborating with different governmental
programs. Furthermore, they hope to improve the handling of land disputes and
dowry cases.

Contact Details:
Qaiser Foundation
Tahir Lane, Road No16
Gardanibagh
Anisabad
Patna, Bihar
India
800 002

E-mail:

Rural Educational Awareness Development Society (READS)

Sathankulam, India
Founded in Tamil Nadu in 1998, Rural Educational Awareness Development
Society (READS) organizes women in order to raise their social and economic
status. In Tamil Nadu, dowry torture is still prevalent, most women have little or no
education due to pressure from their parents to stay home and help with house
work, and married women have no voice in decision making. READS goals include
forming female self help groups in local villages, gathering young female drop-outs
and providing them with an education, and creating vocational training for women
and girls. Recently READS has formed 115 female self help groups, and through
grants, they have created a female operated dairy farm. They offer training and
programs on topics such as savings habits, women's rights, clean environment, and
child health. In the future the organization will work on initiating micro credit
programs, setting up elderly homes, daycare centers, and implementing income
generation programs for women.

Contact Details:
Rural Educational Awareness Development Society (READS)

14
 3/2, Kothuva Palli Street,
Sathankulam
India
628 704

E-mail: reads_j@yahoo.com

Rural Health and Environment Development Trust (RHEDT)

Coimbatore, India
Rural Health and Environment Development Trust was established in Tamil Nadu
in 1990 by a group of male and female social workers. RHEDT serves the Irula
Tribal women of the Nilgiri Hills because these women are denied access to the
forest, are forced to live in restrited areas, do not have basic health and educational
supplies, are not considered for government welfare, and are deprived of their basic
tribal and human rights. The mission of RHEDT is to organize the Tribal women
into self-help groups and equip them with knowledge, awareness, analytical skills
etc. It also works to help the women take responsibility for their own development
initiatives and to enable them to become economically independent. The
organization is concerned with environmental awareness, AIDS prevention, mother
and child healthcare, as well as human rights. They have established an early
childhood education program for the tribal children in order to provide a safe and
positive learning environment while their parents work. In the future they are
planning to organize and run a school for the children of women who are
commercial sex workers. In addition to the board of directors, and general
membership, RHEDT currently has a staff of 13 ans over 20 volunteers serving the
needs of tribal women.

Contact Details:
Rural Health and Environment Development Trust (RHEDT)
D/NO. 2/304-A
Kumaran Nagar
Karamadai
Coimbatore
India
641 104

E-mail:

Saraswathi Meenava Magalir Sangam (Society for Fisher Women)

Tamil Nadu, India
Saraswathi was founded by Danida Adult Education Project for Marine Fisher Folk
in January 1994. It was formed to retain the impact of this adult education program
among fisher women. Furthermore, they wanted to organize the women for
collective action and to create holistic development for the entire marine fisher
community who live in the Bay of Bengal coastal villages of Tamil Nadu. The
organization's goal is to empower marine fisher women residing in 30 coastal
hamlets so they can ultimately provide alternative and supplementary income for
themselves. Since the fishing industry is primarily patriarchal, the women are
forced to face many more problems then men. Some of the issues they face include
lack of education, health care, and employment. Saraswathi has nine project centers

15
 that provide awareness programs, education, employment and various other support
such as counseling and first aid. The organization now has 64 volunteers and 6
board members.

Contact Details:
Saraswathi Meenava Magalir Sangam (Society for Fisher Women)
174, Ponnu muthu Pillai Street
Singara Thoppu
Cuddalore
Tamil Nadu
India
607-003

E-mail:

Shaishav
Bhavnagar, India
Shaishav was founded in 1992 in the city of Bhavnagar, located in the western
peninsula of Gujarat. The organization mainly focuses on improving issues such as
child labor, uneducated children and slum children, especially girls. Their primary
goal is to improve the general society by beginning with empowering children to
take charge and initiate change. Shaishav's philosophy is that a healthy child leads
to a healthy adult, which ultimately makes a healthy society. They execute their
goals by working towards abolishing child labor in Bhavnagar, protecting children's
basic rights and involving parents in activities for their children. They have a multi-
pronged strategy to address these complex issues. This strategy includes
rehabilitation, prevention, alternative, networking and support. Shaishav strongly
believes that people should be helped to empower themselves. Therefore the
organization does not play a role as the "problem solver" but rather as a catalyst.

Contact Details:
Shaishav
Block A-2/T-34
Adinath apartment, Opp. Virbhadra
Ambawadi
Bhavnagar
India
364001

E-mail: shaishavad1@sancharnet.in

STREE ATYACHAR VIRODHI PARISHAD (Social Organization agitating

For Socio-Legal Justice to Women and Girl Children)
NAGPUR, India
On March 8, 1980, a silent march of women took place in order to bring awareness
to the community of the issues women faced, such as rape and other atrocities. The
women who organized the march had come together to work on a case which
involved a girl who was raped in the police station by the police. This case led Dr.
Seema Sakhare to establish Stree (Social Organization Agitating for Socio-Legal
Justice to Women and Girl Children) in an attempt to advocate socio-legal justice

16
 for women. Today the organization serves 10 districts in the Vidarbha region of
Maharashtra. It aims to bring awareness, awakening and information to women
about their constitutional rights, laws and judicial procedures. It also works to
create equality, liberty and social justice for women in the society. Although the
organization serves all groups of women, they focus on the uneducated poor rural
women of Vidarbha Division of Maharashtra State. Because these rural areas are
very patriarchal, women do most of the work, with little respect or recognition, and
they tend to lack self confidence. Stree's goal is for these women to be self
sufficient when it comes to solving their own problems. The organization's main
activities included mobilizing groups of women to meet, so that they are able to
give each other emotional support and create a community atmosphere, which
ultimately enables them to be self sufficient. Stree also has implemented a number
of support programs and activities to improve the many atrocities that adolescent
and adult women face.

Contact Details:
STREE ATYACHAR VIRODHI PARISHAD (Social Organization agitating For
Socio-Legal Justice to Women and Girl Children)
B-204, GANESH APARTMENT, KOTWAL NAGAR, RING ROAD
NAGPUR
India
440022

E-mail:

Vikalp (Women’s Group)

Baroda, India
Viklap (Women's Group) was formed by a group of women who felt the need to
create a grassroots organization to address women's issues in rural tribal areas. This
group of women representing diverse fields such as education, media, government
and private sectors, shared a common political understanding and feminist
perspective. Vikalp was formally registered in 1996 and is currently working in 70
villages of Chotaudepur and Kavant blocks of Vadodara district in Gujarat state.
Vikalp believes that "an aware woman is a revolutionary being who can initiate
changes in her surroundings, and in gender relations through collective and
individual power." As a means to change, the organization focuses on strengthening
women's health, education and rights. Vikalp strongly feels that all three spheres are
highly interrelated, therefore, change needs to take place simultaneously. The
organization has a strong community base, involving the local village women and
representatives of the panchayats (local government bodies) who work together in
implementing programs. Most programs aim to develop leadership skills and to
encourage decision-making within as well as outside the household. Some of the
activities that the organization has initiated include health education and awareness,
rapport building, and development of a resource and counseling center.

Contact Details:
Vikalp (Women’s Group)
3, Mira Apartments
Nr. Vrundavan, Waghodia Road
Baroda
India

17
 390019

E-mail: vikalpgroup@hotmail.com

Wake Up India Women's Wing

Bangalore, India
The organization was founded by Mrs. Ellen John in 1995, with a burden to help
the poor in India. Working primarily with rural village women, Wake Up aims to
help poor and underserved village women. Their primary programs include: a
primary school for rural children; a prison ministry providing counseling and
medical care to women in the Bangalore central jail; tailoring, typing and computer
training courses.

Contact Details:
Wake Up India Women's Wing
Dodda Dunna Sandra village
Devanagundi Post
Bangalore
India
560067

E-mail: wakeup77@sify.com

Women Development Resource Centre (WDRC)

Madurai, India
The Women Development Resource Centre (WDRC), was started in 1991 to create
a space for women to come together to sit and discuss the development of women,
the injustice on them, and to bring conditional and positional changes to the lives of
women. The mission of WDRC is to help promote a strong grassroots women's
movement. The organization also addresses the livelihood needs of women, works
on actions against violence on women and encourages the political participation of
women in local governmental systems. While working in the southern part of Tamil
Nadu, WDRC has promoted 162 community level women's organizations among
Tribal and Dalit women who are the culturally, economically, socially, culturally,
and politically vulnerable. WDRC helps women to promote savings groups for their
economical empowerment through promotion of the Women Laborers Bank, which
is involved in micro income generation programs which increase the level of
income and create local employment opportunities such as organic manure
production.

Contact Details:
Women Development Resource Centre (WDRC)
40A, Meyappa 3rd Street
Gnanaolivupuram
Madurai
India
625016

E-mail: ismmdu@eth.net

18
Women's Emancipation and Development Trust (WED)
Tamilnadu, India
Women's Emancipation and Development Trust (WED) was founded in 1992 with
the aim of "building a gender-just society with self-sustained, economically
independent, politically empowered women." The organization's mission is to
"empower women and children in all spheres of life through education, training and
intervention programs along with networking of peoples' movement for
campaigning and lobbying." WED consists of a five-member board of trustees, six
permanent full-time staff, ten part-time staff, and five volunteers. Their activities
include programs aimed at awareness education to prevent violence against women
(especially female infanticide and feticide), self-help groups and micro-finance for
women's income generation, as well as family counseling and legal aid. In addition,
WED campaigns against child labor and coordinates activities with other regional
organizations.

Contact Details:
Women's Emancipation and Development Trust (WED)
Gandhinagar,Chellampatti (P.O)
Usilampatti (T.K.), Madurai (D.T)
Tamilnadu
India
625 566

E-mail: wedtrustindia@sancharnet.in

Women's Organization for Rural Development (WORD)

Tamil Nadu, India
Women's Organization for Rural Development (WORD) was founded in 1991 by
Ms. Sivakamavalli who envisioned "promoting rights of the oppressed,
discriminated and marginalized women" in India. Their goals include eradicating
gender disparity through the attainment of social, economic, health, cultural, and
environmental development. Focusing on serving primarily rural poor women, the
organization works to improve the status of women by promoting women and
children in livestock rearing and bio-diversity conservation. Through training and
awareness they also work to improve women's health rights. The organization is
grounded by a general body of 21 women who elect an executive committee of 7
women, which in turn takes care of the overall function of the organization with
support from the staff (composed of 25 women and 2 men). While decisions are
collective, the general body has the final word. Some of the organization's recent
activities include: "Women Empowerment Through Social Awareness and
Economic Development," a program involved in the formation of self-help groups
and income generating programs; "Micro-credit of Income Generation Activities," a
program offering training in savings and credit management, bookkeeping, and
accounts management. This organization is actively involved in several ongoing
and widespread programs reaching out to local women through training and
education, these vital tools allow them to attain their ambitious aims throughout
society.

Contact Details:
Women's Organization for Rural Development (WORD)

19
 H.O: Post Bag No. 1, Bazaar Street
Pandamangalam Post
P. Velur Taluk, Namakkal District
Tamil Nadu
India
637 208

E-mail: siva_word@hotmail.com

Women's Political Watch (WPW)

New Delhi, India
Women's Political Watch (WPW) was founded in 1991 by Ms. Veena Nayyar. The
organization works to promote development and democracy for women who live
below the poverty line in slums and tenements. To encourage development, WPW
works to enhance the social and economic status of women by bringing centrality to
women's needs. Furthermore, they advocate and implement economic and social
programs in the hopes of maximizing women's capacities, resources, and
opportunities. By bringing women's political and developmental needs to the
mainstream, WPW is encouraging democracy for women. They often help by
electing and appointing women in sufficient numbers to local governing bodies.
Most importantly, the organization empowers women by creating access to literacy,
vocational skills, micro-credit and more. At any time WPW has around 600 women
and children spread over 40 centers attending classes.

Contact Details:
Women's Political Watch (WPW)
L-1/4, Hauz Khas Enclave
New Delhi
India
110-016

E-mail: nayyar@del3.vsnl.net.in

OTHER ORGANIZATIONS SERVING WOMEN

Crescent Trust (CT)
Pudukkottai, India
Crescent Trust was founded in 1988 to work for the development of rural women in
the Dalit community who are living below the poverty line. CT aims to uplift poor
women and to promote sustainable agriculture. Issues facing this population include
socio-cultural and gender inequality. Through women's awareness programs, CT
aims to promote community development and traditional leadership. They also
offer training in fiscal fiber production, tailoring and food processing. CT has
established two preschools and operates an ecology farm to demonstrate sustainable
agriculture.

Contact Details:
Crescent Trust (CT)
T.S. No. 8653/1 Kambar St.

20
 Thiruvappur
Pudukkottai
India
622003

E-mail: CRESCENTKESAVAN@YAHOO.CO.IN
DOVE (Development of Village Education)
Sathankulam , India
Development of Village Education (Dove) works in the backward villages of
Sathankulam Taluk. It was started by a homeopathic doctor named R. Stephen in
order to alleviate acute poverty and lack of basic amenities including primary health
care and illiteracy. This organization serves communities of "palyra tappers",
Dalits, and Farm labourers. Working in forty villages, Dove's mission is to create
women centered activities through women self help groups, micro credit programs,
empowerment education, sanitary condition improvement, environmental
awareness, health care and infrastructure development. Future programs include
bringing proper medical care to these villages and working with health
professionals to teach villagers about personal health and hygiene. Dove also aims
to survey natural resources such as precious herbs in order to protect and put them
to use for various ailments.

Contact Details:
DOVE (Development of Village Education)
21, Sindhu Bhavan
Bangalow Street,
Sathankulam
India
628 704

E-mail: rpackianathan@yahoo.com
LeverageTrust
Pudukkottai, India
Leverage-Trust Foundation was created in 1994 by a group of women activists in
the Pudukkottai district of Tamilnadu in India. The organization seeks to strengthen
deprived communities, especially Dalit women, by promoting self-reliant and self-
confident members. Leverage-Trust is working to improve women's gender
inequality and human rights, to increase women's general heath, and to strengthen
the role of women regarding employment and property ownership. The organization
is currently conducting workshops at the local level offering skill training, legal
assistance, micro credit promotions, health activities, and economic empowerment
training.

Contact Details:
LeverageTrust
386 Mettupatti
Kaikkurici Post
Pudukkottai
India

E-mail: leverageorg@yahoo.com

21
Rural Development Organization
Nilgirls, Tamilnadu, India
Rural Development Organization (RDO) was founded in 1980 to serve rural
communities that suffer from lack of resources and education. RDO serves women
from the poorest communities in Nilgiris, including Tribal, Harijan, and Baguga
and employs 96 people, the majority of whom are women. The organization’s goal
is to achieve self-sustaining communities in Nilgiris through capacity-building,
income-generation, health care, environmental and educational programs. RDO has
set up over 53 supplementary schools in villages so children can have access to a
better future. As part of the schools, RDO has also organized over 800 Women's
Self Help Groups, comprising more than 12,000 women in the region and geared at
generating credit and savings for rural women.

Contact Details:
Rural Development Organization
Gramya Bhavan
P.O. Box 7, Aruvankadu
Nilgirls, Tamilnadu
India
643202

E-mail: rdotrust@satyam.net.in
Rural Reconstruction Organization
Tamil Nadu, India
Rural reconstruction Organization was founded in 1999 by Rose Malar to empower
women in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. Being the first non-governmental
organization in the area, where poverty and unemployment are extremely prevelent,
RRO is working to create opportunites for female income generation. In the past the
organization has created 180 self-help groups for women and currently holds skill
training classes as well. Future plans include income generation and marketing
projects. The organization has seven staff members, eleven volunteers and eleven
members on the governing board where decisions are made colectively a a group.

Contact Details:
Rural Reconstruction Organization
Alankulam Road
Mukkudal P.O.
Tirunelveli Dist
Tamil Nadu
India
627601

E-mail:
SmileLife Charitable Trust
Navi Mumbai, India
SmileLife Charitable Trust was founded in 2003 to contribute to women's
empowerment. Their mission is to bring about the social and economic betterment
of women through programs aimed at giving single women the opportunity for self-
sufficiency. Run by a board of five trustees, SmileLife currently runs a program

22
 teaching computer literacy to the women of Navi Mumbai. The organization plans
to expand their programs to include animal husbandry and other income-generating
activities. Ultimately, SmileLife plans on initiating a small-scale local industry that
could employ a large number of area women and give them a stable means of
income-generation.

Contact Details:
SmileLife Charitable Trust
#C-321, Vashi Plaza, Sector-17, Vashi,
Navi Mumbai
India
400703

E-mail: smilelifes@smilelifes.org
SNS Foundation
Gurgaon( Haryana), India
The SNS Foundation was established in 1976 by the Anand Groups (leading auto
component manufacturers operating in 8 states of India), with a view to fulfill its
social responsibility in communities where manufacturing is located. Today, its
main goal is promoting equal opportunities for development in India for women and
children. SNS works to improve the lives of disadvantaged girls and women who
are socio-economically and politically disadvantaged. SNS focuses on "Education
for All," "Reproductive and child health," and vocational training. With the support
of over 15 partner groups and supporters, they are currently involved with an
adolescent girls project, health assistants training, organic farming for villagers, a
HIV/AIDS project, water harvesting, and their annual Girl Child Exhibition. Most
of their funding comes from private donations, grants and community contributions.

Contact Details:
SNS Foundation
88-89 Industrial Development Colony
Mehrauli road
Gurgaon( Haryana)
India
122001

E-mail: info@snsf.org
Society for Health Education and Development
Hindupur, India
Society for Health Education and Development (SHED) is non-profit voluntary
organization working for the welfare of the poor communities of Ananttapur
District, Andhra Pradesh, India. SHED was established in 1985 to mitigate the
sufferings of the poor and underprivileged classes and the socially outcast people,
the Dalits. Their mission is "to spread peace and prosperity in urban slums and
remote villages in spite of their difficulties." The organization comprises 28 staff
members and 43 volunteers and is run by six core officials constituting a governing
board. They aim to educate and empower down-trodden people, particularly in rural
populations, through awareness campaigns and improvements in health, community
development, education, and vocational training. The women's wing of the
organization provides programs for women's rights and legal aid as well as women

23
 and children's health. In addition, SHED has set up adult literacy programs and
conducted awareness programs in villages on environmental protection, drinking
water safety, and to inform rural populations of their rights. SHED is currently
working on a preschool education program and a leadership and development
program for village women.

Contact Details:
Society for Health Education and Development
Andhra Pradesh
Hindupur
India
515201

E-mail: shed_hup@yahoo.co.in
YOUNG CITIZEN OF INDIA CHARITABLE TRUSTE
MEHSANA, India
Young Citizen of India Charitable Truste is an organization located in North
Gujarat State. The organization was founded in 1988 with a focus on improving
health care for women and children. The main problems faced by women are
discrimination, illiteracy, reproductive health problems, and unwanted pregnancies.
One of the goals of Young Citizen of India Truste is to educate pregnant women on
pre-natal care and infancy care. Furthermore, their activities have included
improving the supply of drinking water in the rural areas of north Gujarat.

Contact Details:
YOUNG CITIZEN OF INDIA CHARITABLE TRUSTE
16,VITTHAL PARK SOCIETY , NO-2 ,
MALGODOWN ROAD,MEHSANA-384002
NORTH GUJARAT ( INDIA)
MEHSANA
India

E-mail: YCICT_AMARVYAS@REDIFFMAIL.COM
http://www.jagriti-international.org/organizations.asp?Country=India

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SEWA Nirman

What is SHAKTI ?

26
As enshrined in our holy epics and scriptures the ‘Woman’ - an embodiment
of affection, benevolence and compassion has been, since the times
immemorial, extolled as an angel. By virtue of being endowed with striking
attributes of love, patience, generosity and submissive dedication, she brings
completeness in man’s life as also the integral transformation to keep pace
with the changing times despite some mysterious denials to her contribution.
Provision of an ideal education for her is of paramount importance which
would empower her to rediscover her individual self and regain her status in
society quintessence to ‘Shakti’ as in the vedic era.
As a realized person does not live up in clouds, Her Holiness Anandmurti
Gurumaa, living amidst the realities of life observed and analyzed the
dilemma of woman grudgingly given a secondary status in the contemporary
society. To provide solace of faith, succour and the volcanic courage to
women, Anandmurti Gurumaa spearheaded to set up ‘Shakti ‘in 1999, which
has now blossomed as a project of multidimensional excellence; besides
empowering the girls through education. Shakti has emerged as a wake up
call to combat the heinous practices of female foeticide, infanticide, dowry
menace and the brutalities afflicted on the girl child who is regarded as a
harbinger of curse by many foolish and preposterous people and patriarchs of
society.
Ascribing to the belief that ideal education is the best and only powerful
instrument for woman empowerment, self reliance and life resurrection which
would make them masters of their destiny, Gurumaa , through her unique
‘Shakti’ project has provided career opportunities for the girl child- the
woman of tomorrow.
Besides providing the ethical and spiritual knowledge, Shakti provides
financial support to under-privileged girls up to the 12th standard

irrespective of their cast, colour or creed. So far, more than eight hundred
girls have been provided scholarships since the inception of the Shakti
program. The support has also been extended to students of B-Pharmacy,
Sonepat, and forty-five girl students of SGTB Institute of Nursing education,
Ludhiana, to complete their education. Up till now, three batches of 45 girls
have passed from the college and are now earning well. Heralding the
crowning success of the ‘Shakti’ welfare project, once the lone crusader,
Anandmurti Gurumaa, today expresses her gratitude for the overwhelming
support with an invitation to put all our energies in promotion of this
humanitarian cause.
Why Shakti ?

According to a recent report by the United Nations Children’s Fund

(UNICEF), up to 50 million girls and women are missing from India’ s
population as a result of systematic gender discrimination in India. In most

27
countries in the world, there are approximately 105 female births for every
100 males.
In India, there are less than 93 women for every 100 men in the population.
The accepted reason for such a disparity is the practice of female infanticide
in India, prompted by the existence of a dowry system, which requires the
family to pay out a great deal of money when a female child is married. For a
poor family, the birth of a girl child can signal the beginning of financial ruin
and extreme hardship.
“A tradition of infanticide and abandonment, especially of females, existed in
China before the foundation of the People’s Republic in 1949,” note Zeng et
al. (“Causes and Implications,” p. 294.) According to Ansley J. Coale and
Judith Banister, “A missionary (and naturalist) observer in [China in] the late
nineteenth century interviewed 40 women over age 50 who reported having
borne 183 sons and 175 daughters, of whom 126 sons but only 53 daughters
survived to age 10; by their account, the women had destroyed 78 of their
daughters.” (Coale and Banister, “Five Decades of Missing Females in
China,” Demography, 31: 3 [August 1994], p. 472.)
Empowering the girl child through education is an indispensable tool to curb
the growing menace of gender inequality, declining sex ratio, and
discriminatory treatment given to women in India. Empowered woman is
strong enough to stand as a support for her family and community at large.
She further contributes to the prospects of next generation.
The project Shakti is an initiative by Anandmurti Gurumaa, against female
infanticide and the brutalities afflicted on the girl child. Shakti – An initiative
to empower the girl child, is the voice of truth against this crude reality.
Project Shakti is an initiative whose aim is to educate the world on infanticide.
Virtually unheard of in many parts of the world, the phenomenon of female
infanticide is as old as many cultures, and has likely accounted for millions of
gender-selective deaths throughout history. In all cases, specifically female
infanticide reflects the low status accorded to women in most parts of the
world; it is arguably the most brutal and destructive manifestation of the anti-
female bias that pervades “patriarchal” societies. It is closely linked to the
phenomena of sex-selective abortion, which targets female fetuses almost
exclusively. There are records of older girls being fed dry, unshelled rice that
punctured their windpipes, or were forced to swallow poisonous powders.
Others were smothered with a wet towel, strangled, or allowed to starve to
death.”
By bringing light to this crime against humanity and educating the world on
“truths” and not beliefs, Gurumaa believes we can usher in a new era of
empowerment. Looking beyond creed, color, beliefs, or caste systems, the
Shakti program will deliver the education and support needed to bring change
to a world where murder called by another name becomes acceptable.
Shakti works to provide financial support to the daughters of widows,
handicapped parents, war veterans, and many others to complete their basic

28
education - changing the old beliefs and showing the world that girls with
support can contribute to her family, community, and generations to come.
Get involved ?

I AM A STUDENT
Being young and being a student is to be in power. Yes, truly it is because
student has the power to do a lot. You can be a very active participant in the
movement of Shakti. Try doing any or all of the following:

Show the power-point presentation on Shakti in your

school.

Create awareness by putting Shakti posters on your school

notice board.

Take permission to keep Shakti book in your library.

Encourage your fellow students to form a Shakti-kitty to

raise funds for the education of needy girls.

Initiate to keep a topic of one of your competitions on how

girls are the power-house of energy and the future of our
nation.

Form a group of friends who are interested to work for

the cause and discuss among yourselves – what you can do
for Shakti.

Generate awareness in your family & friends about the

cause of Shakti and educate them to save girls, educate
girls and empower girls.

Gift Shakti Calendars to your teachers.

I AM A COMPANY
29
In today’s jet age, companies are playing a phenomenal role in bringing a
change in society. As a company you are in a much better position to help the
education of needy girls. You can help Shakti educate and empower girls in
the following ways:

Circulate a Shakti awareness e-mail in your network of

staff.

Sponsor the education of girls.

Encourage your employees to opt for regular

monthly/annual donations towards the cause. First
company should take the step, only that will motivate
employees.

Distribute Shakti T-shirts on any celebrative occasion.

Promote the message of Shakti – Save Girls…Educate

Girls…Empower Girls by printing it on your
merchandise.

Include Shakti as part of your corporate social

responsibility.
I AM A HOUSEWIFE
The makers of home are in the best position to make the career of the girl-
child. Being a house-wife, you run errands and do dozens of chores in a day,
look after your family, shower your love and care on them unconditionally…
what else can indicate the immense potential of a housewife. You can
participate in Shakti in the following way:

You can raise funds to educate needy girls through your

group of friends.

30
If you are a member of a club, you can create awareness
by putting up posters and raising funds.

You can share the cause of Shakti with your family

members and encourage them to promote it in the best of
their capability.

If you can think of any other idea, write to us.

I AM A PROFESSIONAL
Being a professional is to have expert knowledge in a particular profession
and having an expertise is like having an influence…so you can shape the
thinking of your associates. So gear up to make the first move now –

You can create awareness about the cause by gifting

Shakti pack to your associates.

Encourage your friends, family, clients and associates to

adopt the education of needy girls under the Shakti fold.

Spread the message of Shakti through your means.

Show the presentation of Shakti to your

professional/personal gathering.
I AM AN EMPLOYEE
In today’s time, employee is the boss when it comes to creative and innovative
potential. So here is another opportunity for you to unleash your skills in
promoting the cause of Shakti. Attempt any or all of the following:

Take an initiative to upload the presentation of Shakti on

your intranet, to create awareness about the cause.

Forward Shakti awareness e-mail to your network.

31
Take an initiative to propose Shakti as part of Corporate
Social Responsibility of your company.

Shakti posters can be put up on the notice boards.

Encourage your friends, colleagues to take active part in

educating the needy girls and if they commit to adopt the
education of these girls, you can take the responsibility to
let them reach us.

http://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/india/indiaorgs.htm

Women's organizations
Supporting programs and projects on women's involvement in politics, governance and
decision-making
Akshara: A women's resource centre
It produces low cost publications for women's organizations and activists. In 1995 Akshara received
funds to establish a library and reference centre for women. It now has library facilities, offers gender
training and workshops, and publishes educational and movement oriented materials.
Address: Neelambari 501, Road no. 86
Off Gokhale Road
Dadar West
400028 Bombay
India
Tel: +91 22 430 9676 or +91 22 431 6082
Fax: +91 22 431 9143
E-mail: admin@akshara.ilbom.ernet.in
All India Democratic Women's Association
AIDWA is a left oriented women's organization committed to achieving democracy, equality and
women's emancipation. It has a membership of more than 5.4 million. The site features events and
issues affecting women of India as well as updates on AIDWA's campaigns on empowerment and
economic independence.
Address: All India Democratic Women's Association
23, Vital Bhai Patel House
Rafi Marg
New Delhi-110001
Tel 3710476
Fax 371-6515
Email: brindak@nda.vsnl.net.in

Asmita ( "identity") Resource Center for Women

Consciousness-raising for women in rural areas.
Address: Road 2, West Maredpalli
Sikandrabad,
Andhra Pradesh,

32
India.
Tel: 9140 780 3745
Fax: 9140 841697.

Department of Women and Child Development

Secretary: Hon. Kasturi Gupta Menon
Ministry of Human Resource Development
Government of India, Shastri Bhavan
New Delhi - 110 001, India
Tel: 3383586
Fax. No. : 3381800 , 3070480
Email: secy.wcd@sb.nic.in, ayyar@hub.nic.in

Forum Against the Oppression of Women

A campaign group, which takes up issues like dowry, wife-beating, sexual harassment.
Address: 29 Bhatia Bhawan, Babrekar Marg, Gokhale Road (North), Dadar (West),Bombay 400028
INDIA|
Email: inforum@inbb.gn.apc.org

Indian National Green Party

Among others the Party is committed to the following: the protection of women’s rights to equal
respect, opportunity and responsibility in society; basing policies on ensuring equal access by women
to all areas of political, social, intellectual and economic endeavor; and increased and equitable
participation by women in all decision-making processes.
Address: A 45, Paryavaran Complex
South of Saket, New Delhi-110030
Phone : +91-11-6515079, 6525053
Fax : +91-11-6967514

Maitree
An umbrella organization dealing with domestic health, consciousness raising, social upliftment,
violence against women in the workforce.
Contact Shashwati Ghosh at mrsg@cal2.vsnl.net.in or swayam@cal.vsnl.net.in or
Anchita Ghatak at rajmen@cal.vsnl.net.in

Majlis
A legal and cultural resource centre working in the area of women and minority rights. The legal
centre of Majlis is a group of lawyers providing legal assistance to women. Majlis is also involved in
research and documentation on issues concerning women.
Address: A-2/4, Golden Valley
Kalina, Mumbai (Bombay)
400 098 India
Tel: 6180394, 6160252

National Alliance of Women's Organisations

Address: 20-J/ 3, Krishna Nagar
Safdarjung Enclave,
New Delhi 110029
INDIA
Tel 91 - 6171446
Fax 91-6178622
Contact: Ms. Ruth Manorma
National Commission for Women

33
Address: 4, Deen Dayal Upadhayaya Marg
New Delhi-110 002
INDIA
Tel: 91-11-3237166, 91-11-3236988
Fax: 91-11-3236154
Email member_secretary@nationalcommissionforwomen.org

Network of Women in Media, India

The Network of Women in Media, India, is an association which aims to provide a forum for women in
media professions to share information and resources, exchange ideas, promote media awareness
and ethics, and work for gender equality and justice within the media and society. Local groups linked
to the NWMI are currently functioning in 16 centres across the country. Email at editor@nwmindia.org

Vimochana
Deals with many women's issues from domestic violence to labor issues. Activities range from
counseling, service provision, education and outreach, mobilizing and organizing, activism.
Address: 2124 16th B Main 1-A Cross
HAL IInd Stage,
Bangalore 560038
INDIA
Tel (9180) 526 9307

Women's Studies Unit

It attempts to sensitize students and policymakers about women and development issues by teaching
social work students and government employees, by producing teaching materials, consulting various
groups about women and development, and by conducting research.
Address: Tata Institute of Social Sciences
P.O. Box 8313, Sion trombay Road,
Deonar
Bombay 400008
India

Women leaders
Anita Anand
Anita Anand is the director of the Women's Feature Service (WFS), a non-profit audio-visual
syndicated news and feature service based in New Delhi. It has more than 60 correspondents in
Africa, Asia, Latin and North America
WFS specializes in women's issues, notably the criminalization and other forms of violence against
women such as dowry murders and sexual harassment. Ms. Anand calls the media a microcosmic
mirror of how women continue to be sidelined.
Sources:
Anita Anand
Address to the Workshop on Mass Media and Crime Prevention Crimes Aainst Women Anita Anand,
India
BACK TO TOP

Shabana Azmi
Ms. Azmi is an elected member of the Indian Parliament in Rajya Sabha (House of the States). She is
also a well-known, award-winning actress and political activist. Her regular presence in new wave
films has made her the most prominent star spawned by the New Indian Cinema. As an activist, she is
associated with the Nivara Hakk Samrakshan Samiti, fighting the cause of Mumbai's slum and
pavement dwellers, and with various anti-communal organizations, playing an effective, high-profile
role such as in the 1993 communal riots in Bombay.
Source:
India Times
Indian Celebrities
Shabana Azmi, Goodwill Ambassador for India

34
 BACK TO TOP

Kiran Bedi
The first woman Police Inspector-General of India. She broke new ground by joining the elite Indian
Police Service in 1972, the first woman in India to do so. She is today the most celebrated police
officer, having been awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for government service, also called the
Asian Nobel Prize, the Joseph Beuys Award by a German foundation and the Asia Region Award for
Drug Prevention & Control by the International Organization of Good Templars (IOGT) a Norwegian
organization.

Besides her professional contributions, two voluntary organizations founded and supervised by her —
Navjyoti, set up in 1988 and India Vision Foundation in 1994, reach out to thousands of poor children
daily for primary education; women for adult literacy; provide vocational training and counseling
services in the slums, rural areas and inside the prison apart from treatment for drug addiction. She
and her organizations today stand nationally and internationally recognized, with the latest award
being given by the United Nations — the Serge Sotiroff Memorial Award for drug abuse prevention.

More about Kiran Bedi on:

Kiran Bedi: official website
India's first female police officer
Kiran Bedi - an extraordinary woman
BACK TO TOP

Phoolan Devi
Member of Parliament and was notoriously known in India as the Bandit Queen. Revered and
respected or hated and feared, people's perceptions of Phoolan Devi vary. A fisherfolk's daughter,
some see her as a victim of India's oppressive caste structure, while many see her as a modern-day
female Robin Hood and heroine of the masses who took revenge on 22 upper caste Thakurs, who
had subjected her to gang rape, by killing them in 1981. She surrendered to the police in 1984 and
served time till 1994. She was elected to the Parliament's lower house in 1996.
The legendary 'Bandit Queen' was gunned down by three masked men outside her official residence
in New Delhi on July 25, 2001. Her tumultuous life inspired Shekhar Kapur's Oscar nominated movie
titled Bandit Queen in 1994.
More about Phoolan Devi on:
Phoolan Devi links
Caste as woman: izzat and larai* in Northern India
BACK TO TOP

Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi was the first women Prime Minister of India and an important world stateswoman. She
was born in Allahabad, in the state of Uttar Pradesh. She was the only child of Jawaharlal Nehru, the
first Prime Minister of India. She was a great crusader of world peace.
Indira Gandhi became the third Prime Minister of India on January 24,1966 and remained in this post
up to 1977. In 1975, her election to Parliament was declared invalid and she declared internal
emergency, which led to her defeat in 1977 elections. Indira Gandhi returned to power in 1980 with an
overwhelming majority.
Mrs. Gandhi, met her tragic end on 31st October 1984, when she was brutally assassinated by her
own guards.
Read more about Indira Gandhi on:
Indira Gandhi
Gandhi
About Indira Gandhi
BACK TO TOP

Maneka Gandhi
Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment (as of January 2001), Maneka Gandhi is the daughter-
in-law of Indira Gandhi. She was elected into the Lok Sabha (Lower House) in 1998. A dedicated
animal rights activist and environmentalist, she is a founder member of People for Animals and
chairperson of the Delhi Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

35
Sources:
The other Mrs. Gandhi
Profile of Maneka Gandhi
BACK TO TOP

Priyanka Gandhi
The striking 26-year old daughter of former prime minister Rajiv and Congress Party President Sonia
Gandhi, has so far shunned an official role in the Congress Party. But she pointedly retained the
Gandhi family name after her marriage to Robert Vadra, a jewellery designer and exporter. Rumor
has it that she will be joining the Youth Congress, and probably will become its leader. She
campaigned for her mother in the September 1999 elections and almost stole the limelight from her.
More on Priyanka on Priyanka's website.
BACK TO TOP

Sonia Gandhi
President of India's century-old Congress party. Being the third woman of foreign origin to hold the
prestigious post after Annie Beasant and Nelli Sengupta, Sonia Gandhi also became the fifth from the
Nehru family to take over the Congress reins. The other four were Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru,
Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, her slain husband. Though she was born in Italy, Sonia Gandhi has
emerged as the most potent political force in India’s elections. Almost single-handedly, she has
revitalized the Congress Party, winning back much of its traditional political base of minorities and the
poor.
More about Sonia Gandhi on:
Sonia Gandhi
Official Website
BACK TO TOP

Mrinal Gore
Known as a political reformer, Mrnal Gore was a member of the Bombay Municipal Corporation. As a
politician, she constantly brought into focus the woes of the common woman, earning the admiration
of the masses. For her vociferous protests against water shortages in the city she was called
Mumbai's 'Paaniwali Bai'. She had won the election with the largest margin of votes ever in
Maharashtra.
BACK TO TOP

Indira Jaising
The most prominent woman lawyer in India, Indira Jaising has handled the Roopan Deol Bajaj and the
Bhopal disaster case, among others. She takes a special interest in cases related to injustice toward
women. Her motto is "Women's Rights are Human Rights". She was the one who started the
campaign for women's legal rights years ago. Over the years she has fought against child labor, for
the economic rights of women and estranged wives.
Source:
Prominent Indians
BACK TO TOP

Jayalalitha Jayaraman
Former Chief Minister of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Before entering politics Ms.
Jayalalitha is a popular film star. A devoted follower of MG Ramachandran, the legendary Tamil Nadu
actor and politician, she was included in his Cabinet over the opposition of other longtime party
members. After his death in 1988, she consolidated her power independently, becoming party leader
of the AIADMK. She was jailed on corruption charges after her stint as Chief Minister. She continues
to be the leader of Tamil Nadu politics especially since she established new alliance with the ruling
BJP.

BACK TO TOP

36
Vipula Kadri
She is a renowned Social Worker and founder of PRIDE INDIA, SAVE THE CHILDREN and WISE.
Under her leadership, these organizations have been helping to improve the quality of life of
underprivileged children & women. Ms. Kadri is also the director of Rural Hospital "SPARSH" at
Sastur, Osmanabad district - where the devastated earthquake took place in 1993- which was
initiated, completed and is now being run by PRIDE INDIA & SAVE THE CHILDREN jointly. Her work
experience also includes the task of rescuing and rehabilitating young victims of sexual exploitation in
India & Nepal and Aids Awareness. She is a member of Maharashtra State Social Welfare Board.
BACK TO TOP

Medha Patkar
Medha Patkar has been a central organizer and strategist of Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), a
people's movement organized to stop the construction of a series of dams planned for India's largest
westward flowing river, the Narmada. The World Bank-financed Sardar Sarovar Dam is the keystone
of the Narmada Valley Development Project, one of the world's largest river development projects.
Upon completion, Sardar Sarovar would submerge more than 37,000 hectares of forest and
agricultural land and displace some 320,000 villagers, mostly from tribal communities.

In 1985 Patkar began mobilizing massive marches and rallies against the project, and, although the
protests were peaceful, she was repeatedly beaten and arrested by the police. She almost died during
a 22-day hunger strike in 1991. Undaunted, she undertook two more long protest fasts in 1993 and
1994. She and her organization later filed a case to the Indian Supreme Court to stop the construction
of the dam.
As an outgrowth of her work to stop dam construction, Patkar has helped establish a network of
activists across the country - the National Alliance of People's Movements. In 1992, she was awarded
the Goldman Environmental Prize, the world's largest prize program honoring grassroots
environmentalists.
Source: Goldman Award: Medha Patkar

GRANTS AND FUNDING INSTITUTIONS

Asia Foundation
Drawing on more than four decades of experience in Asia, the Foundation collaborates with partners
from the public and private sectors in the region to support, through grants and other programs, the
development of institutions, leadership, and policy in four broad program areas: governance, law, and
civil society; economic reform and development; women’s political participation; and international
relations. TOP | HOME
Asian Development Bank (ADB) ADB is an international
development finance institution whose mission is to help its developing member countries reduce
poverty and improve the quality of life of their people. Headquartered in Manila, Philippines and
established in 1966, ADB is owned and financed by its 67 members, of which 48 are from the region
and 19 are from other parts of the globe. TOP | HOME
Australian Agency for International Development (AusAid) AusAID is the
Australian Government agency responsible for managing Australia's overseas aid program. The
objective of the aid program is to assist developing countries reduce poverty and achieve sustainable
development, in line with Australia's national interest. TOP | HOME
Canadian International Development Agency
Equality between women and men, boys and girls, is integral to all CIDA initiatives. The Agency will
build on its experience and comparative advantage in this area as it strengthens its programming in
the Social Development Priorities of health and nutrition, basic education, HIV/AIDS and child
protection. CIDA will ensure that all of these initiatives are planned using sound gender analysis,
building on opportunities for the empowerment of women and men, respecting human rights, and
working to help close gender gaps that stand in the way of social development. TOP | HOME

Global Fund for Women

It support women’s human rights organization around the world working to address critical issues

37
such as gaining economic independence, increasing girls’ access to education, and stopping violence
against women. TOP | HOME
Mama Cash Mama Cash is the
oldest international women's fund---established in the Netherlands in 1983. She supports pioneering
and innovative women's initiatives around the world, because she believes that social change starts
with women and girls.Since 1983 Mama Cash has subsidized more than 6.000 women's projects and
has invested more than 30 million euros. She is active in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Latin
America and the Caribbean, and the Commonwealth of Independent States. TOP | HOME
Noel Foundation
The foundation encourages and supports the advancement of women around the world through
entrepreneurial and educational programs. In Asia, it provides technical training and job skills to
women in Thailand, the Philippines and Cambodia to produce goods for sale on the global
market. TOP | HOME
Open Meadows Foundation
Open Meadows Foundation is a grant-making organization for projects that are led by and benefit
women and girls. Open Meadows Foundation funds projects that do not discriminate on the basis of
race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age or ability.TOP | HOME
The World Bank
The World Bank is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around
the world. They are made up of two unique development institutions owned by 185 member countries
—the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International
Development Association (IDA). TOP | HOME
Third Wave Foundation
A US-based activist philanthropic organization of women between the ages of 15 and 30. As a grant-
making organization, it strives to connect young women to the resources needed to counter any
assault on their personal freedoms. TOP | HOME
United Nations Development Fund for Women
UNIFEM promotes women's empowerment and gender equality and works to ensure the participation
of women in all levels of development planning and practice, supporting efforts that link the needs and
concerns of women to all critical issues on the national, regional and global agendas. TOP | HOME
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
UNDP is the UN's global development network, an organization advocating for change and
connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. They
are on the ground in 166 countries, working for solutions to global and national development
challenges. TOP | HOME
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
U.S. foreign assistance has always had the two-fold purpose of furthering America's foreign policy
interests in expanding democracy and free markets while improving the lives of the citizens of the
developing world. Spending less than one-half of 1 percent of the federal budget, USAID works
around the world to achieve these goals. USAID is an independent federal government agency that
receives overall foreign policy guidance from the US Secretary of State. TOP | HOME
Womankind World Wide
It is dedicated to aiding women in developing countries in their efforts to overcome poverty and ill
health, to gain access to education and training, and to gain greater control of their lives. Womankind,
a nonprofit organization, provides funding and information to developing communities worldwide. TOP |
HOME

Women’s Grants and Resources

Comprehensive listing of links to grant-making institutions assisting women’s organizations, mostly in
the United States.
http://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/resources.htm

Women's Organisations
38
Joint Women's Programme
CSIRS, 14 Jungpura B, Muthura Road,
New Delhi 110014.
Tel: 461-9821
Fax: 462-3681.
India

National Council of Women In India

Poona Medical Foundation, Ruby Hall Clinic,
40 Sassoon, PO Box No. 70, Pune 41100
India

Centre for Women's Development Studies

(CWDS is a research centre comprised of a group of professionals working for the realization of
women's equality and development in all spheres of life. The centre maintains a specialized library
with a collection on women and development in India, open to students, research scholars, gender
consultants, policy makers, journalists etc.)
Centre for Women's Development Studies
The Library
25 Bhair Vir Singh Marg
Gole Market
110 001 New Delhi
India
Tel: +91 11 334 5530 or +91 11 336 5541
Fax: +91 11 334 6044

Committee on the Portrayal of Women in the Media

4 Bhagwandas Road
New Delhi 110 001
India

Institute of Social Studies Trust

M-1 Kanchenjunga
18 Barakhamba Road
New Delhi 110001
India

The YWCA of India

An umbrella organisation affiliated to the World YWCA with 65 local associations in India. The
organisation works for women's empowerment through a variety of programmes , the most important
of which are leadership training for women, advocacy work on all women's issues, and community
development work . The YWCA also runs 40 women's residences across the country providing
housing for working women as well as emergency shelter for women. The YWCA of India is also a
part of a network of 7 women's organistions based in Delhi and works together with them on common
issues.
The YWCA of India
10, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi. 110 001.
India

National Commission of Women

4, Deen Dayal Upadhaya Marg.
New Delhi 110 002
India

All India Coordinating Forum of the Adivasi/Indigenous Peoples (AICAIP)

39
AICAIP was established as a forum for Adivasi/indigenous people's movements all over India. Its
objective is to strengthen the process of building solidarity and alliances amongst struggle oriented
indigenous people's organizations. AICAIP aims to identify shared issues and problems, to generate
debate on these issues and to provide support to help deal with them. One of the five working groups
AICAIP has established is focused on Adivasi Women Issues. Neither AICAIP nor any of the
organizations it represents concentrates specifically on the dissemination of information. There is also
no other Indian indigenous people's organization with this focus. However, exchanging and providing
information is part of AICAIP's work.
All India Coordinating Forum of the Adivasi/Indigenous Peoples (AICAIP)
K-14 (First Floor), Green Park Extension
110016 New Delhi
India
Tel: +91 11 616 3830 or +91 11 619 6640
Fax: +91 11 619 8042

Diverse Women for Diversity

A-60 Hauz Khas
New Delhi - 110 016
India
Tel: 0091 11 656 1868
Fax: 0091 11 656 2093

Kali For Women

B 1/8 Hauz Khas, 1st Fl
New Delhi 110016,
India
Telephone: +91-11-6852530
Fax: +91-11-6864497

Women's Foundation
L 1-4 Hauz Khas Enclave
New Delhi 110016, India

Centre for Social Research

E.82, Saket
New Delhi -110017
India

Centre for Women's Development Studies

B-43 Panscheel Enclave
New Delhi 110017
Indiav Tel: 11-643-8428

Saheli: A Women's Organisation

105-108 Shopping Complex, Defence Clony Flyover,
New Delhi 110024.
India
Tel: 461-3681.

Sakhi: Lesbian Organisation

PO Box 3526, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi 110024.
India

Kali for Women

(Feminist Publisher)

40
A 36 Gulmohar Park
New Delhi 100 049
India

Center for Women's Studies and Development

Panjab University
Chandigarh - 160014
India

Centre for Women's Studies and Development

Faculty of Social Sciences
Banaras Hindu University
Varanasi - 221005
India

Social Work and Research Centre:

Network for Self-reliance of the rural poor
Tilonia 305 816, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India.
Tel: +91 1463 8804
Fax: +91 1463 8806

SEWA (women and work)

Reception Centre
Opp. Victoria Garden
Ellisbridge
Ahmedabad 380 001
India

Center for Health Education, Training and Nutrition Awareness (CHETNA)

CHETNA's mission is to contribute towards the empowerment of disadvantaged women and children
to enable them to gain control over their own, their families' and their communities' health. Its trainings
target supervisors, trainers, program managers and practitioners of NGOs and GOs. In order to
provide a good flow of information, a documentation and information centre has been created. Today
CHETNA's main efforts are aimed at documenting the lives of women and children in India and health
issues. The collection contains a special section of training manuals, information kits and modules.
Languages: English, Hindi, Gujarati.
Center for Health Education, Training and Nutrition Awareness (CHETNA)
Lilavatiben Lalbhai's Bungalow
Civil Camp Road, Shahibaug
380 004 Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Tel: +91 79 286 8856 or +91 79 286 6695 or 7865636
Fax: +91 79 286 6513

Centre for Social Justice: Feminist Support Group.

5, Neelkamal Building, Ashram Road,
Ahmedabad 380 009
India
Tel: +44 6560649/403027

Single Women's Organisation: Networking Organisation.

Indira, F/7 Sagar Apartments, Behind Doordarhsan,
Opp. Sarthi Hotel, Bodak-Dev Road,
Ahmedabad 380054.
India

41
Women's Studies Research Centre
Faculty of Home Science
M.S. University of Baroda
Baroda 390002
India

Women and Media Group

C/o B.U.J.
Prospect Chambers, Second Floor
D.N. Road
Bombay 400 001
Maharashtra
India

The Women's Centre of India

Nehru Road, Vokola
Santa Cruz, Bombay 400 005
India

Women's Studies Unit

The Women's Studies Unit attempts to sensitize students and policymakers about women and
development issues by teaching social work students and government employees, by producing
teaching materials, consulting various groups about women and development, and by conducting
research.
Women's Studies Unit
Tata Institute of Social Sciences
P.O. Box 8313, Sion trombay Road
Deonar, Bombay 400008
India

Maitreyi
The major objective of Maitreyi is to develop a feminist perspective in understanding women's issues
and the women's movement, and to sensitize everyone about women's issues. Maitreyi sponsors and
indirectly supports the following activities: women's studies workshops, research, documentation,
support centers for women in distress, mobilization of women in villages to join Ladies Club, and
publication of books and annual reports.
Maitreyi
Manjiki, Makarand Society
Veer Savarkar Marg, Mahim
Bombay 400016
India
Tel: 45 12 11/45 41 48
Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT)
SNDT Women's University was established in 1916 as the first women's university in India. The
university library was established in 1955. It houses an information service on women's studies. The
women's information section of the library caters to researchers and professors as well as NGOs and
activists. The library maintains an indigenous database -SUCHAK- containing references to more than
100.000 titles. About 35.000 of these pertain specifically to women. In recent years the library has
acquired several instructional, bibliographical, and full text databases. Languages: Indian, English.
Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT)
Women's University Library
1 Nathibai Thackersey Road
New Marine Lines
400 020 Mumbai
India
Tel: +91 022 207 2792

42
Fax: +91 022 201 8226

Akshara - A Women's Resource Centre

Akshara began informally in 1987 as result of the women's movement and its campaigns in Bombay.
It started by producing low cost publications for women's organizations and activists. In 1995 Akshara
recieved funds to establish a library and reference centre for women. It now has library facilities, offers
gender training and workshops, and publishes educational and movement oriented materials.
Languages: English, Marathi.
Akshara - A Women's Resource Centre
Neelambari 501, Road no. 86
Off Gokhale Road
Dadar West
400028 Bombay
India
Tel: +91 22 430 9676 or +91 22 431 6082
Fax: +91 22 431 9143

Forum Against Oppression Of Women

FAOW was formed in 1979 as a platform to respond to an extremely unjust judgement on a rape
case. Soon from a Forum Against Rape as it was earlier called, it changed its name to the present
one to encompass varied forms of women's oppression. FAOW is part of what in India is recognised
as the Autonomous Women's groups which has played a crucial role in this third phase of the
women's movement [late 70's onwards]. Today it is mainly a campaign group consisting of members
from varied background- students, housewives, professional women, lectureres etc. The members
meet regularly once in a week and every one puts their volantary time in the work that needs to be
done. There are no paid staff.
Forum Against Oppression Of Women
29,Bhatia Bhavan, 1st floor
Babrekar Marg, Dadar, Bombay 400028.
Tel. 91-22-422-2436

Research Center for Women's Studies

S.N.D.T. Women's University
Juhu Road, Santa Cruz
Bombay 400 049
India

Women's Studies Unit

Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Post Box 8318, Sion-Trombay Road, Deonar
Bombay 400088
India

Majlis,
Majlis is a legal and cultural resource centre working in the area of women and minority rights. The
legal centre of Majlis is a group of lawyers providing legal assistance to women. Majlis is also involved
in reasearch and documentation on issues concerning women.
Majlis,
A-2/4, Golden Valley,
Kalina,
Mumbai (Bombay) - 400 098
India
Tel: 6180394, 6160252

India Women Scientist's Association (IWSA)

IWSA Plot No. 20, Sector 10-A Vashi

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Navi Mumbai - 400 703
India
Tel: 91 22 766 18 06
Fax: 91 22 6204038 / 4138521.

Centre for Documentation and Research on Women (Aalochana)

"Kedar"
86/11-B Kanchangalli
Erandavana
Poona 411 004
Maharashtra
India
Tel: 212-343563

Anveshi Research Center for Women's Studies

Osmania University Campus
Hyerabad - 500 007
India

Streelekha
67.2fl,Blumon, Mahatma Gandhi Rd
Bangalore 560001
India
URL: http://www.peg.apc.org./~spinifex/streelekha.html

Bangalore Joint Women's Programme

73 Miller's Road, Benson Town,
PO Box 4600, Bangalore 560046.
India
Tel: 080 333335.

Center for Informal Education and Development Studies

No. 7, Balaji Layout
Wheeler Road Extension
Bangalore 560 084
India

St. Ignatius Social Centre

Probhat Nagar, Honavar
P.O. UK (Dt)
Karnataka, India 581334

Working Women's Forum

55 Bhimsena Garden Road
Madras 600 004
Tamil Nadu
India
Tel: 44-74553 or (9144) 4993937 or 4992853
Fax: 44-944444 or (9144) 4992853

Madras Women's Indian Association

Indian Council for World Affairs, 43 Greenways
Madras 600028
India

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Mother Teresa Women's University
13 Race Course Road
Guindy
Madras - 600032
India

Sisters, For Polycultural lesbians.

PO Box 26, Tambaram, Madras 600 059
India

Martec Center for the Advancement of Women

25 Cathedral Road
Madras
Tamil Nadu 600086
India

Centre for Development Studies

Ulloor Trivandrum
Kerala State 695011
India

Women's Research Centre

P-595, Purna Das Road
Calcutta 700019
India

Joint Women's Programme

16 Elgin Road, Calcutta 700020.
India
Tel: 033-749945

Streelakha
(Feminist Publisher)
16 Southern Avenue
Calcutta 700 026
India

Sanhita Gender Resource Centre

89B Raja Basanta Roy Road
700 029 Calcutta
India
Tel: +91 33 466 2150 or +91 33 463 1430
Fax: +91 33 473 0687 or +91 33 473 5619

Joint Women's Programme

JWP No. 15 Ramalinga Nagar, Old Mahabalipuram Road,
Kottivakkam, Thiruvanmiyur, Madras 800041.
India

http://www.indiaepostoffice.com/women47/index5.html

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