WomeninPoliticsandPolicyResourceCentre

RESEARCHSERIES1

WOMENTAKINGACTION:
ASURVEYOFCHENNAIWOMENSORGANIZATIONS
SwetaNarayanan

September2008

ThePrajnyaTrust,Chennai,2008

Foreword
bySwarnaRajagopalan
page3

PartA
WomenTakingAction
page5

PartB
ServingChennaisWomen:Profiles
page21
ContactDetailsofProfiledOrganizations
page59

Foreword

ItisaveryspecialfeelingtowritetheforewordtoPrajnyasfirstresearch
product,asurveybySwetaNarayananofwomensorganizationsinChennai
andtheirwork.

FromPrajnyaspointofview,thisisanimportantfirstundertakingpartlyfor
tworeasons.First,theobjectiveofourfirstmajorundertaking,ThePrajnya
WomeninPoliticsandPolicyResourceCentre,istodocumentthe
contributionsofwomentopolicyandsocialchangeinSouthAsia.This
surveysetsusonthatroad.Second,weareverynewandgettingtoknowour
peersisanimportantinitialstepforus.However,sincewecouldnotfind
anotherstudywiththiskindofinformation,wetookadoityourself
approachandtheresultsarenowavailabletoanyonewhowishestouse
them.

ThismonographbeginswithashortanalyticalsectioninwhichSweta
Narayanandescribesherresearchexperienceandmakesbroadcomparative
observationsontheorganizationsshestudied.Thesecondandsubstantive
sectionisacompilationoforganizationalprofiles.Finally,weprovidecontact
informationforeachoftheorganizationsincluded.Weplantopublished
revisedandupdatedversionsofthisstudyfromtimetotime.

SwetaNarayananidentifiedsomeofthesurveyedorganizationsthrough
existingresourcesandthenherresearchledhertoothers.Shedescribesthe
challengesoflocating,contactingandmeetingpeopleacrossChennaiand
observesbothadisinterestinnetworkingandaninabilitytocommunicate
theworkbeingdone.Recentattemptstonetworkthesocialsectorhavegone
somewaytomitigatethis;Prajnyasmandatealsoincludesnetworkbuilding,
educationaloutreachandadvocacy.Wetrustthatthenexteditionofthis
workwillfindachangedsituation.

SwarnaRajagopalan
Director,PrajnyaInitiativesforPeace,JusticeandSecurity
PSWInitiativeDirector

October5,2008

A.WOMENTAKINGACTION

ThegrowthoforganisationsdedicatedtoservingwomeninIndiais
interestingonaccountofitsrelevanceandgrowingimportanceinthecurrent
scenarioofacceleratedwomensempowerment.Thispaperreviewsthe
natureandworkingofwomensorganisationsinChennai,asalenstothe
Indianwomensmovement.Itsstructurewillservetohighlighttwomajor
objectivesofthepaperabriefoverviewofthecourseofthewomens
movementinthecountryandadetaileddescriptionoftheactivitiesof20
organisations,fromadvocacygroupstoserviceproviders,currentlyworking
towardswomenswelfareinChennai.
Whiletheoutlineofthefeministmovementisbasedentirelyonreference
material,theprofilesdrawextensivelyononetooneinterviewswithwomen
currentlyinvolvedinsingularworkandtosomeextent,oninformation
availableonwebsites.
Thefirstpartdrawssolelyoninformationgatheredfromwritingsofwomen
scholarsinthefield.Anonlinesearchforinformationonthefeminist
movementinthecountrydidnotyieldsatisfactoryresults.Booksonwomens
studiesprovedtobeamorereliableandaccuratesource.Buteveninthese,
thewomensmovementformedonlyaminorsectionoftheentirework.But
thesectionaimstoprovideonlyabriefaccountofthewomensmovement,
highlightingimportantmilestonesasitprogressed.
Tostartmysurveyofwomensorganisations,theInternetwasausefultoolto
narrowdowntotheorganisationsIwaslikelytoincludeinthestudyputin
orderalistofprobableprofiles.Searchesonlinethrewupseveralleads,which
thensetinmotionthesurveyinthecity.Buttoexpandthescopeofthestudy,
theCIOSAandSAHAYAdirectorieswereconsulted.Thestudybrings
togetherInternetbasedresearchaswellasinformationcompiledfrom
extensivefieldwork.
Also,thoughtheInternetwasthepointofdepartureforthestudy,itsusewas
limitedtoverifyingandsupplementingavailableinformationandsometimes,
sourcingforcontacts.
Thefocusofthisstudy,apartfromchroniclingthefeministmovement,isto
makepublicthenumberanddiversityoforganisationsinChennaidoing
outstandingworkinempoweringoneofthemostvulnerablesectionsof
society.Thisendeavourisbasedonpersonalobservationsduringthecourse
ofthestudythatverylittleisknownaboutmostwomensorganisationsand
theiractivitiesoutsidetheirimmediatecirclesandtargetgroups.

THERESEARCHPROCESS
Thegoalofthestudyistoidentifyindividualsandorganisationsstrivingto
makeadifferenceinthelivesofnumerouswomeneitherthroughadvocacyor
service.ThoughtheCIOSAdirectoryandSAHAYA,broughtoutbytheJoint
ActionCouncilforWomen,containanexhaustivelistoforganisationsserving
women,childrenandtheagedinChennai,theylimitthemselvestosimply
listingouttheiractivities.Also,asthesedirectoriesarenotupdatedregularly,
mostcontactsincludingaddressesandtelephonenumbersareoutdated.
Theinterviewscamefirst.Alistoftwentythreeorganisationsthatcouldbe
coveredwassystematicallypreparedandaddressesandtelephonenumbers
found.Theinterviewswereconductedoverafiveweekspan,andthe
selectionwasmadekeepinginmindfewbasicbutvitalcriteria:
Natureofworkadvocacy,serviceprovidersorboth
Geographicaldistribution
Targetgroupand
Rangeofactivities
Priortosettingupameeting,abackgroundevaluationofeveryorganisation
wasmadetodeterminewhethertheiractivitieswouldmeettheobjectivesof
thestudy.Thiswasnotpossiblewithmostorganisationsastheydidnothave
awebsiteorwereabsentonotherpublicmedia.Mostwereaccessibleonly
throughasingletelephonenumber.
Amemberataseniorlevelwascontactedandindepthinformationabout
theirprogrammesdesignedtobenefitwomenwasgatheredoveroneortwo
meetings,whennecessary.
Attheoutsetofthesurvey,anonlinesearchofwomensorganisationsin
Chennaithrewupseveralnamesbutfewcontacts.Accesstowomens
organisationswasthesinglemoststumblingblockintheentireexercise.Well
knownorganisations,suchastheAllIndiaDemocraticWomensAssociation
(AIDWA)andYoungWomensChristianAssociation(YWCA),wereeasily
accessible,withadequateinformationonthemavailableonvarioussources.
Butgettingtothemajorityoftheothergroups,albeitlesserknownbut
involvedinequallyormoreeffectivework,wasquiteachallenge.
Respondentswerequestionedontheoriginoftheirorganisations,current
areaofactivity,welfareprogrammes,targetgroups,sourcesoffundingand
collaborationsandnetworks.Theywerealsoencouragedtoexpresstheir
dreamsandhopesforthefutureoftheorganisationandthewomenthey
workedwithandwheretheythoughtthefeministmovementwasheading.

ABRIEFHISTORYOFTHEWOMENSMOVEMENTININDIA
Womensorganisations,fromtheverybeginning,wereformedasa
spontaneousresponsetocounterformsofoppression,violenceand
patriarchalpractices.Thoughthemovement,whichgoesbacktotheearly
nineteenthcentury,overtheyearshaswitnessedchangesinthecharacterof
itsparticipants,itspurposehasretainedthefoundingprinciplesmore
autonomyforwomen.
TherootsofthefeministmovementinIndiacanbetracedtotheearly
nineteenthcentury.Itsevolutionovertheyearscanbebroadlyclassifiedinto
threeperiods:
Thesocialreformeraofthenineteenthcentury
Thepowerfulnationalistperiodoftheearlytwentiethcenturyupto
theIndianIndependencein1947and
Thenewfeministwavethatbeganinthe1970sandisstillongoing.
Thesocialreformmovement
AuniquefeatureoftheIndianwomensmovementisthefactthatearly
attemptsatwomensemancipationweresetinmotionbymen.Social
reformerssuchasRajaRamMohanRoy,MaharishiKarveandSwami
DayanandSaraswatichallengedthetraditionalsubordinationofwomen,
encouragedwidowremarriageandpromotedfemaleeducationandequality
inmattersofreligion,amongotherissues.MahilamandalsorganisedbyHindu
reformistorganisationssuchastheAryaSamajandBrahmoSamaj
encouragedwomentostepoutoftheconfinesoftheirhomesandinteract
withoutsiders.
PanditaRamabai,oneofthepioneersofthefeministmovement,withthehelp
ofJusticeRanadesetuptheAryaMahilaSamajin1882.Sheenvisaged
creatingasupportnetworkfornewlyeducatedwomenthroughweekly
lecturesandlessonsathomes,wherewomencouldlearnandgainconfidence
throughinteractions.
Womensauxiliariesofgeneralreformassociationsalsoservedasaplatform
forwomentodiscusssocialissues,expressopinionsandshareexperiences.
TheBharataMahilaParishadoftheNationalSocialConferencewasthemost
prominentamongsuchfora.ThoughtheNSCwasformedatthethird
meetingoftheIndianNationalCongressin1887,theMahilaParishadwas
launchedonlyin1905.
Alltheaboveeffortssignificantlyimpactedthesocialstatusofwomen.Early
attemptsatencouragingwomentocommunicateoutsidetheirfamiliesand
localcommitteesthus,stemmedfromthebroadersocialreformmovement
andeffortstoamelioratetheconditionsofwomen(Kaul2000).

Butamajorshortcomingofthemovementatthisjuncturewasthatitwas
essentiallyelitistincharacter.Thereformswereintendedforprivilegedupper
castewomenanddidnottakeupthecauseofthevastmassesofpoorand
workingclasswomen.Also,maleguidedorganisationsstillsawthe
householdasthewomansfirstpriorityanddidnotmakeeffortstoemploy
educationasaninstrumenttoenhancetheirparticipationinsociety.
Theearlynineteenthcenturyalsosawconcertedeffortstowardseducationof
women.Schoolsandeducationalinstitutionspromotingfemalepublic
educationmushroomedacrossthecountry.
Thenationalistmovement
ThepreIndependenceperiodsawwomensissueslinkedtothenationalist
agendaatvariousjunctures.Politicalparticipationofwomen,callingfora
redefinitionofconventionalgenderroles,wasthehallmarkofthisphase.
Womenbeganopenlydemonstratingtheiroppositiontoforeigncontrolby
supportingcivildisobedienceactionsandotherformsofprotestagainstthe
British.Opportunitiestoorganiseandparticipateinagitationsgavewomen
themuchneededconfidenceandachancetodeveloptheirleadershipskills.
Cuttingacrosscommunalandreligiousbarriers,womenassociated
themselveswithlargerproblemsofsocietyandopposedsectarianissuessuch
ascommunalelectorates(Bhatty2002).Politicalconsciousnessamongwomen
grew,owingtoageneralunderstandingthatwomensissuescouldnotbe
detachedfromthepoliticalclimateofthecountry.
Duringthisperiod,theearliestwomensorganisationsformedwithinthe
historicalcontextofthesocialreformmovementandthenationalist
movementweretheWomensIndiaAssociation(WIA),NationalCouncilof
WomeninIndia(NCWI),andtheAllIndiaWomensConference(AIWC)in
1917,1925and1927respectively.Eachoftheseorganisationshighlightedthe
importanceofeducationinwomensdevelopment.
TheWIA,foundedbyMargaretCousinsinMadras,workedextensivelyfor
thesocialandeducationalemancipationofwomen.Associatedwiththe
TheosophicalSociety,itencouragednonsectarianreligiousactivityanddid
creditableworkinpromotingliteracy,settingupsheltersforwidowsand
providingrelieffordisastervictims.
WomeninBombay,MadrasandCalcutta(nowMumbai,Chennaiand
Kolkata)throughnetworksdevelopedduringWorldWarIwork,linkedtheir
associationstogetherandcreatedtheNCWIin1925.Anationalbranchofthe
InternationalCouncilofWomen,itsmostprominentmemberwasMehribai
Tata,whofiercelycampaignedagainstpassivecharityandurgedmento
supportfemaleeducation.

ThemostimportantofthewomensorganisationsofthetimetheAIWC
firstmetinPoonain1927.Thoughitsinitialeffortsweredirectedtowards
improvingfemaleeducation,itsscopelaterexpandedtoincludeahostof
womensissuessuchaswomensfranchise,inheritancerights,tonameafew.
Thetwodecadespostindependencewasmarkedbypassivity(Desai,Patel,
1985).TheConstitutionofIndiadraftedin1950grantedequalrightstomen
andwomen.Aslewofrightssuchastherighttovote,righttoeducation,
righttoentryintopublicserviceandpoliticalofficesbroughtincomplacency
amongwomensgroups.Thoughscoresofwomentookpartinthe
sharecroppersmovementinTelanganainAndhraPradeshin194850andin
antialcoholmovementsinUttarakhandinthe1960s,thisperiodsawlimited
activityintheareaofwomensrights.
Thecontemporarywomensmovement
Thedefiningmomentofthecontemporaryfeministmovementcameinthe
1970s,inthebackdropofthecrisisoftheStateandupsurgeinsocial
movementsagainstgrowinginequalities(Patel1998).TheConferenceon
StatusofWomeninMexicoin1975andthepublicationofthereportonthe
StatusofWomeninthesameyearheraldedthebeginningsofthenewwave
ofthewomensmovementinIndia.Asimultaneousinterestinwomens
studieswasalsotriggered.
Thewomensmovementinthecountryowesitsrevivaltointernational
developmentstoacertainextent.TheappointmentoftheCommitteeonthe
StatusofWomeninIndiawasanoutcomeofinternationalconcernfor
womenssituationworldwide(Dutta2007).TheUnitedNations,sincethelate
1960s,initiatedaseriesofprogrammesinanattempttoaddresstheuniversal
issueofwomensinequalitythroughsettingupfactfindingcommittees.1975
wasdeclaredtheWomensyearand197585theWomensdecade.Theseten
yearswereawatershedinthefeministmovementinIndia,asitwitnessed
threemajorworldwomensconferences,thefirstbeingMexicoin1975.The
burgeoningmovementthengrewinstrength.
Thisstrandofthewomensmovementalsotracesitslinkstothetradeunion
movementinIndia,whichhadremainedlargelyindifferenttothecondition
ofwomenworkers(Bhatty2002).In1972,ElaBhattsetuponeofthemost
significantorganisationsinthehistoryofthewomensmovementtheSelf
EmployedWomensAssociation(SEWA).
Thisphaseofthefeministmovementwascharacterisedbyexperimentation
andlearningeffortstowardspolicymakingweremade.Theemphasison
welfareservicesuntilthemid1970sledtothecreationofanumberofwelfare
boardsresponsibleforfacilitatingformationofwomensgroups.TheIndian
governmentintroducedprogrammesforwomensdevelopmentthe

MinistryofLabourandEmploymentsetupaWomensCell,theEqual
RemunerationActwaspassedin1976andanationalCommitteeonWomen
appointedunderthechairmanshipofthethenPrimeMinsterIndiraGandhi.
Despitetheseattempts,womensissuesonlyappearedmarginallyinpolicies
anddevelopmentschemes.ItwasonlytheSixthFiveYearPlanthatbrought
out,forthefirsttime,aseparatechapteronwomen.
Togiveafilliptowomensstudies,aWomensStudyUnitwassetupin
SNDTWomensUniversity,Bombay,in1974andaCentreforWomens
DevelopmentStudieswasformedin1980.
Alandmarkeventintheearly1980salteredthecourseofthefeminist
movementinthecountry.TherapeofMathura,apoortribalwoman,by
policeofficerswhileinpolicecustodyandtherefusalofthecourttotreatthe
complaintseriouslysparkednationwidecondemnation.Theincidentunified
civilandhumanrightsgroupsandthelegalfraternity,wholabelledthe
courtsdecisionthatitwassexualintercoursewithconsentaviolationofa
womansintegrity.Theydemandedthatconsentinanactofsexual
intercourseberedefined.TheCriminalLawAmendmentAct,1983,was
amendedtoincludeastatutoryprovisioninthefaceofSection.114(A)ofthe
EvidenceAct,whichstatesthatifthevictimsaysthatshedidnotconsentto
sexualintercourse,theCourtshallpresumethatshedidnotconsent.
Urbanmovementsinmajorcitiesthenfocusedtheirattentiononatrocities
committedagainstwomen,particularlyrapeanddowryharassment.
Questionswereraisedaboutpowerstructures,womenssexuality,unequal
accesstoresources,familyviolenceandreproductiverights,tonameafew.
Morewomencametogethertovoicetheirdissentandamassfeminist
movementbegantotakeshape.
TherewasaproliferationofNGOsunitedbyasingularaimtoseek
autonomyforwomen.Womenbegandefiningtheirinterests,articulating
theirdemandsandassumingleadershiproles.
Themovementovertheyearshasthusseenwomenconsciouslycome
togetherandorganisetochangethesystemofcultural,politicalandeconomic
inequityprevailingovertheyearsmakingthemsubservienttomen.

COMPARATIVEANALYSISOFCHENNAIWOMENSORGANISATIONS
Origins
Butwhatisthedrivingforcebehindthecreationoftheseorganisations?A
comparisonoftheprofileswouldrevealthatmostgroupsforwomenwereset
upbywomenthemselvessomebystrongwilledwomenwithapurpose
andafewothersbythosewhohavesuccessfullyrisenabovetheirsufferingto

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makeadifferenceinanotherwomanslife.DurgabaiDeshmukhandJaya
Arunachalamarepioneersintheirownway.Kousalyaa,ofthePositive
WomensNetwork,isaninspirationfornumerouswomenwithHIV/AIDS
fightingfortheirrightfulplaceinsociety.
Afew,suchasTNCDWandAIDWA,areattemptsonpartofthegovernment
orpoliticalpartiestoreachouttothevastmassesofwomenintheState.
Structure
Likemostotherorganisations,severalwomensgroupsfunctionwithatop
downapproachapresidentatthehelmandsubordinates.Mostofthem
operatefromasingleofficemanagedbyafewofficebearerswholookafter
administrativefunctionsandworkersorvolunteerswhogooutintothefield
tocarryoutwelfareandawarenessactivities.Butthereareafewexceptions.
WWFhasachievedremarkablesuccessoverthelastfewyearswithitsunique
bottomupapproach,whichfacilitatesgreaterparticipation.Poorwomen
formthebackboneofthisorganisation,withofficebearerssimplyaidingin
themobilisationprocess.PositiveWomensNetwork(PWN+)hasbranches
acrossthecountrythatfunctionindependently,butcoordinatewiththehead
officeinChennaionaregularbasis.Ideally,anorganisationneedstobe
structuredinawaythatcanminimisehierarchicalbarrierstoeasyexecution
andmaximisereachandimpact.
Funding
Fundingisacrucialcomponentofthefunctioningofthesewomensgroups.
Aquickglanceattheprofileswouldindicatefundflowsfromthefollowing
sources:
Internationalorganisations/banks
Nationalinstitutions/businessgroups
Individualdonorssuchasfriends,wellwishers
Fundraisers
Publicdonations
Central,Stategovernmentsponsorship/governmentaffiliatedagencies
National/privatefinancialinstitutions
Selffunding/membershipfee/collectivecontributions
Thoughtheabovelistinggivesanimpressionthattherearenumerous
avenuesforfunding,therealityisthatmostwomensgroupsaredependant
onlyononeortwoofthesesourcesforsteadysupport.

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Actionareas
Nongovernmentalorganisations(NGOs)areanimportantconstituentofcivil
society,withthepowertogivevoicetotheexcludedwomenandthepoor.
(Feldman1997).TherehasbeenanunprecedentedgrowthofNGOs,
includingthosededicatedtoservingwomen,overthelasttwodecades.
Newwomensorganisationsthathaveemergedoverthelastfewdecadescan
beclassifiedintothefollowing(DesaiandPatel1985):
Autonomousgroupspropagandaandconsciousnessraisinggroups
Grassrootsorganisations
Serviceprovidersgroupsofferingservicessuchasshelters,training
Professionalwomensorganisations
Womenswingsofpoliticalparties
Groupsinvolvedinresearchanddocumentationofwomensissues
MostwomensgroupsinChennaicouldalsobebroadlygroupedunderthese
categories.Abriefdescriptionofthecharacterofsomegroupsprevalentin
thecityformsthefollowingsection.
Advocacygroups
Theseareorganisationsinvolvedexclusivelyinpropagatingissuesaffecting
womenandadvocatinginclusionoflegislationssafeguardingtheinterestsof
womenintheframeworkoflocalornationalpolicymaking.Forexample,the
FeministAssociationforSocialAction(FASA)ledthewayinChennaiin
disseminationofinformationonsexualharassmentanddomesticviolence
andbrokenewgroundsthroughitsrelentlesspursuitforlawstocounter
genderdiscrimination.Theworkdonebyotherorganisationssuchasthe
PennurimaiIyakkam(oneoftheearliestpropagandagroupsformedinthe
city)andPositiveWomensnetworkinraisingconsciousnessintheirareasof
concerngeneralissuesaffectingwomenandfightingthestigmaassociated
withHIV/AIDSisalsonoteworthy.
Advocacyherecanbeunderstoodasprimarilyengagingwithpolicymakers
inordertoinfluencepolicydecisionsandimplementation.Itextendsto
dialoguewithothersocialgroupsandsectionsofsociety,inthiscasewomen,
andmembersofthepublic.Womensgroupsalsoaccordsignificant
importancetoeducatingandmobilisinglargenumbersofthepublictogarner
supportfortheircause.
ThePositiveWomensNetwork,forexample,constantlyspreadstheword
aboutexistinggovernmentschemesavailabletowomenwhohavetested
positiveforHIV/AIDSthroughoutreachandawarenessprogrammes.PCVC
isapartofaglobalOXFAMWeCanEndViolenceagainstWomen

12

campaignthatseekstoendallformsofviolenceagainstwomeninsix
countriesbyinspiringordinarypeopletobecomechangemakers.
Demonstrationsandralliesareyetanothermediumofexpressingdissentand
callingforchange.ThePennurimaiIyakkamtakesupissuessuchasviolence
inmarriageanddowryharassmentandtakesontothestreetstoprovoke
thoughtandbringtotheforeproblemsthatwarrantimmediateattention.
Advocacyalsofindsexpressioninprintedorwrittenmaterial,suchas
brochures,pamphlets,researchprojects,annualreportsorbooks,whichhelp
tofurthertheawarenessbuildingfunctionofthesewomensgroups.For
example,theWorkingWomensFederationbringsoutperiodicalpublications
highlightingitsprogrammesandachievements,inadditiontoitsbiannual
newsletterGROOTSGrassrootsOrganisationsOperatingTogetherin
Sisterhood(SouthAsia).Suchpublicationsaremutuallybeneficialpublic
awarenessononehandandpublicityforthegroupsontheother.
Serviceproviders
Severalwomensorganisationsrenderanarrayofservicesforthebenefitof
affectedwomen.Thiscouldincludeanythingfromvocationaltrainingfor
economicempowermenttofreelegalassistancetofightcourtbattles.In
Chennai,theYoungWomensChristianAssociation(YWCA),AndhraMahila
Sabha,WomensEntrepreneurshipPromotionalAssociation,theTamilNadu
CorporationforDevelopmentofWomen,FICCIladiesOrganisation,Joint
ActionCouncilforWomen,MarketingOrganisationofWomenEntrepreneurs
(MOOWES),ARUWE,AssociationforNontraditionalEmploymentof
Women(ANEW)andKaingkaryafallunderthiscategory.Eachofthese
organisationsimplementsaspecificsetofservicesthathavebeeninplace
overseveralyearsandhaveprovedtopositivelyenhancetheeconomicor
socialstatusofwomen.
TheYWCAcanboastofahostofprogrammesforthewelfareofwomen,
childrenandtheaged,includingrehabilitativetherapyformentallyill
women,acommunitycollege,oldageshelterandnurseries.AndhraMahila
Sabha,oneofthepioneeringinstitutionsinwomensdevelopment,runs
hospitals,healthcarecentresandeducationalinstitutions.Twomajorprojects
oftheJointActionCouncilforWomenincludearuralwomensnetworkand
ashortstayhomeforwomenandchildren.MOOWESisaoneofakind
networkthatbringstogetherandtrainsaspiringwomenentrepreneurs.
Mostofthemadheretotriedandtestedprogrammes,thoughthereareafew
thatchallengetheircapacitiesbyexperimentingwithnovelideas.Tocitean
example,theTNCDW,duringitsearlyyearsinthe1980s,attemptedto
providetraininginentrepreneurshiptopoorwomen.Onebatchofwomen
underwentthe7dayprogramme.Butlimitedunderstandingonpartofthe

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womenandrestrictedscopeofthetrainingforcedtheorganisationtorethink
itsapproach,whichthenshiftedtoskilltraining.
Advocacycumserviceproviders
Thiscategory,asthetitleindicates,implementsprojectsaswellaspromotes
thecauseofwomen.AfewexampleswouldbetheFamilyPlanning
AssociationofIndia,ForumforWomensRightsandDevelopment
(FORWORD),InternationalFoundationforCrimePreventionandVictim
Care(PCVC),TheBanyanandCentreforWomensDevelopmentand
Reasearch(CWDR).Butacloseassessmentoftheirfocusareasislikelyto
revealthattheirserviceprojectsassumegreaterimportancethantheir
advocacyendeavours.
PCVCrunsnumerousprojectssuchasacrisisinterventioncentre,an
emergencyshelterforwomenandchildrenaffectedbydomesticviolence,a
communitysupportunitandaprojectforburnsurvivors.Incontrast,its
effortsatadvocacycompriseonlyasingleventureOXFAMsWeCanEnd
ViolenceAgainstWomencampaign.Similarly,FPAsinitiativesinclude
reproductivehealthclinics,healthcareandtestingcentresandcounselling,
buttheonlyformofadvocacyitisinvolvedinissexeducationamongschool
students.
Grassrootsorganisations
Thesecomprisemassbasedorganisationssuchastradeunions,tribaland
agriculturallabourersorganisations.TheWorkingWomensForumisa
typicalexampleofthistype,asitessentiallyhasitspresenceamongpoor
ruralandurbanworkingclasswomen.Itboastsofanexclusivetradeunion
forsuchworkers,calledtheNationalUnionofWorkingWomen,which
servesasaforumforthesewomentofightagainstvariousformsof
oppressionandviolence.FORWORDalso,toacertainextent,involves
grassrootswomeninitsinitiatives,asitsprogrammesarespreadacross
Kancheepuramdistrictandconcentrateonwomenonthefringesratherthan
thoseinthecity.
Eachofthe20organisations,fallingunderoneormoreoftheabove
classifications,profiledinthissectionworkswithdiversegroups,principles,
priorities,objectivesandmethodsonamultiplicityofissuesencompassing
domesticviolence,dowryharassment,discrimination,HIV/AIDS,health,
illiteracyandpoverty.
Networking
Aclosereadingoftheprofileswouldalsoshowthatwomensgroupsprefer
tohavelimitednetworksandpartnershipswithindividuals/organisations
closelyconnectedtotheirareaofwork.Forexample,PCVCpartners

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extensivelywithhospitalsandpolicestationsand,insomecases,localNGOs,
whoreferdomesticviolencecasestothem.
Veryfewattempttobuildrelationshipsbeyondtheirareaofconcern.The
drawbacksoflimitednetworkingwillbediscussedinlaterchapters.
Vision
Aclearvisionforthefuturewheretheorganisationanditsactivitiesare
headingisanintegralaspectoftheagendaofanygroup.Thoughthe
profiledgroupsseemtohavearoughideaofwhattheywanttodointhe
yearsahead,mypersonalviewafterinteractionwiththesegroupsisthatthey
dontseemtobeworkingaggressivelytowardstheirsetgoals.Sustained
focusontheircurrentprojectspushesthiskeycomponenttothebackground.

GROUNDREALITIES
Theprimaryobjectiveofthesurvey,apartfrombringingseveralunknown
womensorganisationsintothespotlight,istoalsomakeapractical
assessmentoftheimpactandefficacyoftheirprogrammes.Thoughthework
donebymostwomensgroupsinthecitytodayundeniablychangespeoples
lives,thereareafewdrawbacksintheirfunctioningthatneedtobediscussed.
Invisibility
Mostwomensorganisationsarenotpresentintherealsenseoftheword.
Mostofthemareofteninvisibletotheoutsideworld,workingwiththeir
specifictargetgroupsandtheirrelatedcirclesalone,thuslimitingtheirreach
tothoseinneedofhelp.FORWORD,forexample,doescommendableworkin
helpingoppressedwomenrebuildtheirlivesthrougheducation.Butan
alreadylimitedpresencecoupledwithnegligiblepublicityofitsworkrestricts
accesstolargernumbersofwomeninneed.WhenIsetouttomeetits
presidentShiamala,thefirsthurdleIencounteredwasitslocationatiny
officeinanarrowstreetinTambaram.Enquirieswithpeoplelivinginclose
proximitytothecentredidnothelpmeeither,asmostofthemareeven
unawareofitsexistence.
Similarly,ARUWE,CWDR,KaingkaryaandWEPAareallinvisibletoa
certainextenttothepublicandneedywomenalike.
Accessissues
Gettingthroughtoseveralorganisationscomprisedthemosttimeconsuming
taskoftheentirestudy,whilefieldworkwasrelativelysimpler.Thelackof
engagementofwomensgroupswithpublicinformationforumswasalltoo
apparent.Internetsearchesthrewupoutdatednumbersandaddresses,
enquirieswithhelplineswereinvainandasmostorganisationsdonothavea
webpresence,acquiringauthenticcontactswasanuphilltask.

15

ThePositiveWomensNetworkistheonlynetworkrunbyHIV+womenin
thecountry.Ihadmadeseveralattemptsoveramonthtogetintouchwith
themthroughrepeatedsearchesontheInternet,theirwebsiteandenquiries
withotherwomensgroupsIcontacted.Ialsovisitedanaddressmentioned
onthewebsiteastheiroffice,onlytofindtheyhadshiftedelsewhere.Again,
theirwhereaboutswereunknown.Iwasalmostabouttogiveupwhena
chancesearchontheirwebsiterevealedanupdatedwebsiteandnew
numbers.MOOWEShasanofficeintheCorporationcomplexinRAPuram,
butholdmeetingsveryrarely,andwereunreachableovertelephone.Itwas
onlythroughenquirieswithanearbyaccountancyfirminthecomplexthatI
managedtogetmobilenumbersofitspresidentandafewmembers.
AttemptstoreachtheJointWomensProgrammeledtoadeadendwith
multipleoutdatednumbersandfalseaddresses.Asaresult,feworganisations
werekeptoutofthestudy,notbychoicebutduetofailuretoaccess.
Butmaintainingacomprehensive,updatedwebsitehasitsownadvantages.
TheBanyanspresenceonlineandonotherforumswassostrongthatany
kindofinformationIrequiredwaseasilyaccessible.SomuchsothatIdidnot
findthenecessitytosetupameetingasallthatIwantedwasavailablein
detailontheirwebsite.
Closedmindset
Itisironicthatsomewomensgroupsarenotopentointeractingwithpeople
fromoutsidetheirimmediatecircles,whilesomeothersactivelyand
consistentlyengageinpromotionalventures.Thisisoneofthereasonswhy
somegroupsdontfindamentioninthisstudy.TheCentreforDevelopment
andWomensStudiesoffersfreelegalaidtowomen,butrepeatedattempts
foranappointmentwereturneddowncitingflimsyreasons.Again,constant
reminderstotheTamilNaduWomensForumoveratwomonthperiod
yieldednoresults.TheFICCILadiesOrganisationandAndhraMahilaSabha
refusedtograntappointments.
Itisalsosurprisingthatmostofthesewomensgroupsareunawareofeach
othersexistence,exceptforestablishedorwellknowngroups.Though
severalwomensorganisationspartnerwiththelocalpolice,hospitalsand
evenlocalNGOs,theyseldomjoinhandstoassistwomeninneed.
FrictionwiththeState
Itwasfoundduringthecourseofthestudythatmostgroupsareaverseto
partneringwiththegovernment,eitherforresourcesorschemes.Common
reasonscitedareerraticsupplyoffundsoranindifferentattitudeto
development.CWDRpresidentRenukabelievesthatgovernmentschemesare
outdated.Weareconstantlyfightingagainstageoldgovernmentpolicies,
shesays.FASAtoo,initsearlyyears,refusedtoacceptgrantsfromany

16

source,includingthegovernment.InthewordsofitssecretarySarah
Mathew,Wedidnotwanttobecalledanybodysstooges.
MOOWESpresidentSeethaRanganathanfeelsthatthegovernmentdoesnot
comeforwardtohelpwomensgroups.Themostpowerfulstatementcomes
fromWWFpresidentJayaArunachalamandIquote:Peopleatthecentre
dontknowhowtoreachwomen.Politiciansaredegradingandthesystem
collapsing.
Declineinadvocacyinitiatives
Mostgroupstodayconcentrateonfinanciallyempoweringwomenthrough
vocationaltrainingandplacements.Advocacyhasbeenrelegatedtojust
anotherfunction,andthenumberofexclusiveadvocacygroupsisafraction
comparedtothoseprovidingotherservices.FASA,forexample,startedout
primarilyasanadvocacygroupandoneofthefirstinthecitycampaigning
relentlesslyagainstsexualharassment.Butovertheyears,ithasgivenupits
advocacyinitiativesandisnowinvolvedinskilltrainingprogrammes.We
dontdoadvocacyanymoreaswefeelthereissufficientlegislationinplace.
Whatisrequiredisawareness,accordingtoMs.Mathew.
ThesameisthecasewiththeJointActionCouncilforWomen,setupwiththe
goaltopromotepolicyinfavourofwomen.Theynowrestrictthemselvesto
trainingprogrammesandtemporarysheltersforwomen.
Funds
LikemostotherNGOs,somewomensgroupsconstantlyhavetodealwith
financialcrisisthroughouttheyear.Whilebiggerwomensgroupsgather
fundsthroughpublicityandfundraisers,smalleroneshavetobesatisfied
withgrantsfromdonorsandwellwishers.Also,whilesomehaveoneortwo
constantsourcesoffunding,othersoftenwaitforfundstoflowintorevive
theirprogrammes.Lackofsupportthusisanotherkeyreasonforwomens
groupsbeinglimitedintheirreachandimpact.

THEROADFROMHERE
WomensgroupsinChennaihaveplayedavitalroleinmotivatingwomen,
especiallyordinarywomen,expressthemselves,overcometheirproblemsand
leadnewliveswithrenewedconfidence.Theyhavebeencreditedwith
bringingabouttransformationintheconditionsandstatusofwomen,
throughcrucialfunctionssuchasdisseminationofinformation,economic
independencethroughskilltrainingandmicrocreditandtherelentlessfight
againstviolence,oppressionanddiscrimination.
Organisationstodayhaveseensuccessprimarilyowingtotheincreased
participationofwomeninmostoftheirendeavours,incontrasttotheearly

17

womensmovementwherementookontheresponsibilityofdecision
making.Butlimitations,whichhavebeendiscussedearlier,doexistandneed
tobedealtwithsystematically.
Inthispaper,Ihavetriedtopresentadetailedpictureoftheworkingof
womensorganisationsspecifictoChennai,butcouldnotcoverall
organisations,asmentionedearlier.Ihave,however,attemptedtoincludeas
diverseagroupaspossible.
Iwillconcludewithafewpointstoponderoverandconsiderforfuture
reference:
Itisimperativethatthewomensgroupsestablishlinkswithgroupsor
movementsthatsharetheirconcernsandcometogethertoforgeabroad
supportnetworktobringaboutchange;
TheyneedtocollaboratewiththeStatetoensureisaccesstolarger
numbersofpoorwomenthroughtheselfhelpgroupprogrammesand
otherschemes.Operatinginisolationonlylimitsthescopeforfurther
development;
Womensorganisationsmustbringintotheirfoldlargernumbersofpoor
women,bothruralandurban,ifusefulwelfareprogrammesaretomakea
visibledifference;
Continuedawarenessandeducationthroughcontinuedadvocacyisa
potentweaponingivingexpressiontosilentvoicesandmobilisingpublic
opinion
Groupsneedtomakethemselvesmorevisible,comeoutoftheirclosed
communitiesandreachouttoalargerpopulace;
Asinglemediumthatcanensurewidereachandeasyaccessisthe
Internet.Womensgroupsmustrealisetheimportanceandpowerofaweb
presenceiftheyaretoretainthecurrentmomentumofactivity.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

AnanthaRaman,Sita.2001.CrossingCulturalBoundaries:IndianMatriarchs
&SistersinService.JournalofThirdWorldStudies.VolXVIII,No.2(Fall).

Bhatty,Zarina.2002.WomensmovementandWomensstudiesinWomens
studiesinIndiaContoursofchange.EditedbyMalashriLal,SukritaPaul
Kumar.IndianInstituteofAdvancedStudy,Shimla.

Desai,NeeraandPatel,Vibhuti.1985.IndianWomenChangeandChallenge
intheInternationalDecade197585.2ndedition.PopularPrakasham,Bombay.

18


Dutta,Kusum.October2007.WomensStudiesandWomensMovementin
Indiasincethe1970sanoverview.TheAsiaticSociety,Kolkata.

Feldman,Shelly.NGOsandcivilsociety:(Un)statedContradictions.Annals
oftheAmericanAcademyofPoliticalandSocialScience.Vol554.TheRoleof
NGOs:CharityandEmpowerment(Nov1997).

Forbes,Geraldine,1998,WomeninModernIndia.FoundationBooks.

Hariss,John.October2005.MiddleClassactivismandPoorpeoplespolitics:
anexplorationofcivilsocietyinChennai.WorkingPaperSeries,
DevelopmentStudiesInstitute.

Kaul,Dr.Vinita.2000.Womenandthewindofchange.GyanPublishing
House,NewDelhi.

Mukherjee,Kanak.April1989.WomensemancipationmovementinIndiaa
Marxistview.NationalBookCentre,NewDelhi.

Patel,Ila.1998.TheContemporaryWomensMovementandWomens
EducationinIndia.InternationalReviewofEducation/Internationale
ZeitschriftfrErziehungswissenschaft/RevueInternationaledelEducation,
Vol.44,No.2/3,SocialMovementsandEducation.

Salgaonkar.P,Seema.2006.Women,politicalpowerandtheState.Abhijeet
Publications,NewDelhi.

19

B.SERVINGCHENNAISWOMEN:PROFILES

AllIndiaDemocraticWomensAssociation(AIDWA)
AndhraMahilaSabha(AMS)
ARUWE
AssociationforNontraditionalEmploymentofWomen(ANEW)
CentreforWomensDevelopmentandResearch(CWDR)
FamilyPlanningAssociationofIndia(FPA)
FeministAssociationforSocialAction(FASA)
FICCILadiesOrganisation(FLO)
ForumforWomensRightsandDevelopment(FORWORD)
InternationalFoundationforPreventionofCrimeandVictimCare(PCVC)
JointActionCouncilforWomen(JACW)
Kaingkarya
MarketingOrganisationofWomenEntrepreneurs(MOOWES)
PennurimaiIyakkam
PositiveWomensNetwork(PWN+)
TamilNaduCorporationforDevelopmentofWomen(TNCDW)
TheBanyan
WomensEntrepreneurshipPromotionalAssociation(WEPA)
WorkingWomensForum(WWF)
YoungWomensChristianAssociation(YWCA)

20

ALLINDIADEMOCRATICWOMENSASSOCIATION(AIDWA)
Howitbegan:AIDWA,thewomenswingoftheCommunistPartyofIndia
(Marxist),wasofficiallyfoundedin1981asanationallevelorganisation.
SmallerStateunits,however,croppedupinthebackgroundofthefreedom
struggle.100peoplesignedupasthefirstmembersoftheorganisationon
December9,1973,inDindugal,accordingtomembers.Thoughwomen
irrespectiveofclassandcastearepartofAIDWA,itsworktargetswomen
fromthelessprivilegedsections.
Whattheydo:AIDWAfunctionsatfivedifferentlevelskilai(branch),
pagudhi(zilla),mavattam(district),manilam(State)andAkhilaIndia
(AllIndia).Ofthe1croremembersenrolledacrossthecountry,TamilNadu
boastsof51/2to6lakh,withtheorganisationhavingbranchesin34districts.
AIDWAworkstomobilisewomenacrosslevels,fromtheremotestdistrictsto
theurbanheartland.TheannualmembershipfeeatAIDWAisRs.1.
DemonstrationsareAIDWAsmostpotentmethodofeffectingchange.
Memberstaketothestreetsinlargenumbersprotestingagainst
discriminatorymeasuresorlaws,domesticviolence,dowryharassmentand
otherissuesconcerningwomen.AIDWAslegalaidcentrefirstattemptsto
findasolutiontowomensproblemsbycounsellingpartiesinvolvedinthe
disputeandeffectreconciliation.Ifthisattemptfails,theyguidewomen
regardingthefuturecourseofaction,suchasfilingapolicecomplaint.
Networking:AIDWAworkscloselywiththepoliceandareapartofthe
PoliceAdvisoryCommittee.
Funding:Thegroupdependsentirelyonfundsreceivedthroughpublic
donationsandmembers.
Futureplans:AIDWAhopestonetworkwithmoreNGOsforwiderreach.In
keepingwiththeirobjectivetomobilisewomen,memberswantlarger
numberofwomentocomeforwardandexpresstheirproblems.Asustained
movementtofightforchangeoflegislationtobenefitwomenisalsoonthe
cards.

21

ANDHRAMAHILASABHA
Howitbegan:Thisdoyenofthewomensreformmovementsetexamples
veryearlyinherlifewithherradicalthinking.FascinatedbyMahatma
Gandhisideals,DurgabaiDeshmukhbecameactivelyinvolvedwiththe
IndiannationalCongress.ShewasimprisonedduringtheSaltSatyagrahaand
senttotheVellorejail,wherethemiseryandignoranceofotherwomen
prisonersmovedhergreatly.Thisexperiencestrengthenedherresolveto
workfortheupliftmentofwomenandthedowntrodden.
In1938,shestartedtheAndhraMahilaSabha(AMS),aninstitutiondedicated
toworkingtowardstheempowermentofwomen.Thebasisforthecreationof
theumbrellaofinstitutionscollectivelyknownastheAMSinMadrasand
HyderabadcouldbetracedtotheBalikaHindiPathsalathatDurgabai,asa
youngwoman,setupinherhometownKakinada.ItisnotablethatMahatma
GandhilaidthefoundationstonefortheMahilaVidyalaya,thefirstofthese
institutions.Overthelast60years,AMShasestablishedhealthcarecentres
andhospitals,educationalinstitutionsandlegalaidcentresforwomen.
Whattheydo:Asthepremierwomensorganisationinthecountry,AMShas
focuseditsactivitiesoneducation,healthcare,empowermentandcaringfor
theaged.Itsinitiativesincludethefollowing:
EducationAMSrunsinstitutessuchastheAndhraMahilaSabha
CollegeofArtsandScienceandAndhraMahilaSabhaSchoolof
Informaticsfacilitatinglearningandtrainingforwomen
Healthcare:Hospitalsandhealthcarecentresprovidefreetreatmentto
theneedy,inadditiontorehabilitatingdifferentlyabledchildren
Empowerment:Literacyoutreachprogrammes,counsellingandteacher
trainingprogrammesareafewsupportservicesavailabletowomen
Carefortheaged:Disadvantagedseniorcitizenscanbenefitfromthe
shelterandfoodAMSprovidesatnominalrates

22

ARUWE
Howitbegan:Asmallgroupofyoungsterstrainedinprofessionalsocial
workstartedARUWEin1992withaviewtopromotethedevelopmentof
weakersectionsofthesociety,especiallydeprivedwomenandtheaged.The
organisationwasregisteredin2000.
Whattheydo:ARUWEcaterstotheneedsofaround30elderlywomen
abandonedbytheirfamilies.Thedaycarecentreprovidesfood,medicalcare
andclothing.Thewomenalsolearntomakephenylandkeepthemselves
occupieddoinghouseholdchores.Amedicalprofessionalexaminesthe
womenattheCentreeveryWednesdayandrefersthemtohospitalsif
necessary.
ARUWEalsocounselswomenwhoapproachtheorganisationforhelp.Most
ofthemarevictimsofdomesticviolence,harassedphysicallyand
psychologicallybytheirhusbands.Withtheaidofprofessionallytrained
counsellors,attemptsaremadeathelpingthesewomenreconcileandrebuild
theirlives.
ARUWEalsoruns12selfhelpgroupsforwomeninthreeslumsin
Aynavaram.ThegroupsareguidedtoopenanaccountwiththelocalIndian
Bankbranch.Thewomenstartoffborrowingsmallamounts,repaythemand
goontotakebiggerloans.Twoofthemostactivegroupshavemanagedto
saveRs.25,000inathreeyeartimeframe.Thegroupsalsomeetevery
Wednesdaytoopenlydiscussfamilyproblemsandsuggestsolutionsto
everydayissuessuchashealthandhygiene,educationetc.Theinteraction
servesasameansofcatharsisforthesewomen,whootherwisehaveveryfew
avenuestoexpresstheirproblems.
Vocationaltrainingsuchasmanufacturingphenyl,agarbathisandSabena
throughresourcepersonsisalsoprovidedtowillingwomen.Theroleof
ARUWEhereisthatofafacilitatortheysuggestideas.Theonusisonthe
womentotakeitforward.Theemphasisisoncommunityparticipationthe
interestandenthusiasmofwomeniswhatdrivesthegroups,and
consequentlytheprogrammes.
Funding:ARUWEisfundedbydonorsandfriends.
Networking:TheorganisationpartnerswithMadrasChristianCouncilfor
SocialService(MCCSS),wherewomenarereferredtoforlegalaidand
intervention,InternationalCentreforCrimePreventionandVictimCareand
thePennurimaiIyakkam.
Futureplans:ARUWEhopestoprovidetrainingintailoringforwomenand
expandtheirsmallscaleindustryactivities.

23

ASSOCIATIONFORNONTRADITIONALEMPLOYMENTOFWOMEN(ANEW)
Howitbegan:Annalakshmisdomestichelphadnumerousstoriestotellof
hereverydaystruggleforsurvivalandherinabilitytoeducateherchildren.In
1997,aninspiredAnnalakshmi,withsevenotherlikemindedpeople,
discussedwaystohelpthepoorovercometheirproblems.AndANEWwas
born.Over11years,theorganisationhastrainedaround3,013womenacross
18to40yearsinaseriesofactivities.
Whattheydo:ANEWprovidesfreetrainingforyoungwomenfrom
underprivilegedfamiliesandhelpsthemtogetaccesstopracticaljobskills
andselfsustainingemployment.ANEWtakesinyoungwomenwhohave
completedatleastClassX.Theyhavetoappearforatestpriortojoiningthe
course,primarilytodeterminetheirEnglishproficiency.Traininginspoken
English,dependingontheirlevel,iscompulsorytofacilitateaworking
knowledgeofthelanguage.
ANEWsprojectscanbedividedintofivebroadcategories:
1. Housekeeping: This fourmonth project, started on August 31, 2007, offers
trainingtoserveinfivestarhotels.Theyoungwomenreceiveastipendof
Rs.250 per month for two months. The course is open to girls from low
income groups, from families whose monthly income is not more than
Rs.5,000,andwhoareunabletopursuehigherstudies.Regularfollowups
are also conducted once the students complete the course and receive
placements.
2. DiplomainComputerApplications:Thethreemonthcomputercourseoffers
training in basic and most commonly used applications, including
Microsoft Office and the Internet. Young women are required to appear
foraninterview,whichwillassesstheirEnglishlanguageproficiencyand
pertinentskills.Upto63batchestotaling1,278womenhavecompletedthis
training.
3. Car driving: This is one of ANEWs most novel and successful
programmes.Havingstartedoffwithfive,ANEWhastrained51women
untilnow.Youngwomenareprovideddrivertrainingandareguidedto
obtain licenses for automobiles. Such graduates now work as chauffeurs
and valet parking attendants at fivestar hotels as well as automobile
drivers for airline crew and passengers at the Chennai Airport. For
example,in2005,ofthe51girlstrainedtodriveautomobiles,75%ofthem
received placements. Around 29 girls were provided autorickshaw
training. The training is carried out in collaboration with the Institute of
Road Transport Corporation. Students get a certificate from the
AutomobileAssociationofSouthIndia.TheyarethensenttoHotelSavera
forlessonsindrivinghighendcars.

24

4. Autorickshaw driving: This aim of this project is to train women to drive

autorickshaws primarily to transport children to school. Around 29 girls
havegraduatedsofar.
5. Homenursing:Thecourseimpartswomenskillsneededtocareforpatients
recoveringathomeandeldersrequiringhomegeriatriccare.Thetargetis
poorgirls passingoutoffreegovernmentschools.ACertificateinHome
Nursingcareisawardedoncompletionofthefourmonthcourse.During
the first two months, women are trained in fundamental principles of
homenursinginaclassroomsetting.Thethirdmonthexposesthetrainees
toreallifesituationsattheDr.RangarajanMemorialHospital.Thefourth
month is dedicated to onthejob training at old age homes. A stipend of
Rs.150 per month is given to the trainees. So far, 1,060 girls across 46
batcheshavebeentrainedandemployedinvarioushomesinChennai.
Inaddition,theyalsooffercounselingandselfawarenessclassesfor
personalitydevelopment.Classesinetiquette,verbalcommunicationandsoft
skills,thankstoatieupwithSathyam,areoneverySaturdayattheInstitute.
Funding:ANEWsprogramsarefundedentirelybydonors.Theyalso
organisefundraisersonceintwothreeyears.
Networking:TheorganisationcollaborateswiththeSundaramMedical
Foundation,CIOSA,ChennaiWellingdonFoundation,SCARF,theBanyan,
TamilNaduFoundationandtheFICCIwomenswingtonameafew.
Futureplans:ANEWplanstogetintoheavyvehicletrainingforwomen.
Theyarealsolookingtoinvitemoreresourcepersonsforspeciallecturesfor
theyoungwomenandintroducetimemanagementcourses.

25

CENTREFORWOMENSDEVELOPMENTANDRESEARCH
Howitbegan:Theorganisationwasstartedin1993bythreewomenactivists
whofelttheneedforaplatformtohelpaddresstheproblemsofpoorwomen.
Whatstartedoutasanorganisationimpartinghumanrightstraining
graduallygrewintothevoiceofnumerouswomendomesticworkersin
Chennai.AccordingtoitspresidentK.R.Renuka,theroughly1.5millionof
thepoorestofthepoorwomencomingundertheunorganisedsectorin
Chennaialonehadnorights,nofixedpayandleadaslaverylikelife.
Theproject,startedinitiallywithfiveslumsinThiruvamiyur,Chennai,has
nowexpandedtocoverwomenin85slumsin16districtsacrossTamilNadu.
Whattheydo:TheorganisationsinitiativesManushiandSnehidhirevolve
aroundwomendomesticworkersandadolescentgirlsinslumsrespectively.
Theprogrammesoffercounselling,leadershiptraining,awarenessofgender
issues,educationandtraininginlifeskills.TheSnehidhiprogrammetook
rootsin2002,afteraneedfeltforsexeducationamongadolescentgirls.
Mothers,whowereinitiallyunwillingtosendtheirdaughters,werealso
counselledontheimportanceofsexeducationfortheirchildren.
Inaddition,thegirlswerealsotaughttailoringandbasiccomputer
applications.InformationandCommunicationtraining,includinglessonsin
softwaresuchasLINUX,creatingandupdatingTamilwebsitesandtaking
videoandshortfilmsarealsointegraltothetraining.
Thethrustoftheorganisationsprogrammesisoneducationtoencourage
girlstoleadselfsufficient,independentlives.
Improvingthelivesofsinglewomenisanotherimportantobjectiveofthe
organisation.Singlewomenhererefertowidows,destitutesandthosewho
areunmarried,mostofthemabove35yearsofage.(FromAstudyabout
SingleWomenbyCWDR,December2006).Discriminatedagainstanddenied
ofallrights,thisvulnerablegroupisprimepriorityforCWDR.
TheorganisationisagainsttheSHGmovementasitfeelstheydonotdiscuss
womensissuesnoraidinempowerment.Whatthemovementneedsisan
improvementinstatusandinnovativestrategiestofightcompetition,feesMs.
Renuka.
Leadershiptrainingisalsobeingimpartedtowomeninpanchyatsandward
members.
Advocacyandlobbyingwiththegovernmentformsanimportantpartofthe
organisationsagenda.In1997,domesticworkerswereincludedintheTamil
NaduDomesticWorkersWelfareBoard.Withthis,themovementtostarta
tradeunionforthecategorythengainedmomentumandin2005Manushi
wasborn.In2007,domesticworkersgottheirownwelfareboardtheTamil

26

NaduDomesticWorkersWelfareBoard.Earlythisyear,onMarch4,a
GovernmentOrder(No.23)soughttobringwelfareboardsundertherevenue
department.Opposingthemove,theorganisationmetwithMLAsand
garneredsupportagainsttheattempt,holdinglargescaleprotestsand
demonstrations.ByanApril10order,themovewaswithdrawn.
Thetradeunionissubscriptionbased,with3,000womenregisteredinZone
10alone.(Zone10incorporatesSanthometoThiruvanmiyur,notifiedslums
intheseareasandthoseinKannagiNagar).Womenbetween18and35years
ofageareeligibletoenrollinthewelfareboard.
Funding:CWDRisfundedbyGermanorganisationAndheriHilfe,
volunteersanddonors.
Networking:TheorganisationhastieupswiththeNationalAlliancefor
WomensOrganisation(NAWO),theTamilNaduWomensMovementand
othertradeunions.
Futureplans:CWDRisworkingtowardsinitiatingamovementforhigher
payscalesforwomendomesticworkersandstrivingforprofessional
recognitionforsuchworkers.Plansareontointroducesensitisation
programmesformen,especiallytheyouth,ongendertrainingandproblems
facedbywomen.

27

FAMILYPLANNINGASSOCIATIONOFINDIA(FPA)
Howitbegan:AIDS,abortion,adolescents,accessandadvocacytheseform
thecoreoftheFamilyPlanningAssociationofIndiasinitiativesacrossthe
country.Foroverhalfacentury,FPAIndiahasbeenatthevanguardofahost
ofnovelmeasures,rangingfromsexualityandpopulationeducationto
womensempowermentandcommunityparticipation.With40branches
acrossthecountry,theorganisationbroadlyworkstowardscreating
awarenessamongpeopleofsexualandreproductivehealth,familyplanning
andHIV/AIDS.Itendeavourstopromotesexualandreproductivehealth,
especiallyamongthemarginalisedsectionsofsociety.FPAIndiaisafounder
memberoftheInternationalPlannedParenthoodAssociation,theworlds
largestnongovernmentalorganisationadvocatingsexualandreproductive
healthandrights.
Whattheydo:Fromreproductivehealthclinicstoawarenessprogrammesin
schools,FPAsactivitiesarespreadacrossahostofsectors.TheReproductive
HealthandFamilyPlanningCentre(RHFPC)looksafterabortioncases,
emergencycontraceptionandotherissuesrelatedtoreproductivehealth.
WomenandchildrenarethefocusgroupoftheAVMclinicinVadapalani,
offeringprenatalandpostnatalcare,treatmentforgeneralailmentsand
othermedicalassistance,includingregularfollowups.Counsellingfor
womenandadolescentgirlsformsavitalpartoftheirprogrammes.Women
receiveguidanceinchildcareandyounggirlsaregivenlessonsonthe
physiologicalchangestheyexperienceduringadolescenceandinhygiene.
AnurbancentreinK.K.Nagar,aidedwhollybytheChennaiCorporation,
providesvaccinationfacilitiesforwomenandchildren.TheIntegrated
CounsellingandTestingCentreoffersfacilitiesforHIV/AIDStestingand
bloodtests.
FPAbelievesininvolvingthecommunityforbetterresults.Fieldworkers
sensitisepeoplebyinvitingthemforsessionsonvarioustopics.The
organisationalsotrainspolicewomenindealingwithdistressedcouples.The
womendirectcoupleswithmaritalproblemstoFPAIndia,whichthen
initiatesappropriatemeasurestoeffectreconciliation.
FPAIndialaunchedapilotprojectonlessonsinsexualandreproductive
healthatthehighersecondarylevelinfourofthetwentygovernmentschools
in2006.Itaimstocover15bytheendofthisyearandtheremainingbynext
year.
AnotherimportantongoingprojectistheJapanTrustFundinitiative.FPA
IndiarunsadropinclinicforMenhavingSexwithMen(MSM),personswith
substanceabuse,IntravenousDrugUsers(IDUs)andcommercialsex
workers.Thehighlightoftheprogrammeistheparticipationof

28

transgenderedpersonsinspreadingawarenessofthecausesandpossible
preventionmeasuresofHIV/AIDSamongtheabovementionedsections.
Funding:TheentiregamutofFPAsprogrammesarefundedbytheJapanese,
astheyaretheprimarysourceoffundingfortheIPPFaswell.
Networking:Theorganisationhasjoinedhandswithanumberoflocalnon
governmentalorganisations,CAPACS,thecityCorporation,schoolsand
othereducationalinstitutionsforadvocacyandpromotionofsexualand
reproductivehealthandrightsandfortieupsforcapacitybuildingand
technicalsupport.
Futureplans:FPAisinitiatingamovementtointroducesexeducationin
schools.Thisisofgreatsignificanceespeciallyintimesoferodingfamily
relationships,feelsChennaibranchmanagerS.Gopalakrishnan.

29

FEMINISTASSOCIATIONFORSOCIALACTION(FASA)
Howitbegan:ItwasyetanothersessionatthelaboratoryforJulieJohn,a
doctoratestudentofbotanyatMadrasUniversityduringthelateeighties.A
prettygirl,shewashabituatedtoattentionfromtheoppositesex.Butwhat
shewasnotpreparedforwasmisconductbyafellowresearcher.Acomplaint
registeredwiththeheadofthedepartment,withtheaidoftwodepartment
teachers,wasinvain.EvaMathew,principalofEthirajCollegeatthetime,
thenwrotetothegovernordemandinganinvestigationintothematter.
Thecasethenwenttocourt.Themalestudentwasletoffwithawarning,but
notbeforebeingseverelyreprimandedbythejudge.Hefiledtwocases,one
againstJulieandoneagainstalecturerforhavingdefamedhim.Itwasthe
financialstrainandmentalharassmentfacedbythelecturerovertheyears
thatcementedFeministAssociationforSocialActionfounderSarah
Matthewsdeterminationtosetinmotionthemovementforalegislationon
sexualharassment.ItwasalsothisincidentthatbroughtFASA,startedin
1989,totheforefrontofthestruggleagainstsexualharassmentanddomestic
violence.
Whatfollowedwasamajorworkshoponsexualharassment,thefirstofits
kindinChennai,fundedbytheNationalCommissionforWomen.Astudyto
determinetheextentofprevalenceofsexualharassmentinthecity,
conductedbyDr.K.Shanti,professorofEconomicsatMadrasUniversity,
broughtoutintotheopeninstancesofharassment.Thisinitiatedchangethe
ViceChancellorofMadrasUniversityintroducedamethodologyfor
reportingsuchincidents,whichthenbecamethemodelforothersuch
legislationsinUniversityGrantsCommissionuniversities.
FASA,initsearlyyears,alsocontributedtotheDomesticViolenceAct.Prior
totheintroductionofthepresentact,FASAorganisedregionalworkshopsto
helppromotecollectivethoughtandsuggestionontheissue.Theamended
legislationnowmandatesthataProtectionOfficerbeappointedinevery
district,incontrasttotheearlierActwheretheonlyrecoursewastoregistera
complaintwiththepolicestation.Also,theofficerwasmadeaccountabletoa
higherauthoritytomakehis/herrolemoreeffective.
ThebirthofFASAalsocoincidedwiththebeginningofthewomensstudies
movementinthecountry.Withthespotlightonadvocacy,theorganisations
primaryobjectivewastocounterdifferentformsofgenderdiscriminationand
spreadawarenessofgenderissues.FASA,intheinitialyears,spokeout
extensivelyagainstdomesticviolence,sexualharassmentanddesertion.
Ms.Matthew,afteryearsofhandlingcasesofdomesticviolence,isofthe
opinionthatmostwomensufferingfromviolenceonlywanttoendit,not
breakawayfromfamily.Shefeelsonethirdofdistressedfamiliescanbe

30

reconciledthroughcounselling.Butifreconciliationcannotbeeffected,the
officerinvolvedinthecaseshouldbewillingtogothewholehogtoprotect
thewoman,sheadds.
Whattheydo:Asanadvocacyorganisation,FASAprimarilyconducts
seminarsandworkshopstoeducatewomenonthecourseoflegalaction
availabletothemincasesofdomesticviolenceandsexualharassmentand
informonhowtoaccessinformationandlegalrecourse.
Atthestart,FASAfelttheneedtoexperiencethevictimisationofwomen
firsthand.Acounsellingcentreinthegovernmentestatein1992servedasa
forumforaffectedwomentovoicetheirgrievancesuntil34yearsago.
Anotherinitiativestartedthisyearrevolvesaroundruralwomen.Withaview
toaugmentincome,FASAsvocationaltrainingprogrammesincludenursing
aid,beauticiancourseandneedleworkforwomeninTiruvallur.
IncollaborationwithRotary,FASAalsoreachesouttoyoungwomeninrural
areasthroughtheSelviproject.Apersonalitydevelopmentprogrammefor
thewomenincorporatesanddisseminatesafairamountofgender
empowermentandawareness.Thegoalistotryandworkwitheach
individualwomanandstrengthenher,saysMs.Matthew.
Networking:FASAhasjoinedhandswiththeRotaryClubandfewother
organisationsfortheirinitiatives.Butitislookingtodeveloppartnerships
withseveralmoretoreachouttomorewomenthroughitsawareness
programmes.
Funding:Theorganisationsactivitiesarefundedbycontributionsfrom
members,inadditiontofundsreceivedfromdonorsorthroughfundraisers
heldoccasionally.
Futureplans:FASAsroleovertheyearshastransformedfroman
organisationcomprisingonlyacademicsandprofessionalsdiscussingissues
inwomensstudiesfromdifferentperspectivestooneengagingin
developmentofwomen.DevelopmentadvocacyisFASAsagendaforthe
future.Theemphasiswillbeonspreadingthewordonexistinglaws,asthere
issufficientlegislationinplacebutnotenoughawarenessamongwomen
regardingthesame,accordingtoMs.Matthew.

31

FICCILADIESORGANISATION(FLO)
Howitbegan:Itwastwentyyearsagowhenfivewomenweredeterminedto
createaspacetopromoteentrepreneurshipandbusinessacumenamong
womenprofessionals.FLOwasborn,providingaplatformforwomento
expresstheirconcernsandanopportunitytoexcelintheirchosenbusiness
endeavours.HeadquarteredinDelhi,themovementnowhasnowspread
throughoutthecountry,carryingoutitsobjectivesthroughseveralchapters
withoverathousandmembers.
TheChennaiChapter,thefirstregionalChapterofFLO,wassetupin1996.
Withpowertoempowerastheirmission,otherFLOchaptersinCoimbatore,
Hyderabad,Jaipur,KolkataandMumbaiserveasnodalcentresandreachout
tootherareasofthecountry.
Whattheydo:FLO,throughitsdiverseprogrammes,worksintheareasof
economicempowerment,education,communitydevelopment,healthand
literacy.Theonlynationalleveltradeorganisation,italsoservesasaforum
forwomentointeractandshareideas,experiences.Theyincludethe
following:
Personalitydevelopmentexpertsareinvitedtoaddressmembersto
encouragethemtostrivetosucceed
AwarenessprogrammesFLOorganisesseminars,debatesand
discussionswherewomenspecificissues,fromhealthtoinvestment
planning,aretakenupandthewomenguidedtomaketheright
decisions
BusinessconsultancysuchcellsinDelhi,ChennaiandHyderabadoffer
freeprofessionalguidancetoentrepreneursrequiringassistancein
runningtheirunits
Trainingworkshopsandtrainingprogrammesunderthreebroad
categorieshelptoenhanceawarenessandcultivateskillsincome
generationprogrammesfortheunemployedandartisans,skill
developmentworkshopsforeducatedyouthandskillenhancement
programmesformanagerialgroups.Womenarealsoimparted
vocationaltraininginahostofprofessionsincludingmanufacturing
andtheserviceindustry
Recognitionoutstandingcontributionsofentrepreneurs,professionals,
socialworkersandinstitutesarerecognisedeveryyearandawards
presentedundertwocategoriesnamelyOutstandingwoman
entrepreneurandOutstandingwomansocialworker.TheChennai
Chapterinstituteditsownawardsin200405toencouragewomenat
theregionallevel.TheWomanoftheyearawardisgiventoeitheran
entrepreneuroraprofessional

32

YoungFLO:Youngprofessionalsbetween20and39yearsareapartof
thiscommunitythatlendsvibrancytoFLOsendeavours
Funding:TheorganisationfunctionsundertheaegisoftheFederationof
IndianChambersofCommerceandIndustry,withadequatesupportinterms
ofresourcesandinfrastructure.
Networking:FLOcollaborateswithgovernmentbodiesandotherlike
mindedgroupsthataddressspecificneeds.HannsSeidelFoundation,a
Germanorganisation,supportsthetrainingprogrammesorganisedbyFLO.
Aninterstatemeetconductedeveryyearallowswomentointeractwith
membersfromotherchapters.

33

FORUMFORWOMENSRIGHTSANDDEVELOPMENT
Howitbegan:ShiamalaBabywasundertheimpressionthatitwasher
husbandsrighttobeather.Havingbeenbroughtuptobesubmissiveand
taughttoavoidconfrontation,shedidntstanduptohimorseekouthelp.
Abusedandconfinedtoaroomfor10years,shewastotallyunawareofher
rightsuntilhumanrightsorganisations,journalistsandthepolicecametoher
rescuein1987.Herhusbandwasarrested.ButShiamalaknewwhatshe
wantedtodointhefutureeducatewomenontheirrights.FORWORDthus
cameintobeingin1992tohelpbatteredanddeprivedwomenlive
emotionally,socially,educationallyand,mostimportantly,economically
secureandselfsufficientlives.Iwasbroughtuptobepassiveandtimid.
Eventoday,mosteducatedwomentoodonotknowtheirrights,shesays.
Whattheydo:Withselfidentityandselfconfidenceasbuzzwordsanda
wholistic,abundantlifeforwomenastheirmotto,FORWORDreachesoutto
oppressedwomenprimarilythroughawarenessandeducationprogrammes.
Apartfromcounsellingprogrammesandadvocacy,regularseminarsand
workshopsondomesticviolenceareconducted.FORWORDworkswith
variousgroups,acrossChennaianditssuburbsandinKancheepuram
district,atdifferentlevels.
Dalitwomen/adivasis
Womeninunorganisedsectors
Womenincrisis(victimsofdomesticviolence)
Sexworkers/womenwithHIV/AIDS
Tsunamivictims
Childrenoftheabovementionedsections
Theorganisationhasevolvedsuitableprogrammesforwomenacrosscoastal,
ruralandurbanareas.Thespotlightisonprovidingrevolvingfundfor
womenalongthecoastforsellingfish.Womeninvillagesaretrainedin
agriculturaloperations,organicmanuremaking,vermicultureandorganic
farming,whiletheirurbancounterpartsareencouragedtosetupsmallscale
industries.
Sexworkersareofferedhealthandemotionalsupportandencouragedto
fightthestigmaassociatedwithHIV/AIDS.
Around350childrenattendeveningclassesacrossFORWORDs13centres.In
additiontoacademics,theemphasisisonimpartingvaluebasededucation
andpromotingdebateanddiscussion.
FORWORDalsostrivestopromotemassmovements.TheEastCoastLand
ProtectionForumfightstosafeguardthelandrightsofpeopleresidingin

34

coastalareas.TheSingleWomenforSocialJusticeForumworkstocreateand
protectlivelihoodrightsofsinglewomen.Whenawomanisdeserted,even
banksarenotreadytogiveheraloan,saysMs.Shiamala.Theinitiatives
agendarevolvesaroundhelpingwomensecuretheirfundamentalrights.
Someoftheirdemandsincludeaminimumoftwoacresoflandforthemand
issuesregardingitslocationetc.
Ms.Shiamalaisoftheopinionthatitishightimethatageoldpracticesand
superstitiousideasbechallenged.Shecitesherowncase.Thesignificanceof
thethaliisquestionable.Myhusbandtorturedmebecauseheassumedhe
hadtherighttodosobecausehehadtiedthethali,shesays.Suchblind
beliefsareregressiveandahurdletoawomansprogressinsociety,she
avers.
FORWORDworksextensivelywithwomeninruralareas,motivatingthemto
emergeoutoftheshacklesofpatriarchalcontrol.Tothisend,itencourages
participatoryleadershipastheroadtofuturedevelopment.
FORWORDsprogrammesreceiveablesupportfromits13parttimestaff,
5060volunteers,skilltrainers,fieldworkersandprogrammecoordinators.
Funding:FORWORDreceivesitsfundsfrominternationalagenciesto
supportitsprogrammes.
Networking:Theorganisationworkscloselywithotherlikeminded
organisations,individualsandNGOs,includingthepoliceandadvocate
groups.
Futureplans:Achurchforwomenwithnoreligiousandtraditionalbarriers
thisisShiamalasdreamforthefuture.Movingawayfromthenormal
definitionofachurch,theDeprivedWomensChurchofElShadaiwillserve
asaplatformforwomentomeettoshareexperiences,relax,prayandsing.
Thiswillbeoneplaceanywomancancallherown,saysMs.Shiamala.

35

INTERNATIONALFOUNDATIONFORCRIMEPREVENTIONANDVICTIMCARE
(PCVC)
Howitbegan:EverysixhoursinIndia,ayoungmarriedwomanisburned
alive,beatentodeathorforcedtocommitsuicide.Statisticsindicatethat14
wivesaremurderedbytheirhusbandsfamilyeveryday,accordingtoa
UnitedNationsreport.Thescourgeofdomesticviolenceclaimsseverallives
acrosstheworld,yetisofteninvisible.TheInternationalFoundationfor
CrimePreventionandVictimCarewascreatedin2001withthesoleaimof
counteringdomesticviolenceandprovidingarangeofservicesforvictims.
Thefoundersoftheorganisationarethreewomen,fromthefieldsof
criminology,criminaljusticesciencesandsociology.
Whattheydo:AllofPCVCsinitiativesandservicesfallundertwobroad
categoriescrisisinterventionandprevention.Theyincludethefollowing:
Shanthicrisisinterventioncentrefordomesticviolencevictims
Astitvaemergencyshelterforwomenandchildren.Theshelteroffers
temporaryaccommodation,whereinthewomanstaysintheshelteruntil
shelearnsaskillandisconfidentoflivingindependently.
Udhayamcommunitysupportunitworkingintandemwithallwomen
policestations
NamKudumbam(OurFamily)PCVCscommunitystrengthening
initiative
Vidiyalprojectforburnsurvivorsofdomesticviolence
SmilesaPCVCprogrammetoreducerisksandimprovelivesofchildren
infamilyviolence
WECANOXFAMsWeCanEndViolenceAgainstWomencampaign:
Withover20alliancesacrosstheState,theSouthAsiaregionalcampaign
aimstogetacrossthemessagethatviolenceisnotacceptablein
relationships.Thegoalofthesixyear,sixcountrycampaign,covering
Pakistan,India,Bangladesh,SriLanka,NepalandAfghanistan,isto
educateandsave5millionwomen.Thefocuswillbeonfightingagainst
traffickingofwomenandgirlsinNepalandhonourkillingsinPakistan.
By2011,thecampaignhopestoinfluence50millionordinarymenand
womenacrossSouthAsiatoopposeviolenceagainstwomenandadopt
moregenderequalpracticesintheirownlives.Beachangemakeris
theirwatchwordoverfivemillionchangeagentswillbemobilised.A
seriesofcommunityprogrammeswilltakethemissionforward.
MostdomesticviolencecasesarereferredtothePCVCthroughpolicestations
wherecomplaintsareregisteredandattheKilpaukgeneralHospitalsburns
ward.Around250260womencomefortreatmentofburns,saysPrasanna,

36

vicepresident,PCVC.Thementalanguishthewomensufferatthatpointof
timemakesimmediatecounsellingimpractical,sheadds.However,
supplementarysupportservicessuchasaplacetostay,treatmentforphysical
injuries,counsellingforemotionalabuse,psychiatrictreatmentformental
abuse,supporttoregaineconomicstability,awarenessonherrights,legalaid
andchildcare,includingtheireducationandifnecessaryadoption,are
offered.
PrasannabelievesthatviolenceinIndiahasitsrootsinculture.Wethinkone
personshouldbeincontroloftherelationship.Wejustdontknowhowtobe
inahealthyrelationship,shepointsout.
PCVCcomesacrosswomenacrossagebarriersandsocialstratawithavariety
ofproblems.Wehavenewlywedscomingandtellingusthiswasnotwhat
theyhadexpected.Also,weseewomenabove5060,whosechildrenhave
settleddown,expressingtheirdesiretobefree,accordingtoPrasanna.
Tolerancelevelsarefastdropping,womendontwanttoputupwithviolence
anymore,sheadds.
PCVCalsoconductsawarenessprogrammesinschoolsandcollegesand
amongcorporatesontacklingdomesticviolenceathomeordealingwith
victims.Womenworkingincorporateofficesaretrainedtoidentifyanddeal
withsexualharassmentatworkplace.
Networking:Theorganisationpartnersextensivelywithhospitalsandpolice
stationsand,insomecases,localNGOs,whoreferdomesticviolencecasesto
them.
Funding:PCVCissupportedbyresearchandtrainingprojectsundertakenby
theorganisationandindividualdonations.
Futureplans:Theorganisationislookingtosetupanationalleveldomestic
violencehelpline.Morecommunityprogrammesinvillagesarealsoonthe
cards.

37

JOINTACTIONCOUNCILFORWOMEN
Howitbegan:Severalgroups,differentagendas,onepurposewomen
empowerment.In1982,seniormembersofaround50NGOsdiscussedthe
needforacommonplatformtovoicewomensconcernsandactivelypromote
policyformation.TheJointActionCouncilforWomenthuscameinto
existencetosupport,upheldandprotecttheinterests,statusanddignityof
women.Apoliticallynonaligned,nonsectarianfeministassociation,itwas
formedasaspontaneousresponsetoacallforcombinedactionbywomen
activistsandgroups.ItwasformallyregisteredonJuly14,1983,functioning
untilthenasanadhoccommittee.
Fromworkingtowardssecuringjustrightsandequalopportunitiesfor
women,acentreforcounsellingwomenindistressandinneedofassistance
andstrivingfortheeconomicandsocialdevelopmentofwomenthrough
variousprojects,JACWsprojectsmirroritsfoundingprinciplesofaiding
oppressedandexploitedwomen.
Whattheydo:JACWisinvolvedintwomainprojects:
1. Sahodarithisnetworkcatersexclusivelyforruralwomen,offeringthem
opportunitiesforpersonalgrowthsuchasvocationaltraining,job
placements,legalcounsellingselfemploymentandawareness
programmesonwomensrightsanddevelopment.SixSahodaricentres
weresetupduring198390,twoinChennaiandtheremainingin
Tirunelveli,Salem,OotyandKumbakonam.75%ofwomenwhoapproach
thecentresarefromthelowermiddleclass,withfamilyincomesofRs.500
permonth,accordingtoSanjidaKhwaja,Secretary,JACW.
2. Aashraya:Thisshortstayhomeofferingtransientshelterforwomenand
childrenisajointeffortoftheAndhraMahilaSabhaandtheJACW.
Aashrayatakesinvictimsofdomesticviolence,widowsorwomenforced
toleavehomesintoitsfold.Theyarecounselledandguidedtobecome
selfreliant,reintegratingthemintosociety.Thecentrereceivesannual
grantstowardscapitalandrecurringexpenditurefromtheMinistryof
HumanResourcesDevelopmentsince1986,theyearofitsinception.
Aashrayacurrentlyprovidesshelterto30womenand10children.
TheCentreforCounselling,ResearchandDevelopment(CCRD),aunitof
JACWsetupin1985,hastoitscreditthreeeditionsofSahaya,adirectoryof
servicesforthepoor,handicapped,theagedandwomenandchildren.
JACWhasinitiatedafewprojectsinasluminGreamsRoad,withhelpfrom
MRFandtheTamilNaduSlumClearanceBoard.Theyincludeadultand
childeducation,tailoringclassesforwomen,acomputercentreandafree
clinicsetupincollaborationwithREACHtoprovidemedicalassistanceto
tuberculosispatients.

38

Funding:JACWsreceivesfundsfromtheCentralgovernmentandfrom
individualdonors.
Futureplans:Theorganisationislookingtosetupadocumentationand
researchcentresoon.

39

KAINGKARYA
Howitbegan:Kaingkarya(meaningnobledeedinSanskrit)wasthebrainchild
ofKaveriNatarajan,aservicemindedteacher,andcameintobeingin1991
withaviewtoservethetwomostvulnerablesectionsofsocietywomenand
children.KaingkaryaprimarilyworkswiththeneedyatThirusoolam,
Chennai.
Whattheydo:TheorganisationsmaideninitiativeProjectVazhikatti:
empowermentthrougheducationwaslaunchedin1992.Theprojectwas
bornoutofaneedobserved,afterextensivefieldworkandinteractionwith
thepoor,forinformationonopportunitiesavailableforschooldropoutsand
thesemiliteratetoearnadecentliving.Anintensivestudyonvocational
trainingprogrammesofferedtowomenandyouthbygovernmentagencies
ledtoabook,Vazhikaati(theguidepost),listingoutavenuesforskill
developmentandtraining.
In1994,KaingkaryaconductedanAIDSawarenessprogramme,with
domestichelpsandmarginalisedsectionsastheprimarytarget.Over2,400
womenacrossChennailearntaboutthediseaseandpreventionmeasures.
FamilyservicecentreswereopenedinfourlocalitiesinChennaiin1995,
offeringcareercounsellingforwomenandyouthbesidesshorttermtraining
programmesforgirlsinWestMambalam,K.K.Nagar,AshokNagarand
MGRNagar.
In1996,Kaingkaryaconductedastudyofthephysicalandpsychological
stresslikelytoaffectgirlsworkinginreadymadegarmentmanufacturing
units.ApartfromawarenessprogrammesonsexeducationandHIV/AIDS,a
teamofsocialworkers,medicalpractitioners,dieticiansandHRexperts
designedprogrammesonfoodandnutritionandimpartedinterpersonal
skillstothewomen.The18monthlongprojectscoverednearly10,000
women.
Asixmonthnursingtrainingprogrammewasspeciallydevelopedforgirls
fromlowincomegroupsunabletopursueeducationbeyondthetenth
standard.Onsince1996,theprogrammehascoveredaround1,000students.
Duringthecourseoftheprogramme,thestudentsaresenttohospitalsfor
practicalexposure.Aftercompletionofthecourse,thestudentsareguidedto
secureplacementsinhospitalsandnursinghomesacrossthecity.
SHGs:KaingkaryaalsorunsSHGsforwomeninThirusoolam,asuburbwith
alargepopulationofwomenquarryworkers.170SHGswereformedinZone
9and8oftheChennaiCorporationcoveringAshokNagar,Saidapet,
MambalamandMGRNagar.Womenweretrainedintailoring,juteand
paperproducts,homemadesanitaryproducts,householditemsandfood
processingtechniques.Agoodnumberstartedtheirownsmallmilk

40

distributionunits,roadsideeateriesetcorfoundworkmostlyingovernment
exportfactories.Butadministrativeandahostofotherproblemsprompted
theorganisationtohandthemovertotheSHGFederation,whichhastaken
uptheprogramme.
Funding:Kaingkaryadependsongrantsfromdonorsandfriends,though
theyhavebeenreceivingaidfromJapanfrom2003forinfrastructure
developmentandnonrecurringexpenditure.
Networking:Theorganisationhastieupswithvarioushospitalsandnursing
homesinChennaiwherethegraduatesofthenursingprogrammereceive
placements.TheyarealsoassociatedwiththeRamakrishnaMath.
Futureplans:Kaingaryasgoalforthefutureistobuildafullfledgedhospital
inThirusoolamtoexpandhealthservicestotheneedy.

41

MARKETINGORGANISATIONOFWOMENENTREPRENEURS(MOOWES)
Howitbegan:MOOWES,apioneerinassistingwomenentrepreneursmarket
products,wasthebrainchildofSeethaRanganathanandJanakiAnanth.It
cameintobeingin1990withinitialassistancefromtheIndianBank.
MOOWESworkstoencouragewomentosetuptheirownmanufacturing
unitsortradeinproductsoftheirchoice.Creatingproductsiseasybutgetting
themtotheendconsumerisachallengethiswaswhatdrovethecreationof
MOOWES.
Whattheydo:MOOWESoffersmembersaplatformtoreachconsumers
primarilythroughparticipatinginexhibitionsorbyconductingexhibition
cumsales.Thisfacilitatesdirectconsumerinteractionasthereareno
middlemen.Customerscanapproachthewomendirectlyandplaceordersfor
productsoftheirchoice,accordingtopresidentSeethaRanganathan.This
kindofaninterfacealsobooststheirconfidence,sheadds.
Onanaverage,womenmembersofMOOWEStakepartinfourtofive
exhibitions,normallyduringorintherunuptoafestival,inayear.Such
exposusuallysee3040memberstakingpart.Fromamodest12members,
MOOWESnowboastsofovera100.
Womenreceivetraininginjutemaking,foodprocessing,tailoringandleather
technologytonameafew.Productstypicallyincludehandicraftitems,
jewellery,jutebagsanddressmaterials.Thememberslargelyemploywomen
intheirunits,thusprovidingemploymentopportunitiestomany.
Inaddition,MOOWESannualfeatureShakthi,anexpositioncomprising
seminars,workshopsandexhibition,isthelargeststageformembersto
showcasetheirproductsaswellaslearnnewskills.Theseminarscovera
widerangeoftopicssuchasfoodprocessing,cosmetology,handicrafts,jute,
exportregulationsandinformationtechnology.
Apartfromthese,womenarecounselledonentrepreneurshipopportunities,
encouragingthemtoexpandbusinessesandidentifynewareasofgrowth.
Networking:MOOWESisalifememberoftheFederationofSouthIndia
ProducersAssociation(SIPA)andWomensIndianAssociation(WIA).Itis
alsoassociatedwiththeAssociationofJuteEntrepreneursofSouthIndia
(AJESI)andthenationalCouncilforJuteDevelopment(NCJD).MOOWES
takespartinshowsorganisedbytheJuteManufacturesDevelopment
Council(JMDC).
Funding:Itdoesnotreceivefundingfromexternalagencies.Members
collectivelycontributeintheeventofanexhibitionoractivity.
Futureplans:Initiatingruralwomenintotheentrepreneurshipmovementis
toppriorityforMOOWESinthenearfuture.Ithopestotakeintoitsfold

42

motivatedruralwomen,trainthemtodevelopskillsandhelpthemmarket
theirproductsinurbanareas.Theorganisationisalsolookingatsettingup
showroomsandmobilesalescounterstohelpmemberssellmoreoftheir
products.Settingupafoodprocessingunitandtrainingcentretoenable
womenfromlowincomefamiliesbecomeselfsufficientisyetanotherproject
thatMOOWEShopestoundertake.

43

PENNURIMAIIYAKKAM(WOMENSRIGHTSFRONT)
Howitbegan:OneofChennaismostwellknowngroupsintheforefrontof
thefightforwomensrights,PennurimaiIyakkambeganitsjourneyin1979.It
wasstartedbyagroupofstudentsandteachersessentiallytoassistand
securejusticeforthemostvulnerableofthissectionmarginalisedand
downtroddenwomen.Themovementnowboastsof4,000membersfrom
acrosstheState.
Whattheydo:Primarilyanadvocacygroup,theorganisationadoptsathree
prongedstrategytoempoweringaffectedwomen:
1. Thefirststageinvolvescounselling,dialogueanddiscussionwiththe
partiesinvolved
2. Iftalksfail,membersthentaketheissueontothebiggerstagethrough
agitationsanddemonstrationsandhandoverrepresentationsto
officialsconcerned
3. Thefinalstepistoapproachcourtstosecurejustice
PennurimaiIyakkamtakesupcasesofwomenaffectedbydomesticviolence,
dowryharassmentandothermaritalproblems.Theyalsoreferwomento
shortstayhomesorhostelsfortemporaryshelteruntiltheirissuesare
resolved.
Networking:PennurimaiIyakkamhasjoinedhandswithotheradvocacy
groupsandorganisationsworkinginthearenaofwomensrightstomeetits
objectives.
Funding:AmembershipfeeofRs.60collectedeveryyeargoestowards
fundingitsvariousactivities.
.

44

POSITIVEWOMENSNETWORK
Howitbegan:Shegavepositiveawholenewmeaning.Forcedtomarryher
cousinat20,KousalyaatestedpositiveforHIVafewmonthsintothe
marriage.Sevenmonthslater,herhusbanddied.Shewasjustcomingto
termswithherpositivestatuswhenapropertydisputethreatenedtomake
mattersworse.Undeterredbyherstatusbecomingpublic,sheapproached
districtauthoritiestofighthercase.Shecameoutofherdespair,drivenbya
missionnottoletwhathappenedtoherhappentosomebodyelseandstrive
foradignifiedlifeforwomenlikeher.In1998,shestartedthePositive
WomensNetwork,anexclusivenetworkofwomenlivingwithHIV,
advocatingchangeandworkingtoimprovethequalityoflifeofwomenand
childrenlivingwithHIV/AIDS.
Whattheydo:PWN+isessentiallyarightsbasedorganisation,involvedin
capacitybuilding,increasingaccesstorights,developingpartnershipsand
advocatingforprogrammeandpolicychanges.Anationwidemovement,its
workisspreadacross13States,withregionallevelcentresineachofthese
Statesfunctioningindependently.Women,whentheyapproachStatelevel
branchesforhelp,becomeapartofPWN+throughtheirsupportmeetings.
TheTamilNaduPWN+networkalonehas2,000members.PWN+activities
includethefollowing:
Bringingtogetherwomenfromallwalksoflifetobuildanactive
nationalnetworkandprovidingopportunitiesforcapacitybuilding
andskilltraining
WorkingtowardssocialintegrationofwomenlivingwithHIV/AIDS
Creatingawarenessofexistinggovernmentschemesavailableto
women,outreachservicesandinformationtoenablewomenmake
sounddecisionsforthefuture
Improvingaccesstoavailableservicesforwomencounseling,
treatmentandhealthcare
Advocacyprogrammesatdistrict,stateandnationallevelstoaddress
issuessuchasdiscrimination,health,livelihood,preventionandcare
andsupportofwomenlivingwithHIV
Evaluationofexistingschemesofgovernmentdepartmentsand
suggestionstoamendthesepoliciestocoveraffectedwomenand
children
Providinglivelihoodopportunities(employment,vocationaltraining
andcredit)forwomenthroughgovernmentschemesandthebusiness
unitofPWN+,SocialLightCommunications

45

Ensuringaccesstoqualityeducationandadignifiedlifeforchildren
affectedbyHIV/AIDS
PWN+membersrunabusinessunitinVillupuramdistrict,marketingsarees.
Ithasalsosetupfreelegalaidcentres,inpartnershipwithSACSandUNDP,
inNamakkal,Madurai,DindugalandKarur.
Funding:Allitsprojectsaresupportedbyinternationalorganisationssuchas
theAmericanJewishWorldService,UNIFEM,UNAIDS,UNICEF,inaddition
toassistancefromtheEuropeanandCanadianHighCommissions.
Networking:PWN+hasawidesupportsystem,collaboratingwithseveral
StateorganisationssuchasCAPACS,theSocialWelfareDepartmentandthe
StateAidsControlSociety,tieupswithhospitalsandbankssuchasStandard
Chartered.
Futureplans:TheorganisationislookingtosetupSHGsforwomenin
Nagapattinamdistrict.

46

TAMILNADUCORPORATIONFORDEVELOPMENTOFWOMEN(TNCDW)
Howitbegan:TNCDWwassetupin1983bytheStategovernmentto
facilitatethesocioeconomicdevelopmentofwomen.Theaimofthe
departmentwastobringaboutempowermentthroughformingand
sustainingselfhelpgroups.TNCDW,whichwasundertheadministrative
controloftheSocialWelfareDepartmenttill2006,isnowapartoftheRural
DevelopmentandPanchayatRajDepartmentwithaviewtostreamline
implementationofschemesmeantforSHGs.Theorgainsationsactivities
coverwomenfromtheruralandurbansectors,mostofthemfromBelow
PovertyLine(BPL)families.
Whattheydo:MostofTNCDWsprogrammesrevolvearoundtheirMagalir
Thittamscheme.BasedontheSHGapproach,theschemeinvolvesnon
governmentorganisationsandothercivilsocietygroupstobringabout
communitydevelopment.Ofthe3,64,000groupsformed,TNCDWislooking
tocover1,50,000groupsbytheendofhisfinancialyear.
TNCDWisinvolvedinformationofSHGs,skilltrainingforitsmembersand
creditratingtomakethemeligibletoapproachbanksforloans.Priortothis
programme,womenwereimpartedtraininginentrepreneurship
developmentforasevendayperiod.Butowingtolimitedinterestand
output,TNCDWrevampeditsprogrammetotrainwomeninsoftskills.A
rangeofskillsistaughtdependingoneachgroupsrequirements,capacity
andeducationalbackground.Womenlearnplasticmouldingand
manufacturing,shoeandchappalmaking,fashiondesigning,zardosiwork,
computeraidedlearning,DeskTopPublishingandpolytechnics.
UndertheMagalirThittamscheme,womenareinitiallyprovidedasubsidy
ofRs.10,000asrevolvingfundundertheSwarnajayantiGramSwarozgar
Yojana(SGSY).Asignificantfeatureoftheschemeistheintensivetraining
providedtobothSHGmemberandresourcepersons.Officebearers,called
AnimatorandRepresentative,aregivenlessonsinleadership,teambuilding
andmaintainingaccounts.
Creditrating,anexerciseundertakentogradethegroupandassessitscredit
worthiness,isahallmarkofthescheme.SHGsbecomeeligibleforcredit
ratingoncetheycompletesixmonths.Decisivefactorsduringthecourseof
evaluationincluderepaymentability,regularityofmeetings,systematic
maintenanceofregistersandpromptnessinsavings.Onceapproved,each
groupiseligibleforaminimumofRs.40,000asloan,inadditiontothe
subsidyofRs.10,000allottedunderSGSY.Theycanalsoreceiveloansfrom
banksordirectlyfromtheState.Asuccessfulsecondcreditratingafteralapse
ofanothersixmonthsallowsthemtostartaneconomicactivity,with
assistancefromSGSYorbanks.

47

UndertheMagalirThittamscheme,groupsofSHGsatthevillagepanchayat
levelcometogethertoformPanchayatLevelFederations(PLF).Womenform
severalspecificcommitteesamongthemselvesthoselookingaftersocial
issues,educationandcivicissuestonameafew.Poolingintalentand
resourcesandencouragingaparticipatoryapproachwillaidin
empowerment,accordingtoS.Madumati,generalmanager,TNCDW.
TheCorporationalsoencouragesmarketingofproductsthroughblocklevel
committees,whichservetoevaluatedemandandmanufacturingpotential.
TheblocklevelfederationsatErodeandPudukottaiareexamples.Around72
PLFsacrosstheState,accreditedasnongovernmentalorganisations,monitor
SHGscomingundertheirpurviewandcreditratethem.
Statelevelexhibitionsareorganisedeveryyearduringfestivalsuchas
Navratriforaperiodof1015days.Thisapart,everydistrictactivelyconducts
monthlyandquarterlyexhibitionsonaregularbasis.
Apartfromprogrammescenteredonwomen,TNCDWalsoconductsseparate
trainingprogammesfortheyouth,whothenreceiveplacements.
Funding:TNCDW,asaGovernmentofTamilNaduundertaking,isentirely
fundedbytheState.
Networking:TNCDWpartnerswithNGOs,governmentdepartmentsanda
hostofprivatecompaniessuchasNokia,L&T,MRFandSaintGobainand
educationalinstitutionssuchasNIFTandAnnaUniversityandTANSACSfor
aidsawarenessprogrammes.
Futureplans:Marketingsocieties,formedbytheDepartmentofRural
Development,havebeenbroughtundertheMagalirThittamandwill,from
nowon,showcaseproductsmadebymembersofthevariousSHGs.TNCDW
alsohopestobringdestitutewomen,widowsintoitsSHGfoldwithinthe
nextfewyears.

48

THEBANYAN
Howitbegan:Anactofcompassionpavedthewayforthecreationofthis
uniquerehabilitationcentreformentallyill,homelesswomen.Vandana
GopikumarwaspursuingherMastersinSocialWorkwhenshespotteda
mentallyillwomanwanderingonthestreetsnearhercollege.Alongwith
friendVaishnaviJayakumar,herattemptstofindshelterforthewoman
yieldednoresults,withmostNGOsandmentalhealthinstitutesunwillingto
takeherin.Theymetwiththesameresponseoverthenextfewmonths.
Disheartened,thetwothentookituponthemselvestodosomethingtohelp
suchwomen.
TheBanyanwassetupinAugust1993,initiallyasashelterandtransithome
fordestitutementallyillwomenhavingwanderedtoChennaifromacrossthe
country.Overtheyears,theorganisationhashelped1,500womenand
successfullyrehabilitatedover800.TheBanyansscopehasgradually
widenedtoincludevocationaltrainingandaseveralmoreinitiativesto
integratesuchwomenintosociety.
Whattheydo:TheBanyansimmediategoalsaretoensuretimelytreatment
andrehabilitationforthementallyillwomen.Itstreatmentandrehabilitation
modelensuresthatthewomennotonlyreceiveshelterandcare,butarealso
encouragedtoleadnormal,productivelives.Withvocationalandrecreational
therapyincorporatedintothetreatmentprocess,theorganisationprepares
themforalifeofselfbeliefandselfsufficiency.
Adaikalam(Tamilforhome)andtheLongStayhomeinOttericurrently
providesheltertoaround380women,inadditiontohousingfacilitiessuchas
consultingrooms,vocationaltrainingunitandarecreationaltherapyunit.
TreatmentatTheBanyanisacombinationofmedical,recreationaland
therapeuticcare,dividedintoshortterm,midtermandlongtermgoals.The
firststepisequippingtheresidentwithskillsrequiredforeverydaylife,from
personalhygienetosocialinteraction.Occupationaltherapyandvocational
trainingcomenext.Thefinalphasefocusesonfindingemploymentforthe
womenandreunitingthemwiththeirfamilies.
Occupationaltherapyactivitiesincludegames,yoga,handicraftstoimprove
concentrationandenhancegroupinteraction.
Animportantaspectoftherehabilitationprogramme,vocationaltrainingis
introducedoncethewomenareabletosatisfactorilyengageandinteractwith
others.Professionalskillinstructorsassesstheinterestsandcapacitiesofeach
womananddesignprogrammesbestsuitedtotheirindividualrequirements.
Trainingisprovidedintailoring,weaving,blockprinting,embroideryand
beauticiancourses.

49

Followupisanintegralpartoftheentireprocess,withteamslookingup
rehabilitatedresidentsathomeormaintainingcontactthroughphoneorby
post.
TheBanyanalsostrivestoincreaseawarenessoftheplightofthementallyill
andgarnersupporttoaidtheircause.Itseekstobringaboutchangesin
governmentpolicyandpositiontowardsthementallyill.Tothisend,the
organisationlauncheditslegalaidclinicattheMadrasHighCourtin2002.
OperatingfromTheBanyan,theclinicensuresthatthelegalrightsof
mentallyillmenandwomenaresafeguarded.
TheBanyansOutpatientClinic(OP),setupin2007,offersfreepsychiatric
consultationtorehabilitatedresidentsandlifelongfreemedication.Members
ofthepublicinneedofpsychiatrictreatmentcanapproachtheclinicfor
assistance.
Funding:TheBanyanmeetsitsexpensesthroughdonationsfundraisers.
Networking:TheorganisationnetworkswithlocalNGOsandthepolice,who
bringtotheirnoticecasesrequiringattention.Tieupswithgarmentfactories,
beautyparloursandsupermarketsfacilitateplacementsforwomenwhohave
undergonevocationaltrainingattherehabilitationcentre.

50

WOMENSENTREPRENEURSHIPPROMOTIONALASSOCIATION
Howitbegan:Theproblemssheencounteredrunninghersmallplastics
manufacturingunittenyearsbacksetherthinking.PremaDesikanwasupset
bytheneartotalabsenceofwomenintheindustrialsectorandthecomplete
lackoftrainingfortheexistingfew.Withyearsofindustryexperiencebehind
her,shethenbegantrainingwomeninthemanufacturingofplastics,herarea
ofexpertise.Consequently,theWomensEntrepreneurshipPromotional
Associationwassetupin2001toaidwomenentrepreneursinvariousaspects
oftheirwork.
Whattheydo:WEPAcontinuouslystrivestoexperimentwithandimplement
newandeffectivemethodsintrainingwomenforemployment,
entrepreneurshipandmarketingandcanvassingfortheirproducts.With
emphasisonmonitoringandmentoring,WEPAempowerswomeninthe
followingways:
Traininginentrepreneurshipdevelopment
Impartinginformationonhealthandhygiene
Vocationaltraining
Exposurethroughseminarsandworkshops
Exhibitions
Trainingfordisabled,keepingwiththeirneedsandcapacities
Guidanceandconsultancyservices
Cosmetics,computerapplications,plasticproducts,foodprocessing,baby
foodsandwebdesigningaremostpreferredbywomenoptingfortraining
programmes,accordingtoMs.Prema.Anywomeninneedofhelpcan
becomealifememberofWEPAforRs.2,000.
Ms.Premaiscriticalofthefunctioningofmostwomensorganisationsinthe
currentscenario.Theystartwithgoodintentions,butarenotpersistent.
WomensorganisationsandNGOsmeetrarely,conductexhibitionsonceor
twiceinayearandthendisappear,shesays.
ElaboratingonWEPAsstandagainsttheselfhelpgroupmovementshe
explains:SHGsinvolveonlyrevolvingfunds,whichhardlyhelpwomen.
Theymakethemdependantonanothersource.Also,accordingtoher,there
aretoomanyofthem,asaresultofwhichthemovementlackscohesiveness.
Itistoorandom.AwomanSHGmembermaynotevenknowtheheadofthe
NGOsupportingher.
Themovementisheadinginadifferentdirection,movingawayfromits
foundingconcept,accordingtoher.Insteadofjustdisbursingfunds,workof
womeninSHGsshouldbemonitoredandtheyshouldbehelpedtogrow,

51

shesuggests.Eventhegovernmenthaswokenuptothereality,sheadds.
Officialsarenowgrantingfundsorotherassistanceonlyaftercheckingthe
progressofactivities.
Contrarytomostotherwomensorganisations,whichcitelackofgovernment
supportorerraticsupportashurdlestoeffectiveimplementationofprojects
orschemes,Ms.PremaisoftheopinionthattheStateiscomingforwardtodo
itsbit.Rather,itsthewomenwhoareindifferentandlackthedrivefor
entrepreneurship,shefeels.Thereareseveralopportunitiesandschemes,
butveryfewwomenwanttouseit.Theywanttheeasywayout.Interest
amongwomeninentrepreneurshiphascomedown.
Butexcessandunwarrantedpoliticalinterventionsabotageseffortstobring
aboutwomensdevelopment,sheacknowledges.Formalitiesarewaytoo
many.Also,higherauthoritieskeepchanging.Therearenosustainedefforts
andthereistoomuchpolitics.
Networking:ThoughWEPAisnotpartoftheSHGmovement,itprovides
vocationaltrainingtomembersofSHGsrunbyothernongovernmental
organisations.Itnetworkswithindividualsandorganisationstosetupunits
forwomenentrepreneurs.
Funding:WEPAissupportedbytheStateBankofIndia,IndianBankandhas
joinedhandswithSIDBI,NABARDforseveralschemes.Italsoreceivesdirect
assistancefromtheCentralgovernment.
Futureplans:Effortsareonforadisplaycentretoshowcaseproducts
manufacturedbythewomenentrepreneurs.WEPAislookingatencouraging
innovativeprojectswithgoodscopeforthefutureandinitiatingtechnology
basedentrepreneurshipasthewayforward.

52

WORKINGWOMENSFORUM(WWF)
Howitbegan:Heavyfloodsin1978insouthernIndiabroughttothesurface
thesqualorandhelplessnessofpoorwomen.JayaArunanchalam,then
workingwiththewomenswingoftheCongressparty,wasappalledbythe
extremepoverty,hungerandinvisibilityofmarginalisedwomenthatshesaw
allaroundherwhileinvolvedindistributingrelieftotheaffected.
Discouragedbythelimitedextenttowhichgrassrootslevelprogrammes
trickeddowntotheneedy,adeterminedDr.Jayasetaboutgivingshapeto
herideaofcreatingacommonplatformtobenefitthepoorestofwomen
throughselfparticipationandpromotingleadership.
TheWorkingWomensForumthuscameintoexistencein1978asa
responsiveorganisation,workingtowardstherightsofpoorwomenand
facilitatingaccesstocredit,education,healthcareandotherfundamental
services.With14branchesinurban,semiurbanandruralareasacrossTamil
Nadu,AndhraPradeshandKarnataka,WWFhasnowevolvedintoasocial
movementofover10lakhwomenspreadacross3,407villagesand2,152
slums.
Whattheydo:WWFisessentiallyamovementofgrassrootswomen,an
initiativecoveringpoorruralandurbanworkingclasswomeninthree
SouthernStates.Theforumsworkersincludeweavers,sericultureworkers,
fisherwomen,beedirollers,lacemakersandhandicraftproducersand
landlessagriculturallabourers.TheForum,overtheyears,hasbeenableto
mobilisescoresofwomenthroughitsinnovativeinstitutionalstructurethat
allowsthemtoparticipateinthegovernanceoftheorganisation,thus
integratingthepooratalllevels.Throughabottomupapproach,WWFhas
succeededinachievingacosteffective,largescaleoutreach.WWFs
programmescoverthefollowingareas:
1. Creditandsavings
2. Unionisation
3. Reproductivehealthcare
4. Microinsurance
5. Leadershiptraining
6. Childlabourrehabilitation
7. Lobbying
WWFhaspromotedtwosubsidiaryinstitutionstoworktowardsempowering
poorwomen:
TheIndianCooperativeNetworkforWomen(ICNW),whichstarted
with800women,encouragesthesocialandfinancialindependenceof

53

womenbyprovidingthemlowinterestloanstostartmicroenterprises.
RegisteredasanautonomousMicroFinanceInstitution,ICNWhas
reachedouttoover4,27,925poorentrepreneurs.TheNetworkwas
bornoutofthewomensneedforeasyaccesstocredit.Withformal
bankinginstitutionsunwillingtocomeforwardtogiveloansand
womenunabletopayhugecollaterals,womenofWWFcreatedanew
informalsystem.Around2,500leaderswithashareofRs.20eachand
seedcapitalofRs.50,000begantheirownWorkingWomens
CooperativeSocietyin1981,nowregisteredastheICNW.Womenin
ICNWareinvolvedin165differententerprisesbothintheurbanand
ruralareas.
TheNationalUnionofWorkingWomen,astheWWFstradewing,
fightsfortherightsofpoorwomen,includinglabour,landand
housingrightsandrepresentationinlocalgovernance.Womentakeit
uponthemselvestoorganiseandovercomecommonissuesof
oppressionsuchashumanrightsviolations,conditionsofworkand
femalefoeticide,tonameafew.Itreinforcesthebeliefthatthepoor
themselvesplayavitalroleintheirselfdevelopmentprocess,
motivatingthemtoconsciouslytakeonleadershiproleswithinthe
community.
WWFsreproductivehealthcareproject,thebrainchildofcommunityhealth
workersthemselves,echoestheconcernsofpoorwomeninissuessuchas
familyplanning,surgeryetc.TheReproductiveandChildHealthProgramme
drawsonpeoplesparticipationinhealthcaremeasurestoputintopractice
sensitivefamilyplanningmeasuresandenhancethewomanseconomic
contribution.Womeninthereproductiveandpostreproductiveagegroup
arecounselledonawidespectrumofissuessuchasnutritionalrequirements,
antenatalcare,postpartumcare,immunisation,contraceptivepracticesand
HIV/AIDS.WelltrainedCommunityHealthWorkers(CHW)carryonhealth
advocacyandensureaneffectivenetworkfordeliveryofhealthservices.The
healthcaresystemhasimpactedapopulationofabout1million,covering
16,00,000familiesin720slumsand340villages.
YetanotherofWWFspioneeringinitiativesismicroinsurance.Through
severalmicroinsuranceproducts,suchashealthcareschemes,socialsecurity
andmaternitybenefits,WWFhashelpedimprovethelivingandworking
conditionsofmarginalisedwomen.Socialsecuritycoverageformembersis
providedthroughtieupswiththeLifeInsuranceCorporationofIndia(LIC)
andRoyalSundaramAlliancePvt.Limited(RSA).Womenarecoveredunder
life,accident,disabilityandhealththoughtheICNW.
WWFconductsanimpactstudyeveryfiveyearstoevaluatereachofschemes
andprogressamongmembers.

54

ThecreationofWWFcameatatimewhenthewomensmovementinthe
countrywasslowlygainingmomentum.Butthemovementatpresentis
losingground,accordingtoDr.JayaArunachalam.Politicalinactionis
squarelytoblamefortheplightofwomen,accordingtoher.Politiciansare
deterioratingbytheday,thesystemiscollapsing.PeopleattheCentredont
knowhowtoreachpeopleinneed,shesays.
Funding:TheorganisationreceivesfundsfromtheLabourBankand
Citibank.
Networking:WWFisaffiliatedtotheInternationalRaiffiessanUnion(IRU),
Germany,andInternationalChemicalEnergyandMineWorkersUnion,
Brussels.ItisthefoundermemberofGrassrootsOrganisationsOperating
TogetherinSisterhood(GROOTS)andenjoysaconsultativestatuswiththe
UnitedNationsEconomicandSocialCouncil(ECOSOC).

55

YOUNGWOMENSCHRISTIANASSOCIATION(YWCA)
Howitbegan:Theapparentlossofvaluesandneglectofspirituallifeby
youngwomenduringthetimesoftheIndustrialRevolutionworriedMrs.
ArthurKinnairdandEmmaRoberts.Itwasatimewhennumerousyoung
womenwereleavinghomestoworkinfactoriesandindustries.Inanattempt
tohelpaddresstheirproblems,Mrs.KinnairdstartedagroupforinLondon
forwomenandMs.RobertsaprayerunionforwomenintheEnglishvillage
ofBarnet.Butitwasnotuntil1877whenthetwowomen,unawareofeach
otherswork,metoveracupoftea22yearsaftertheybegantheirworkthat
theinternationalmovementservingyoungwomenwasborn.
TheMadrasY.W.C.A,liketheY.W.C.AmovementfoundedinEngland,owed
itsorigintotwodifferentgroups.ThefirstgroupinMadraswassetupin
1884,eightyearsbeforeitcametobeknownbythepresentname.Knownas
theMadrasChristianWomensAssociation,thegroupwasorganisedshortly
afteramissionaryconferenceinKolkata.Itwasnoteworthythatdespitethe
AssociationbeingfoundedbyBritishwomen,itreachedouttowomenacross
colour,creedandlanguage.However,theY.W.C.AatMadrascameinto
beingafterthemovementwaswellestablishedinothercitiessuchasBombay
andPoona.
Whattheydo:Y.W.C.Aboastsofnumerousinitiativesbenefitingacross
sectionofpeople.Theyincludethefollowing:
a. Y.W.C.A.Sahodariproject:Distressedwomen,victimsofmaritalabuseand
harassmentandmentallyillwomenfindsuccourthroughcounsellingor
legalaidatthisY.W.C.Acentre.Thefirststepisintensivecounsellingover
severalsessionstoreconciletheestrangedparties,thewomenandher
family.Incasebothpartiesdonotreachcommonground,thewomanis
offeredshelteratthecentreoroutsideuntilshebecomesgainfully
employedandeconomicallyindependent.TheCentreisassociatedwith
theTamilNaduStateLegalServiceAuthoritytoofferwomenfreelegal
aidifattemptsatreconciliationfail.Awomanlawyerappointedbythe
CourtcounselswomenandassessesthestatusofcaseseveryThursday.
Onceacaseisregistered,theclientfilesanappealwiththeAuthority,who
thenappointsalawyer.
b. Navajeevan:Thisproject,startedin1975,isdedicatedtothecareof
mentallyillwomen,providingthemoccupationalrehabilitativetherapy.
Thewomenstayinshortstayhomesandaretaughtbasicvocationalskills,
suchaspicklemaking,typingandtailoring,duringthecourseoftheir
stay.Afterregularcounsellingsessionsandmedicaltreatment,thegoalis
tointegratethemwithmainstreamsocietythroughemployment.The
clients,registeredundertheInstituteofMedicalHealth,receive
continuouspsychiatricmonitoringandpsychotherapy.

56

c. Communitycollege:Schooldropoutsgetanotherchancetopursuetheir
dreamsatthecommunitycollege,affiliatedwiththeTamilNaduOpen
University.TheycanchoosefromcoursessuchasMSOffice,nursing
assistant,DeskTopPublishing,healthassistant,corporatesecretaryship,
allvaryingfromperiodsofthreemonthstoayear.Thestudentsalso
receiveplacements.
d. Oldagehome:TheMaryJ.CherianCottageprovidesfood,shelter,clothing
andmedicalaidforabandonedseniorcitizens.Adaycarecentreforpoor
seniorcitizensallowsthemtospendtheentiredayatthecentreandreturn
totheirfamiliesbyevening.
e. Nurseryandbalwadi:Y.W.C.Aalsorunsafreepreschoolforchildrenfrom
poorfamilies.
f. RuralDevelopmentproject:Afaminereliefprogrammeinitiatedherein1952
expandedintoamultifacetedprogrammeempoweringwomen.The
projectaimstodevelopandmaintainoutreachprogrammesinvillages,
expandruraldevelopmentactivitiesandformwomensgroups.The
activitiesatthevillageincludeanurseryschool,daycarehomeforelders,
tailoringprogrammesandSHGsforwomen,adultliteracyprogramme,
healthcareandvocationaltrainingforwomen.
Networking:Y.W.C.AcollaborateswithlocalNGOsandpolice,whobringin
distressedormentallyillwomentothecentreforrehabilitation.

57

CONTACTDETAILSOFPROFILEDORGANISATIONS

AllIndiaDemocraticWomensAssociation(AIDWA)
27(OldNo13),MasoodiStreet,Chepauk,Chennai600005.
Telephone

914428511231
Email

aidwa@vsnl.net

AndhraMahilaSabha
12,DurgabaiDeshmukhRoad,Chennai600028.
Contactperson
AdditionalSecretary,AndhraMahilaSabha,
Telephone
914424938311
Email

amstour2000@yahoo.com
Web

http://andhramahilasabha.org.in

ARUWE
No.11,SolaiammanKoilStreet,Aynavaram,Chennai600023
Contactpersons
AspyJohnson,Secretary,9841127680
SimonJohnes,ProgrammeCoordinator,9841233115
Telephone

914426454615
Email

aruwe@rediffmail.com
Web

www.aruwe.org

AssociationforNontraditionalEmploymentofWomen(ANEW)
AH16/107,4thStreet,ShantiColony,AnnaNagar,Chennai600040
Contactperson
SujithaRaveen,ProjectManager
9710304305orsujitharaveen@yahoo.com
Telephone
914426200697,26210492
Email

anew@vsnl.net
Web

www.anewindia.org

CentreforWomensDevelopmentandResearch(CWDR)
No.23,JeyaramStreet,VasanthApartmentsD,KuppamBeachRoad,
Thiruvanmiyur,Chennai600041
Contactperson
K.R.Renuka,ExecutiveDirector
Telephone
914424455868,9385248413
Web

www.cwdr.org.in
www.snehidhi.org
www.manushisangam.org
Email

cwdrindia@yahoo.com

FamilyPlanningAssociationofIndia(FPA)

58

AVMCharitiesHealthCentreBuilding,NewNo.54,ArcotRoad,Vadapalani,
Chennai600026
Contactperson
SujathaNatarajan,VicePresident,9840604599
Telephone

914423760463,23760439

FeministAssociationforSocialAction(FASA)
Newno.157,VergheseAvenue,AshokNagar,Chennai83.
Contactperson
SarahMatthew,secretary.
Telephone

914424729159

FICCILadiesOrganisation(FLO)
C/o.ShriramGroupCompanies,MookambikaComplex,IIFloor,No.4,Lady
DesikaRoad,Mylapore,Chennai600004
Telephone

914424990356,24993075
Email

flochennai@gmail.com

ForumforWomensRightsandDevelopment(FORWORD)
No117,SuddanandaBharathiStreet,EastTambaram,Chennai600059.
Contactperson
ShiamalaBaby,ExecutiveDirector,9840702226
914422396081,22790236
Telephone

Email

shiamalaforword@yahoo.com

InternationalFoundationforPreventionofCrimeandVictimCare(PCVC)
21/11,IFloor,BharatiyarStreet,MehtaNagar,Choolaimedu600094
Contactperson
Prasanna,9841061184

Telephone
9144252053280,25279805
ContactWECAN,P.O.BoxNo.5403,Chennai600029.
Telephone

914443111143

www.wecanendvaw.org,wecantn@gmail.com
Web

JointActionCouncilforWomen
12,RosaryChurchRoad,Mylapore,Chennai600004.
Call24643827orcontactDr.SanjidaKhwaja,Secretary,JACW

59

Kaingkarya
Regdoffice
Telephone

Projectaddress

32,11thavenue,AshokNagar,Chennai600083.
914424893829
KaingkaryaSocialWelfareCentre,2/459,KannabiranKoil
Street,Thirusoolam,Chennai600042.
914422641945
kaingkarya@rediffmail.com
www.kaingkarya.org

Telephone

Email

Web

MarketingOrganisationofWomenEntrepreneurs(MOOWES)
No.26&27,IFloor,CorporationShoppingComplex,3rdCrossRoad,Raja
Annamalaipuram,Chennai600028.
Contactpersons
SeethaRanganathan,9841791915
KasturiSanthanam,Treasurer,9840655246,9144
24488966

PennurimaiIyakkam
92/62,Dr.AlagappaSalai,Purasaiwakam,Chennai600084
Telephone
914426611905

PositiveWomensNetwork(PWN+)
ParsnParadiseApartments,109,G.N.ChettyRoad,4thfloor,CBlock,T.
Nagar,Chennai600017
Telephone
914428342804
Email

poswonet@pwnplus.org
Web

www.pwnplus.org

TamilNaduCorporationforDevelopmentofWomen
100,AnnaSalai,Guindy,Chennai600032
Telephone
91444208580406
Email

tncdw@tn.nic.in,tnwomen@eth.net
Web

www.tamilnaduwomen.org

TheBanyan
6thMainRoad,MugappairEriScheme,MugappairWest,Chennai600037
Telephone
914426530504,45548350/51/52
TheBanyanCentre,18/55,VinobajiStreet,Opp.Kamaraj4thStreet,Gandhi
Salai,Choolaimedu.
Telephone
914442233666
Web

www.thebanyan.org

WomensEntrepreneurshipPromotionalAssociation(WEPA)
2G,AbiramiCoralViewApartments,30,LinkRoad,Chennai600032

60

Contactperson
PremaDesikan,President,prema_desikan@yahoo.co.in
Telephone
914422440683,9444044068,

WorkingWomensForum(WWF)
#55,BhimasenaGardenRoad,Mylapore,Chennai600004
Contactperson
Dr.JayaArunachalam,president,WWF
Telephone
914424993937,24992853,52107486
Email

wwforum@eth.net
Web

www.workingwomensforum.org

YoungWomensChristianAssociation(YWCA)
107887/2,PoonamaleeHighRoad,Chennai600084
Telephone
914425324251,25324261
Email

ywcamadras@sancharnet.in

61

AboutthePrajnyaTrust
ThePrajnyaTrustwasestablishedin2006topromotethevaluesofpeace,
justiceandsecuritybyfacilitatingscholarship,advocacy,networkingand
educationaloutreachonrelatedissues;itwasregisteredundersection12AA
oftheIncomeTaxAct1961(695/0607).
Prajnyasworkisorganizedintothematicinitiativesthatprovidethebasisfor
allitsactivities.Eachinitiativeaddressesaclusterofissuesandisstructured
aroundacornerstoneoranchorprojectthatwillformitscoreagenda.
InSeptember2007,theTrustlaunchedPrajnyaInitiativesforPeace,Justice
andSecurity,apublicpolicyresearchcentre.
AboutthePrajnyaPolitics,SecurityandWomeninSouthAsia(PSW)Initiative
PrajnyasPSWInitiativewillsetupThePrajnyaWomeninPoliticsandPolicy
ResourceCentrewhichwillhousequantitative,qualitativeanprimary
recordsoftheirparticipationandcontribution.TheResourceCentreisalso
hometothisInitiativesresearchprojects,includingthispaper.

Abouttheauthor
SwetaNarayananispursuingaMastersinInternationalRelationsatthe
UniversityofSussex,U.K.SheholdsaPostgraduateDiplomainJournalism
fromtheAsianCollegeofJournalism,Chennai.Sheworkedasasubeditorat
TheHindu,anEnglishdaily,fromJune2006August2008.SwetaNarayanan
hasbeenavolunteerwithPrajnyasinceJanuary2008,undertakingresearch,
programmingandoutreachresponsibilities.

ThePrajnyaTrust
prajnyatrust@gmail.com
http://www.prajnya.in