| Women's Organizations | ||
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List Currently Registered Organizations … By Country
By Region |
Women's Organizations
Worldwide
Aaina
Bhubaneswar, India
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Aaina was founded in 1998 by a group of like minded women who wanted to focus on the development of women and childrens issues, especially as they relate to disability. Their mission is to see a world of identity, dignity and rightful provisioning for the underprivileged people, especially women, children and persons with disability. Targeting women and children who are distressed, disabled, or trafficked, Aaina has instituted several programs to offer relief. Some of these include counseling for distressed women through Art therapy, responding to natural disasters in terms of relief and rehabilitation, Community Based Rehabilitation for children and adults with disability, and special schools for children with disability that include the participation of the mothers through income generating projects. Contact Details: Aaina 765, Sahid Nagar Bhubaneswar India 751007 E-mail: aaina50@hotmail.com |
AANCHAL
Mumbai, India
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Aanchal is a help line and support group that reaches out to lesbian and bisexual women in Mumbai, India. This population was chosen because sexual minorities, especially lesbians are seen as invisible in India. Lesbians, in particular, are often viewed as sick or suffering a mental illness that needs to be cured. One of the main issues facing lesbian and bisexual women in India is the discrimination, resulting from the lack of awareness about homosexuality in a traditional heterosexual society. Aanchal is committed to creating a safe and confidential place for women, regardless of their age, class, caste, religion and race, who are dealing with issues that related to their sexual orientation. Aanchal has created many support groups for women which meet on a regular basis to discuss issues related to sexuality. In addition, the organization has joined with other LGBT groups, supportive women's groups and HIV /AIDS groups to fight discrimination by challenging current legal statutes.
Contact Details: AANCHAL India Centre for Human Rights and Law, 4th Flr, CVOD Jain High School, 84 Samuel Street, Dongri Mumbai India 400009 E-mail: aanchal69@hotmail.com |
ABC/Nepal: Anti Trafficking, Basic Human Rights and Cooperatives
Kathmandu, Nepal
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ABC/Nepal was founded in 1987 by Ms. Durga Ghimire and Ms. Meera Arjyal. The mission of this organization is to create awareness regarding issues surrounding the trafficking of women and young girls in Nepal. Of particular importance is the increase of HIV/AIDS among such women and young girls. ABC/Nepal hopes to create a strong network against the trafficking of women and young girls by promoting self-reliance and self-confidence among women through self-development training and economic empowerment. The ABC/Nepal team includes a seven member executive committee, over 5,000 women volunteers and 2,000 community workers. They have a central staff of 25, a field staff of 50 and an art staff of 10. They work with other local Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) to facilitate programs such as women's leadership training, non-formal education, and girls' trafficking awareness. Contact Details: ABC/Nepal: Anti Trafficking, Basic Human Rights and Cooperatives P.O. Box 5135 Narephat, Koteshwor Kathmandu Nepal E-mail: abc@transit.wlink.com.np |
Afghan Women Social and Cultural Organization (AWSCO)
Kabul, Afghanistan
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Afghan Women Social and Cultural Organization (AWSCO) was established in 1994 by Ms. Qazi Marzia Babakarkhail. Over the past two decades Afghanistan has suffered from numerous wars, resulting in a significant decline in the standard of living. Women, in particular, were deprived of their civil rights, especially the right to work and be educated. AWSCO's mission is to "contribute to the rehabilitation and development of Afghanistan through the planning, designing and undertaking of economic and humanitarian assistance programs, as well as by developing the skills and capacity of Afghan women." AWSCO has created numerous projects throughout central and northern Afghanistan as well as in Peshawar, Pakistan. The projects include handicraft/vocational training, education in computers and English, health awareness, emergency relief, human rights education, women development programs, housing construction, water supply, as well as women and social affairs projects. Currently, AWSCO is working with UNICEF on a water and sanitation project in Kabul, Afghanistan. Contact Details: Afghan Women Social and Cultural Organization (AWSCO) House #1, St. #3, right side Qalai Fatullah Shar-e-naw Kabul Afghanistan 091 E-mail: awsco_afghanistan@yahoo.com |
Afghan Women Welfare Department (AWWD)
Kabul, Afghanistan
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The Afghan Women Welfare Department (AWWD), a non-affiliated and non-profit Afghan woman NGO, was established in July 1989. The purpose was to deal with the great women-related emergency needs and to provide services to the Afghan refugee women in the North Western Frontier Province of Pakistan (the NWFP). AWWD, as a woman's organization strives and was established for the mere purpose of bettering Afghan women's welfare in refugee situations by elevating the educational and social status of Afghan women within the family, Afghan community and the world at large. AWWD achieves its objectives by providing community based programs, especially in refugee camps. These programs included English Language Programs, Typing and Computer training programs, Literacy, Health Education programs, Islamiat, Tailoring Training Programs, Carpet Weaving Training Programs, Vulnerable Female Refugee Assistance Programs, Poultry, Soap and Candle making Training programs, Credit System assistance(providing loans), Gender awareness, Embroidery training programs, etc. In the past twelve years, AWWD has trained approximately 6000 Afghan refugee women in the fields of Education, Vocational Training, Health and Income-Generation in Peshawar. Contact Details: Afghan Women Welfare Department (AWWD) Madeena Bazar, Share Now Kabul City Street H1, House #25 Kabul Afghanistan E-mail: awwd@brain.net.pk |
Afghan Women's Educational Center (AWEC)
Kabul, Afghanistan
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AWEC was established in 1991 by a group of educated Afghan women in Islamabad who were concerned about the lack of facilities for Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The mission of AWEC is "to improve the status of women as leaders and as agents of positive change in an Islamic and traditional Afghan society." The primary goal of this organization is to improve the living conditions of marginalized groups of women and children. AWEC provides numerous opportunities to disadvantaged refugees, including two centers for women and street children, in Peshawar and Kabul which integrate skills development, literacy, health education, drug awareness, counseling on issues such as domestic violence and sexual abuse. For street children AWEC provides informal education to reintegrate them into schools, reproductive and maternal health services, as well as vocational training. Currently, AWEC is running one high school in Islamabad, in addition to constructing a widows support program and an emergency relief and water supply project in Kabul.
Contact Details: Afghan Women's Educational Center (AWEC) H # 115 , First bus stop Kololapusta Kabul Afghanistan E-mail: irfan@pes.comsats.net.pk |
Afghan Women's Network (AWN)
Kabul, Afghanistan
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Inspired by a UN Conference on Women in 1995, seven female
Afghan participants founded the Afghan Women's Network with the idea of establishing an environment to promote unity and cooperation among Afghan women. Their mission is to promote the rights of women and children on a national and international level by providing them with a strong voice. This voice is acheived through the formation of committees where educated females learn how to train and hold workshops for less educated women. Human and child rights, issues of gender, and problem solving are all issues that the committees discuss and explore. Their past and present activities include conducting capacity building workshops and skill development training of the English language. They are beginning gender training in six provinces in Afghanistan through a developing training team. They currently have an office in Afghanistan as well as one in Pakistan, where over twenty four NGO members work for women's empowerment. In the future Afghan Women's Network will hold a Child Rights Convention and wishes to establish a child rights committee in schools throughout Afghanistan and Pakistan. Contact Details: Afghan Women's Network (AWN) H# 193, St #3 Qalah Fatihullah Kabul Afghanistan 25000 E-mail: awn@brain.net.pk |
African Community Intiative Services (ACIS)
Nairobi, Kenya
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African Community Initiative Services (ACIS) was founded in 2002 to develop the capacity for sustainable management of community-based organizations. Their mission is to promote entrepreneurship and sustainable projects “to lift the socio-economic well-being amongst local communities” and to create “employment through community-based local organizations” within African countries. The organization also aims to initiate awareness programs to advocate for the change of gender-biased policies. The organization is run by a board of six trustees. Activities include the creation of a credit scheme for out-of-school youth and women to enable their engagement in micro-enterprise and income generation. In addition, ACIS supports community initiatives in education, health, training, and poverty reduction. The organization is currently working on the creation and provision of culturally appropriate HIV/AIDS care and support services within the community, as well as organizing seed bulking activities for farmers to increase food production. Contact Details: African Community Intiative Services (ACIS) PO Box 8096 Nairobi Kenya E-mail: muindi2003@hotmail.com |
AID INDIA
SATANKULAM, India
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Aid India was originally founded in 1992 by a group of men and women with the goal of helping disabled people. Since 1992, Aid India has expanded to include focus on the welfare of dalit women and widows. Its board has also expanded to include five women, and only two men. As stated by the organization, Aid India stands for "Empowering the women and disabled people in rural areas where they have no access to economy and education." In the past, Aid India has worked toward this goal by implementing programs for awareness raising, free medical camps, adult literacy for the rural illiterate women, and educational assistance for the poor. Aid India now also runs a micro-credit program namely Grama Vasantham for disadvantaged women and disabled of all categories, a vocational training program for young dhalit girls, and a computer center for them as well. Contact Details: AID INDIA 9, RICE SHOP STREET SATANKULAM THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT, TAMILNADU SATANKULAM India 828 704 E-mail: ttn_aidindia@sancharnet.in |
Akshara - A Women's Resource Center
Mumbai, India
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Akshara was established in 1995 by two activists of the Indian Women's Movement. In the beginning it was primarily a resource center that sought to reach women in poor or marginalized areas with the necessary information to allow them to assert their rights and realize their full potential. Their mission is to enable women to continue with education, to develop critical thinking skills in regards to gender and development, and to promote self-awareness. Akshara presently works with young women in schools, slums, and institutions through training groups, discussions, and workshops, as well as by issuing scholarships for education. The organization continues to have a women's resource center, and is in the process of putting together a detailed reference of women's studies. Contact Details: Akshara - A Women's Resource Center 501 Neelambari Road #86 Opp. Portuguese Church Dadar West Mumbai India 400 028 E-mail: aksharacentre@vsnl.com |
Anubhooti
Patna, India
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Founded in 1994, Anubhooti works in underprivileged areas of Bihar State to improve the lives of women. The organization focuses on the limited awareness of women's legal and human rights. It is also working to stop violence and crime against women in India. Anubhooti offers training and support to the creation and maintenance of women's savings and investment groups. They have constructed and maintain a sanitation center and hope to replicate these centers in other districts throughout Bihar. Anubhooti is also training their members to be active players in local governing bodies. Contact Details: Anubhooti A/25 Magistrate Colony Ashiana Patna India 800 001 E-mail: sbhartiraj@indiatimes.com |
Anveshi Dalit Women's Trust
Tiruvalla, India
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Anveshi Dalit Women's Trust is an organization that was founded in 1993 by a group of Dalit women. Anveshi's main goal is to empower Dalit women and the Dalit community, as a whole for social change. Sadly, today Dalit women are still not able to participate in religious activities, mainstream political parties or societies. Anveshi wants women to recognize the daily exploitations that they face in order to challenge the existing social structure. The organization therefore encourages women to develop and demonstrate those capabilities which are often suppressed due to their marginalized status in society. This is accomplished by promoting women to use their culture and folklore as a form of resistance. Anveshi provides centers where women are able to research their culture and discuss issues of oppression. Contact Details: Anveshi Dalit Women's Trust Madukkolil, Kuttoor P.O. Tiruvalla India 689106 E-mail: |
ARPAN
Himatnagar, India
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Advancement of Rural People And Nature (ARPAN) was established in 1992. The group was founded to help women of North Gujarat India who suffer due to the prevailing social values. ARPAN works in more than 120 villages offering programs to raise awareness about women's conditions. These programs primarily focus on rural tribal women in North India who are deprived of their right to common property resources such as land, forest and water. Thus they loose access to fodder, fuel and water. In addition, ARPAN has established 150 self-help groups for these tribal women to help them overcome poverty and to create a sense of empowerment. ARPAN's programs and self-help groups focus on pressing matters such as economic dependence, participation in decision making, age of marriage, unwanted pregnancy, discrimination of female children, illiteracy, atrocities against women and economical issues. Furthermore, they work with tribal sex workers on HIV/AIDS issues. Contact Details: ARPAN 77,Laxminarayan society, Gaytrimandir road, Societynagar area, Himatnagar India 383001 E-mail: arpan1_in@yahoo.com |
Asociación de Mujeres para la Integración de la Familia en Nicaragua
CIUDAD SANDINO , Nicaragua
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Asociación de Mujeres para la Integración de la Familia en Nicaragua (AMIFANIC) was founded in 1997 with the objective of defending women’s human rights. Their goal is to promote women’s self-esteem and aid women who have been victims of sexual violence. The organization supports political action at the local level and has created work training programs for women, a self-help group for victims of family violence, and a training program on women’s human rights that has reached hundreds of women in Ciudad Sandino. AMIFANIC is composed of a general assembly of 53 women and run by an executive director, sub-director, and three program coordinators. In the future, the group plans to strengthen their awareness program and begin a political campaign against family and sexual violence. Contact Details: Asociación de Mujeres para la Integración de la Familia en Nicaragua De la Plaza Padre Miguel 4c al sur, 25 vrs abajo CIUDAD SANDINO Nicaragua E-mail: amifanic@ibw.com.ni |
Asociacion Mujeres Unidas
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
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The Associacion Mujeres Unidas was formed in 2004 by a group of women interested in uniting their efforts and experience toward the defense of women's rights, the development of women's productive capacities, and the betterment of life for women. Their goals include combating poverty and ignorance, promoting the maintenance of peace and social democracy, and forming models of development to transform the reality for Honduran women. Run by a general assembly, a board of directors, and various special committees, the organization has aided a project to construct furniture for schools. They plan to continue to expand their activities in education, health, community strengthening, and natural resource management.
La Asociacion Mujeres Unidas fue formada en 2004 por un grupo de mujeres interesadas en unir esfuerzos y experiencia en la defensa de los derechos de las mujeres, asi como en el desarrollo de las habilidades y capacidades que permitan a la mujer incluirse en la vida productiva del pais y en el mejoramiento de sus condiciones de vida. Sus objetivos incluyen contribuir al combate de la pobreza e ignorancia, promover el mantenimiento de la paz social mediante la promocion de la democracia participativa, y realizar programas y proyectos que ayuden a formar modelos de desarrollo que transformen favorablemente la realidad de las mujeres. Dirigida por una asamblea general, una junta directiva, y varios comites especiales, la asociacion ha proporcionado apoyo en la construccion de mobiliario escolar. Va a desarollar mas programas en Educacion y Desarrollo Organizativo, Salud, Fortalecimiento Comunitario, Agricultura y Manejo de Recursos Naturales.
Contact Details: Asociacion Mujeres Unidas Barrio Buenos Aires; colonia Linton; Sendero Valverde; calle Villafranca; apartamentos 287-288 Tegucigalpa Honduras E-mail: asociacionmujeresunidas@yahoo.com |
Association de Lutte Contre la Pauvreté et le Sida
YAOUNDE , Cameroon
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The Association de Lutte Contre la Pauvreté et le Sida (The Association to Fight Against Poverty and AIDS) was founded in April of 1999 to improve the lives of women in Cameroon through special areas of focus such as education, health, farming, economic development and women's rights . The organization serves primarily rural women who are the most oppressed due to poverty and lack of education. Viewed by many as "objects" these women often face homelessness, prostitution, and abuse. The organization is currently fundraising to open a multi-service center for women. This center is crucial because it will serve as an office and a safe meeting place for women to learn and gain support.
Contact Details: Association de Lutte Contre la Pauvreté et le Sida s/c leonie blandine nguimbous bp: 12768 yaoundé .CAMEROUN YAOUNDE Cameroon BP 12768 E-mail: leo_bous@yahoo.fr |
Association for Bottom Strata (ABS)
Pudukkottai, India
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ABS is an organization that aims to uplift the Narikkuravar Gypsys, Kuravan community, dalit women and children through exclusive programs constructed for the development of the poor people living in rural areas of Pudukkottai District of Tamilnadu, India. The organization's goal is to uplift these communities by providing training, skill development, awareness and healthcare programs, schools for children, research projects, and HIV/AIDS prevention programs. ABS has been active in a variety of programs including environmental awareness, welfare associations, child labor elimination, and women awareness. Presently ABS is working on forming self-help groups, providing income generating programs, health programs, counseling, and vocational training.
Contact Details: Association for Bottom Strata (ABS) 21, Mamundimadam Street, Thirukkokarnam post Pudukkottai India 622002 E-mail: abs_organisation@yahoo.co.in |
Bhutanese Women and Youth Empowerment Program (BWYEP)
Thapa, Nepal
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Founded by a group of Bhutanese refugee women in 2001, BWYEP addresses problems faced by Bhutanese women, particularly girl trafficking, domestic violence and male domination. The organization strives to empower women and help them be educated about issues affecting their day-to-day life. BWYEP focuses on women ages 17 to 25 who are considered to be most vulnerable to trafficking and the sex trade. BWYEP is currently providing computer education and organizing HIV/AIDS awareness programs in Bhutanese refugee camps in Thapa, Nepal. Contact Details: Bhutanese Women and Youth Empowerment Program (BWYEP) P.O. Box 9 Anarmani-4 Thapa Nepal 9772341538 E-mail: bwyep@ntc.net.np |
BLOSSOM
Virudhunagar, India
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BLOSSOM was founded June 7, 1993 in order to assist in the "blossoming of power in every individual, particularly women and children." BLOSSOM's mission is to "facilitate a process where marginalized groups, particularly women and children, have an improved quality of life, by working in partnership with other development actors." The organization's current goals are to give a voice to women infected with HIV/AIDS and to build the capacity of their women members, while focusing on women laborers and those affected by violence. BLOSSOM has 25 staff members, 10 volunteers, and 8500 female members. The organization's activities include self-help groups, support for women and orphans affected by HIV/AIDS, family counseling, vocational training, a music and dance school, and an entrepreneurship development program.
Contact Details: BLOSSOM 77, Sekkilar Street Virudhunagar India 626 001 E-mail: blossomtrust@eth.net |
Blue Veins ( Women Welfare & relief Services) Breast Cancer Awareness Crusade
Peshawar, Pakistan
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Blue Veins was founded in 1999 by a group of women concerned about the lack of health information and resources available to women. Blue Veins has dedicated their efforts to breast cancer victims, who often face severe taboos and oppression due to misunderstandings about the illness in Pakistan society. Today Blue Veins is a growing national group of volunteers who embrace the motto, "Awareness, Action, and Advocacy." Their goal is to "increase public awareness about breast cancer and ensure that individuals from all socioeconomic backgrounds have rapid access to current relevant education, support and information about this disease." Blue Veins has recently launched numerous information campaigns within Pakistan, including conferences, presentations at universities, colleges, schools and health fairs, and lobbying federal and provincial departments. They also provide psychological and social services to breast cancer patients and their families.
Contact Details: Blue Veins ( Women Welfare & relief Services) Breast Cancer Awareness Crusade 21, second floor islamia club building khyber bazzar peshawar (NWFP) pakistan Peshawar Pakistan 25000 E-mail: bveins@hotmail.com |
Center for Women and Childrens Rights (HISANI)
Mwanza, Tanzania, United Republic of
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HISANI was founded in 1998 by three women and two men, and currently has seven staff members and ten organizational members. HISANI works to provide and support women and children who are disadvantaged and neglected by the state. HISANI's mission is to "build the capacity of the local community to contribute to the advocacy of human rights for women and children in Tanzania." HISANI serves disabled women, women who are victims to HIV/AIDS, women prisoners, and poor women, by providing awareness of their basic rights, food, shelter, clothing, as well as equipment for locomotion to the disabled. HISANI currently provides educational programs for children, such as training in specialized skills. Contact Details: Center for Women and Childrens Rights (HISANI) P. O. Box 1817 Mwanza Tanzania Mwanza Tanzania, United Republic of 25502 E-mail: brighttz@yahoo.co.uk |
Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA)
Washington, District of Columbia, United States
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The Center for Development and Population Activities was founded in 1975, and today focuses on women's rights, gender awareness, reproductive health and HIV/AIDS education. CEDPA believes that each woman is a resource for smaller change, and thus works with individuals on a local level. They believe in helping the individual first, and that "only when a woman is beyond fulfilling her basic needs can she move on to those of the community. CEDPA has made its presence known globally, and has been able to provide an "opportunity to bring women's experiences and concerns to the attention of decision makers." Today, CEDPA has a network of over 5,000 women leaders: "trained advocates and represent the millions of women with whom they are in daily contact," and is also in partnership with 138 different organizations in 40 countries. (Hosted 2003 Bridging World Emerging Leader Pushpa Prakash of Guild of Women Achievers, Bangalore, India) Contact Details: Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) 1400 16th St. NW, Suite 100 Washington District of Columbia United States 20036 E-mail: cmail@cedpa.org |
Centre for Women's Development and Research
Chennai, India
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The Centre for Women's Development and Research (CWDR) is an organization that was founded in 1993 by a group of female activists who wanted to address problems faced by women in the southeast end of Chennai, India in a region called Thiruvanmiyur. CWDR's mission includes creating awareness about gender issues, increasing the income of women, and eliminating violence against women. CWDR primarily works with slum women and female children who are employed as domestic workers. They have initiated local women's organizations with more than 3,000 women in 75 slums.
In the area there are over 5,000 women engaged in all household activities from kitchen duties to childcare. The wages they receive are insufficient to cover the basic amenities needed for survival, and usually these women are the primary breadwinners for their families. Sadly in this type of work the women are not able to learn any new skills that may eventually help them to succeed in other fields. Furthermore, their work is seen as non–productive, non-economic, not real work, but rather more as charity cases. CWDR is trying to focus on giving the women vocational training and providing them with loans to possibly start their own small businesses.
Contact Details: Centre for Women's Development and Research 5/359 Annai Indira Nagar Okkiyampet, Thuraipakkam Chennai India 600 096 E-mail: |
Centro de Apoyo para el Movimiento Popular de Occidente A.C.(CAMPO)
Guadalajara , Jalisco, Mexico
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The Center of Support for the Popular Movement of West (CAMPO) was founded in 1989 by a team of professional men and women dedicated to helping inhabitants of rural regions in areas of health, productive projects, and land management. The organization aims to empower and serve poor rural women in marginalized municipalities of Jalisco. Their goals include: increasing women's access to technological resources and credit; financing development; sustainable projects; protection of human rights; and the prevention of disease and sexually transmitted infections. The organization is governed by a counsel of directors who unite for an annual meeting of female associates, eight of whom meet on a monthly basis. Recently, the organization is involved in two programs, including: Gender in Relation to the Economy, and Leadership within the Female Population.
El Centro de apoyo para el Movimiento Popular de Occidente (CAMPO) fue fundado en el año 1989 por un grupo de hombres y mujeres profesionales dedicados para ayudar los habitantes de regiones rurales en las áreas de salud comunitaria, proyectos productivos y tenencia de la tierra. La organización se concentra en autorizar los derechos de la mujer y en los servicios a las mujeres pobres y rurales marginalizadas de las municipalidades de Jalisco. Sus metas incluyen: la aumentación de acceso a los recursos tecnológicos y a los créditos; desarrollo financiero; proyectos sostenibles; protección de los derechos humanos; y la prevención de enfermedades y infecciones sexualmente transmitidas. La organización es gobernada por un consejo directivo que se une anualmente para una reunión de mujeres asociadas, ocho de las quienes reúnen mensualmente. Recientemente, la organización está trabajando en dos programas, incluyendo: Género y Economía; y Liderazgo y Ciudadanía de las Mujeres.
Contact Details: Centro de Apoyo para el Movimiento Popular de Occidente A.C.(CAMPO) Lorena 840 Guadalajara , Jalisco Mexico 44190 E-mail: |
Centro de Asesoría y Desarrollo entre Mujeres (CADEM) A.C.
Puebla, Mexico
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In 1996 the Center of Assessment and Advising in Development amongst Women (CADEM), was founded by a group of professionals with ten years experience working in poor communities of Sierra Norte de Puebla. The organization collaborates with various social sectors, including municipal governments to improve the status of women within the context of both the family and community. Through working for racially mixed and native women, men, young, girls and children, the organization seeks to alleviate poverty. In addition, they promote rural actions of development that permit improved living conditions of the population and the social position of the women. Structurally, the organization has a general assembly meets annually. Recently, CADEM's programs include: CAMI (Central Support to the Native Women), action and defense of environmental networks involving the development of native eco-tourism, and finally support for native eco-guides to educate others about environmental protection.
En el año de 1996 el Centro de Asesoría y Desarrollo entre Mujeres (CADEM) fue fundido por un grupo de profesionales con diez años de experiencia trabajando en las comunidades pobres de Sierra Norte de Puebla. La organización se junta con varios sectores sociales, incluyendo gobiernos municipales para mejorar el estatus de la mujer dentro del contexto de la familia y la comunidad. Mediante el trabajo que hacen para las mujeres indígenas y mestizas, hombres, jóvenes, niñas y niños en situación de pobreza, la organización buscar lograr alivio de la pobreza. Además, ellas promuevan acción rural de desarrollo que permite la mejoraza de las condiciones de la vida dentro de la población y la posición social de la mujer. Estructuralmente, la organización tiene una asamblea general que se reúne anualmente. Recientemente, los programas de CADEM incluyen: CAMI (Centro de Apoyo a la Mujer Indígena), la impulsión y defensa de la red ambiental y el desarrollo ecoturístico y finalmente la impulsión y fortificación de las ecoguías para que puedan educar otros sobre la protección ambiental.
Contact Details: Centro de Asesoría y Desarrollo entre Mujeres (CADEM) A.C. Guadalupe Victoria #9, Centro Puebla, Cuetzalan Puebla Mexico 73560 E-mail: medaca@prodigy.net.mx |
Centro Mujeres AC
La Paz, Mexico
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Centro Mujeres was established in 1991 by three health professionals in response to the unmet community health needs of women and adolescents. A survey of community health showed that cesareans, tubal ligation rates, and teenage pregnancies were reaching epidemic proportions. Incest, rape and domestic violence were a silent reality and the gender dimensions of health and rights concerns were completely ignored. Apart from a drug prevention center, no preventive health services, health education, psychological, or legal services existed for women and youth in the state at the time. In 1994, they established a center that provides community services, training in health and leadership using a participatory approach, and advocates for changes in policy and programs in Mexico to advance respect for reproductive and sexual rights. Today, Centro Mujeres is a community health organization dedicated to fostering the empowerment and well-being of women and adolescents. They also work to influence public policy and promote social change that will positively impact women as individuals and society as a whole in the interest of promoting social justice for all people. Contact Details: Centro Mujeres AC Marquez de Leon # 480-B E/ Revolucion y Serdan, Colonia Centro La Paz Mexico 23000 E-mail: cmujeres@balandra.uabcs.mx |
Confederation of Christian Women in Business
Nairobi, Kenya
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The Confederation of Christian Women in Business was formed in 2000 to help women initiate income-generating projects and to create social awareness among women.
Although founded by women gathering for a Christian crusade, membership is open to all women without religious discrimination. The mission is to “assist women, empower them economically to achieve sustainable development, which can put them in a good position in the society.” Focusing on rural communities and urban slums, the organization provides grants to women to run small-scale projects in the micro-enterprise and agricultural sector. The organization consists of a National Governing Council made up of 123 women, a 13-member Board of Governors and a staff of 25 volunteers. The main activities include: providing resources for income generation projects; training, funding and advising farmers and entrepreneurs on business management; and offering educational programs to empower and educate women and children regarding domestic violence, women’s rights, HIV/AIDS awareness, and health issues.
Contact Details: Confederation of Christian Women in Business P.O.Box 6300-00100 Nairobi Kenya 254-20 E-mail: ccwb2000ke@yahoo.com |
Council for Tribal and Rural Development (CTRD)
Bhubaneswar, India
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Council for Tribal and Rural Development (CTRD) was founded to promote the leadership of rural women, to address their health issues, and to strengthen women's self-help groups through capacity-building and linkage with international donors. They aim to alleviate rural poverty by promoting self-employment among women and involving women in micro-enterprise activities and community-level food security initiatives. In addition, CTRD supports community-based environment management programs initiated by local women groups. The organization has 15 elected members, 22 staff, and 20 volunteers. They have mobilized a savings program investing in a handicrafts center for income generation through as many as 100 women's self-help groups. They have also provided wells and livestock to a number of these groups. Among other micro-enterprise initiatives, they are at present working with 50 groups in 7 coastal villages to develop a community plant nursery and a riverbank plantation. Contact Details: Council for Tribal and Rural Development (CTRD) Plot No. 420, Sahid Nagar Bhubaneswar India 751 007 E-mail: ikfoundationofindia@hotmail.com |
Dalit Women Forum
Secunderabad, India
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Dalit Women Forum (DWF) was formed in India in 1993 by a group of women development workers to empower vulnerable groups such as women, pavement dwellers and street children facing problems including violence, discrimination, unequal wages and the institutions of dowry and bigamy. DWF does not solely target Dalit women but includes all poor and oppressed women irrespective of their caste or religious background. The mission of Dalit Women Forum is "to enhance their bargaining skills in order to increase their living levels in the fields of economic, social, political, cultural". DWF’s three-person staff aims to empower women by raising awareness on various issues, fighting for the rights of the oppressed and organizing women’s and self-help groups. Contact Details: Dalit Women Forum 10-5-751, Sai Nagar, Thukaram Gate, North Lalaguda. Secunderabad India 500017 E-mail: dalitwomen_forum2000@yahoo.co.in |
Deepak Charitable Trust
Vadodara, India
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Deepak Charitable Trust was founded in 1982 to improve the health, education and socio-economic status of the entire Nandesari community in Western India, with a particular emphasis on providing women with a better quality of life. Some of the issues that the women face are lack of education, early marriage, diseases, and unemployment. The area of Nandesari where Deepak works is primarily a Hindu Rajput community. These kinds of communities are often very conventional resulting in many restrictions on women. These include limitations on their freedom to interact with the outside world, limited development of women's self esteem and limited expression of their sexuality. Deepak's vision is for women to have expanded horizons of autonomous decision making, as well as control over their own bodies and resources. Most importantly, Deepak wants women to have equal rights to men. In able to reach their goal, they provide reproductive health care for women and mental and physical health care for children. In addition, the organization provides facilities to make basic needs such as making drinking water, fuel and fodder more accessible to the community. Contact Details: Deepak Charitable Trust 9/10, Kunj Society, Alkapuri Vadodara India 390007 E-mail: deepakfoundation@yahoo.com |
Educational Training Center for Poor Women and Girls of Afghanistan (E.C.W.)
Kabul, Afghanistan
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The Educational Training Center for Poor Women and Girl's of Afghanistan (ECW) was founded in 1997 by Maleka Qanih and Rozan Seran. ECW provides support, education and training to poor and widowed Afghan women who do not have access to jobs or schooling outside of the home. ECW is composed of fifteen volunteer members who coordinate and carry out the decisions of the organization. The staff, many former students of the program, volunteer their time and skills. More than 500 women have completed ECW's training and are able to generate an income from the goods they produce. ECW currently offers classes to more than 300 women in a variety of subjects, including literacy, English classes, embroidery, tailoring, and handicraft. To date (11/2002), this organization, which operated clandestinely throughout the Taliban era, has been financially supported by volunteer members of the community and from the sale of products (embroidered and tailored items) produced by the center.
Contact Details: Educational Training Center for Poor Women and Girls of Afghanistan (E.C.W.) Airport Street near Aziz-i-Afghan Secondary School 1107 Post box Kabul Afghanistan E-mail: arezo_qanih@yahoo.com |
Empowering the Women of Nepal (EWN)
Pokhara-6, Nepal
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Empowering the Women of Nepal (EWN) was founded by three sisters with the goal of improving the lives of disadvantaged women in Nepal. Their mission is "to help foster the growth of independent, self-sufficient, decision-making women, by encouraging self-empowerment." EWN provides skill training and income-generation opportunities to Nepali women through Adventure Tourism. The organization consists of a board of twelve women and three staff members who work in conjunction with various advisors and volunteers. EWN runs a training program that teaches essential skills and knowledge to women to work as trekking guides and provides a trekking guide apprenticeship program. These programs are aimed at giving women the opportunity for education, leadership and technical training, and employment. Contact Details: Empowering the Women of Nepal (EWN) P.O. Box 284, Lakeside, Kahare Pokhara-6 Nepal E-mail: ewn@3sistersadventure.com |
Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO)
Lalitpur, Nepal
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The Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO), founded in 1994, is a non-political, non-religious, non-profit making and non-governmental national level organization. It is the first and only organization of its type in Nepal to represent the Dalit Women, voice their concerns and address their needs. FEDO's mission is to uplift and empower the downtrodden Dalit Women educationally, socially, economically and to advocate against caste and gender discrimination. The organization focuses on these issues by working to
increase literacy rates and the education status of the Dalit Women, to empower them economically and to improve health conditions in the Dalit community.
Contact Details: Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO) Kupondole Lalitpur Nepal 4366 E-mail: dms@fedo.wlink.com.np |
Fortaleza de la Mujer Maya A.C.
Chiapas, Mexico
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Fortaleza de la Mujer Maya, A.C. provides services and support to indigenous women and children in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. These indigenous women and children have moved to the city as a result of the 1994 military events in Chiapas, or for religious reasons. The majority are unfamiliar with city lifestyle and often do not speak or write Spanish. For these reasons Fortaleza de la Mujer Maya A.C. provides programs that educate women and children in Tzeltal, Tzotzil, and Spanish as well as offering an extensive array of vocational skills such as tailoring, bakery, manual crafts, cultural and computer programs. In addition, Fortaleza de la Mujer Maya A.C. provides services such as childcare, women's rights education, and healthcare.
Fortaleza de la Mujer Maya A.C. provee servicios y apoyo a mujeres y niños indígenas en el estado de Chiapas, México. Estas mujeres y niños indígenas se han movido a la cuidad a causa de los eventos militares de 1994 o por razones de religión. La mayoría no conocen el estilo de vida de la cuidad y muchas veces no hablan o escriben el español. Por estas razones Fortaleza de la Mujer Maya A.C. provee programas que enseñan a mujeres y niños Tzeltal, Tzotzil, y Español y también un numero de oficios vocacionales como sastrería, panadería, artes manuales, y programas culturales y de computadora. También, Fortaleza de la Mujer Maya A.C. provee servicios de guardería, educación de los derechos de la mujer y salud. Contact Details: Fortaleza de la Mujer Maya A.C. Av. Argentina #14 Barrio de Mexicanos San Cristobal de la Casas Chiapas Mexico 29240 E-mail: fomma@prodigy.net.mx |
Foundation for Low Income Group & Social Health (FLASH)
Pondicherry, India
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The Foundation for Low Income Group and Social Health (FLASH) was formed in India in 1996 to help very poor rural Dalit women and downtrodden people suffering from social exploitation, denial of basic human rights, and fear of sexual exploitation. With an overall mission of "women's holistic development", FLASH's current goals are women's education, awareness building, and skill training for income generation. FLASH currently provides formal and informal education and skill training to Dalit girls. Six of the seven members of FLASH's governing board are women. Contact Details: Foundation for Low Income Group & Social Health (FLASH) 166, Subbiah Nagar, Thattanchavady Pondicherry India 605009 E-mail: |
Girls Inc, Carpinteria
Carpinteria, California, United States
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Girls Inc. of Carpinteria began in 1971, and by 1975 expanded to a year-round program. In 1991, they launched a highly successful capital campaign that funded various facilities, which feature a full-court gym, gymnastics room, play yard, teen center, classrooms, computer silo and planetarium, well-equipped kitchen, meeting rooms and staff offices. The mission of Girls Incorporated of Carpinteria "is to empower girls and young women to overcome the social, economic and political barriers to their success and to be an advocate for their special needs." Girls Inc. of Carpinteria offers programs centered in six major areas, including Careers and Life Planning, Leadership and Community Action, Sports and Adventure, Self-Reliance and Life Skills, Health and Sexuality, and Culture and Heritage. Recently, Girls Inc. of Carpinteria has launched a computer literacy initiative to serve girls and their families. (Hosted 2003 Bridging Worlds Emerging Leader Maryma Scotlin of the Centre for Women's Development and Research, Chenai, India) Contact Details: Girls Inc, Carpinteria 5315 Foothill Road Carpinteria California United States 93013 E-mail: ruthie@girlsinc-carp.org |
Global Action Network
Los Angeles, California, United States
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The Global Action Network, launched in January 2001, is an online community designed to connect, educate, and empower young people working in the global population and reproductive health field This is achieved through the sharing of knowledge and experience from one member to another. This virtual gathering place and resource center was created to improve reproductive health programs by diversifying the group of individuals working in the field and providing leadership development and opportunities that will build capacity, improve programs, expand mobility and increase resources. The Global Action Network believes that the application of this model to emerging leaders will have a strong impact and will result in the positive programmatic and policy change within the field of global population and reproductive health. Contact Details: Global Action Network 4972 Fountain Ave. Los Angeles California United States 90029 E-mail: ajohnston@globalactionnetwork.org |
Global Fund for Women
San Francisco, California, United States
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The Global Fund for Women was established in 1987 to address the lack of funding available to women activists worldwide. The mission of the Global Fund for Women is "to advance women's human rights by making grants to women's groups that work to gain freedom from poverty, violence and discrimination." Their grants go exclusively to women's organizations outside the U.S. to "help expand the choices available to women and ensure that women's voices are heard at the local, national and international level." The Global Fund for Women issues general grants supporting "universal issues such as reproductive health and choice, improved access to media and communications, the advancement of women in positions of elected leadership, the rights of sexual minorities, and the prevention of violence against women and children". In addition, special funding initiatives make a multi-year commitment to more deeply understand a specific critical issue, to collaborate with other organizations, and to increase grant-making to women's groups working on the issue. The Global Fund for Women, governed by a fifteen member Board of Directors and staffed by 28 women and men, has issued grants to 2,000 women's groups in 161 countries since its creation. Contact Details: Global Fund for Women 1375 Sutter St., Suite 400 San Francisco California United States 94109 E-mail: gfw@globalfundforwomen.org |
Guidance Society for Labour Orphans and Women (GLOW)
Tamil Nadu, India
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GLOW (Guidance Society for Labor Orphans and Women) is a non-profit, social service organization that has been assisting the poor, marginalized and vulnerable Dalit women of Taminadu, India since 1996. GLOW operates in five districts within Taminadu, servicing 168 villages and hamlets. GLOW's development activities have benefited nearly 40% of the population in these districts. The mission of GLOW is to "raise the socio-economic condition of the poor and the marginalized and to empower them politically using Micro-Credit small savings and credits as its main strategy." GLOW works toward breaking the cycle of poverty through integrating micro finance schemes and gender programs. Currently, GLOW is involved in ten major programs including STD/HIV awareness, micro-credit loans, scavenger's rehabitation program, and gender development to name a few.
Contact Details: Guidance Society for Labour Orphans and Women (GLOW) K. Pudur. post Tifuppattur.Tk Vellore District Tamil Nadu India 635653 E-mail: annaduraiglow@rediffmail.com |
Guild of Women Achievers (GOWA)
Bangalore, India
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The mission of Guild of Women Achievers (GOWA) is to help women maximize their potential by networking and helping each other to grow personally and professionally. Their current goals are to build a strong membership base of women from different walks of life and also to motivate them to reach out to women from marginalized sections by volunteering their ideas, time, talent, services, experience and expertise. GOWA was designed to boost women's self esteem by perceiving them as an achievers, therefore stepping out of the 'victim' mold and into the one of 'victor'. GOWA serves women from both urban and rural areas, catering to each groups specific needs. Activities/projects include income generating activities, free health services and counseling, annual "Best mother, grandmother and husband" awards, conferences for businesses concerning employment of women, lectures in schools concerning interpersonal relations, craft workshops, product marketing workshops, product exhibitions, and more. Since it's introduction in 1996, GOWA now has 650 members and is still growing. "Be a friend to another woman" is the basic thrust of GOWA.
Contact Details: Guild of Women Achievers (GOWA) 8/67 Block1 Railway Parallel Road Kumara Park West Bangalore India 560-020 E-mail: womenach@hotmail.com |
Huruma Rehabilitation Programme
Shinyanga, Tanzania, United Republic of
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The Huruma Rehabilitation Programme is an organization based in Shinyanga, Tanzania. It was founded in 1994 by Reverend Dustan Matuta in order to help marginalized women within the community. The mission of the organization is to improve the women's standard of living and their goal is to see that women in the project are treated with love, respect, and courtesy. The organization focuses on widows because they are the poorest and most marginalized within the community. The organization is composed of six board members, who make all of the decisions, three staff members, and two volunteers. They collaborate with local community organizations, Oxfam, YADEC, and WEGCC. The Huruma Rehabilitation Programme has provided loans and currently they are working on distributing clothing and food. Contact Details: Huruma Rehabilitation Programme P.O. Box 2030 Shinyanga Tanzania, United Republic of E-mail: revmatuta@yahoo.com.br |
Indira Social Welfare Organization ISWO
Dhenkanal, India
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Indira Social Welfare Organization (ISWO) was started in 1985 by a group of enthusiastic female teenagers mainly from Thenkanal district in the state of Orissa. This group of girls had been attending tailoring classes and after identifying the need for skills training in their own town, they formed ISWO. The organization aims to empower the slum dwelling women, who are mostly Dalit and tribal women, to enable them to rise above the poverty line. Most of this population is illiterate and experiences wage exploitation, health hazards and violence. Past services provided by ISWO include community organization, health, education, and infrastructural development plus environmental and agricultural improvement. IWSO has recently started a human rights project which provides legal counseling and legal aid to women in the district. In addition they operate a girls school and run awareness programs.
Contact Details: Indira Social Welfare Organization ISWO At-Kunjakanta, (Chandiasahi) Dhenkanal India 759001 E-mail: puspanjaliiswodkl@hotmail.com |
Inspiration Nepal
Thamel, Nepal
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Inspiration Nepal was founded in March 2003 with the purpose of uniting a group of energetic and socially-minded students to be "helping hands" for the welfare of their community. Their mission is "to eliminate illiteracy from early childhood, to launch programs on women's awareness within their community, to provide skill-development programs, to provide opportunities to apply the abilities of women and children, to unite women for creative and developmental works, and, finally, to bring women into the mainstream of development of the nation." The staff of thirteen students and various other volunteers have conducted a survey on the labor conditions of women and children and been involved in the development of programs for blood donation and low-income youth scholarships. The group is currently investigating child prostitution and working on a Campaign Against Migrant Child Labor. Contact Details: Inspiration Nepal Collins Institute (Inspiration Nepal) Near Saraswoti Campus (Above Saraswoti Book Store) Contact No 4418362 Thamel Nepal E-mail: inspirationnepal@hotmail.com |
Institute for Development Studies and Practices, IDSP - Pakistan
Quetta, Pakistan
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The Institute for Development Studies and Practices in Pakistan was officially established in 1996, but has been working for the past 25 years to "create and develop human resources that will change the power structure [of Pakistan communities] by demystifying the development process and by establishing sustainable partnerships with communities." Today, IDSP's mission targets underprivileged women who suffer from poverty as well as unequal economic, social, political, and educational rights. IDSP is governed by an executive committee, and each of its program sectors has its own implementation committee. Some of the programs include: Learning and Community Development, in which "learners are selected based on their record of community-based activism, contributions to local cultures, intellectual caliber etc." to help build the initiative of IDSP; an Academic Program, in which research is introduced as the key component in every programmatic activity they try to promote; Institutional Development and Core Support, in which publications are made for the overall outlook of the institution; and External Relationships, through which IDSP keeps its extensive list of networked organizations engaged and apprised of its proceedings. Contact Details: Institute for Development Studies and Practices, IDSP - Pakistan C - 32, Railway Housing Society, Joint Road Quetta Pakistan E-mail: idsp@idsp.org.pk |
Institute for Women's Studies and Research
Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic of
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The Institute for Women's Studies and Research (IWSR) is a non-governmental organization that was established in 1986 to promote the status of women in Iran through research and training programs and the inclusion of women in policy making. The organization consists of a board of trustees, a managing board, and two full-time staff personnel. They conduct research and studies on women's issues, women's rights, violence against women and other related fields, hold training courses, and advocate for women's rights in Iran. They have implemented educational workshops and seminars at the national and international level for exploring and resolving women's problems. In addition, they have established a "National Committee for Prevention of Violence against Women" and offer consultancy services to families, women and youth. Contact Details: Institute for Women's Studies and Research 23 West Nahid, Vali-e Asr Avenue Tehran Iran, Islamic Republic of E-mail: info@iwsr.org |
Integrated Women Development Institute (IWDI)
Chennai, India
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The Integrated Women Development Institute was founded in 1989 by Celinal Paul Daniel, a woman inspired by the ideology of Gandhian thoughts and Christianity, who wanted to implement programs and rural development works that would benefit the people living in Gummidipoondi and Ponneri taluks of the Thiruvallur District. IWDI fulfills its mission to uplift women and girl children from the devastating situations they encounter by setting up income generating programs for deserving women to become self-employed. The IWDI targets homeless women, low income bonded labourers, the destitute, the deserted aged, and nutrition lacking girl children and provides them with better water facilities, proper sanitation, hygiene education, and savings micro credit programs. Under the rehabilitation of manual scavengers programs, IWDI has formed four sanitary Mart Groups in the Ambattur and Kattivakkan municipalities (slum areas). IWDI also would like to educate and motivate women through Leadership Training Camps with a view to utilise their potential for creation of a new society which is free from exploitation. Contact Details: Integrated Women Development Institute (IWDI) No. 14/57, Thirunagar, Villivakkam Villivakkam Chennai India 600 049 E-mail: womenaid@md3.vsnl.net.in |
Jagaran Nepal
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Jagaran Nepal was founded in 2000 in Kathmandu by Miss Sharmila Karki. The mission of the organization is to mobilize underprivileged women and children for their rights and social justice. The goal of Jagaran is to develop and empower women for leadership for the positive change of society and for peace-building. Jagaran believes that when women become involved in state/country-levelleadership and policy-making decisions their concerns can no longer be ignored. The Jagaran Nepal team includes 31 members serving as a Board of Directors, a General Body, Advisors, and volunteers. Jagaran currently has 3 programs, two working in rural villages with women to develop their leadership and political skills as well as a national campaign to include women of different sectors in Nepal's political process.
Contact Details: Jagaran Nepal Anamnagar, P.O. Box 19487 Kathmandu Nepal E-mail: jagarannepal@hons.com.np |
Janaki Women Awareness Society (JWAS)
Janakpur, Nepal
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The Janaki Women Awareness Society (JWAS) was founded in 1993 by a group of women social workers to provide sustainable development, self-help promotion, and empowerment and equality to rural women. The mission of JWAS is to "improve the economical, health, and social condition of rural women by proper mobilization of local resources with community participation." The organization consists of a general assembly of 85 women who elect seven women to serve on a board of directors overseeing 21 staff members and nine volunteers. They have worked on programs aimed at education, legal literacy, and reproductive health for women. In addition, JWAS has launched a goat-raising program for rural women's economic development and hosted training seminars on violence and discrimination against women. The organization is currently continuing an economic progress program for women and working toward an awareness campaign on girl child marriages. Contact Details: Janaki Women Awareness Society (JWAS) Janakpur Nepal 45601 E-mail: jwasnepal@hotmail.com |
JEETA (Joint Endeavour for Emancipation, Training and Action for Women)
Cuttack, India
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The Joint Endeavor for Emancipation, Training and Action for Women (JEETA) was founded in 1994 by a group of women from varying backgrounds. Their primary interest is to help women in the State of Orissa by initiating a sustained human rights campaign. JEETA works to inform and organize poor and disadvantaged women in rural and urban areas who are distressed and vulnerable. Some of the problems that the women face are violence, low wages, trafficking and drug abuse. The organization promotes empowerment by focusing on issues such as socio-economic development and access to government organizations. Through newspapers, magazines, anti-drug and anti-liquor movements it creates awareness and education throughout the local community. JEETA has also participated in unionizing daily wage and domestic workers and through participation in the Right to Information movement they aim to promote an open, responsive and transparent government. Contact Details: JEETA (Joint Endeavour for Emancipation, Training and Action for Women) 4-A-Jubilee Tower, Choudhury Bazar Cuttack India 753009 E-mail: dollidash@rediffmail.com |
Jinja Christian Women Ministry
Jinja, Uganda
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Jinja Christian Women Ministry was founded in 1999 by a group of 30 women from Jinja District, Uganda, to network, share skills/information, and jointly address the needs and economic well-being of both rural and urban women. The organization's mission is to "uplift and empower the woman into her destiny and value, and so be able to face and overcome the challenges in her surroundings." Their goals include empowering women with marketable skills, supporting and promoting human rights and girls' education, and providing spiritual programs. Structurally, the Ministry is run by a three-member board of trustees, an executive board of seven members, and management council made up of executive board members and four department heads. They have held seminars for skill development, adult literacy, antenatal care and family planning, in addition to regularly hosting "come-together" meetings. They are presently working on nutrition education and have submitted a proposal to bring heifers to fifty homesteads. Contact Details: Jinja Christian Women Ministry P.O.Box 706 Jinja-Uganda Jinja Uganda E-mail: jinjawomen@yahoo.com |
Kamdhenu Association
Kathmandu, Nepal
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The Kamdhenu Association, founded in 1993, is a non-governmental, non-political, non-profit organization that works in Kathmandu, Nepal. Kamdhenu's mission is to improve the position of women in the family structure, as well as in society. The organization intends to provide skills to women for income generating through training and program activities. The trainings also include information related to maternity, children's health, sanitation, safe drinking water and nutrition. In addition, legal literacy aimed at women's rights is taught. Currently they are working on raising the awareness of local people in order to encourage participation in community building and improving the quality of life. Contact Details: Kamdhenu Association Tebahal, Kathmandu P.O. Box No. 9693 Kathmandu Nepal E-mail: sarayushrestha@hotmail.com |
K'inal Antsetik, A.C.
Cuidad de Mexico, Mexico
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This organization was originally created in 1989 by a group of women feminists who opposed the violations against indigenous women and who fought for the legalization of abortion. Registered since 1995 as a non-governmental organization, Kinal Antzetik A.C. has extensive experience with artists cooperatives and creating social justice for women. Today indigenous women continue to be among the most disadvantaged and are many times denied their rights. For this reason Kinal Antzetik A.C. provides services that aim to help women that are trying to organize as groups and encourages their political participation. One of Kinal Antzetik A.C.'s projects aims to decrease the mortality rate of women during and after pregnancy. They also provide programs such a conflict resolution for indigenous populations and are involved in programs with the United Nations.
Esta organización fue originalmente creada en 1989 por un grupo de mujeres feministas que estaban contra las violaciones hacia las mujeres indígenas y quienes pelearon por la legalización del aborto. Registrada desde 1995 como una organización no-gubernamental, Kinal Antzetik A.C. tiene mucha experiencia con cooperativas artísticas y creando justicia social para la mujer. Hoy las mujeres indígenas siguen siendo unas des las mas afectadas y muchas veces sus derechos no son respetados. Por esta razón Kinal Antzetik A.C. provee servicios que tratan de ayudar a mujeres que están tratando de organizarse como grupos y alienta su participación política. Uno de los proyectos de Kinal Antzetik A.C. tiene la meta de desminuir nivel de mortalidad de mujeres embarazadas y después del embarazo. Ellos también proveen programas como resolución de conflictos para populaciones indígenas y trabajan en programas con la ONU. Contact Details: K'inal Antsetik, A.C. Calle San Simon #82 Departamento 306 Colonia San Simon, Delegacion Benito Juarez Distrito Federal Cuidad de Mexico Mexico E-mail: kinaldf@laneta.apc.org |
Learning & Caring Society
Lahore, Pakistan
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The Learning and Caring Society (LCS) is based in Lahore, Pakistan and aims to safeguard women, youth, mentally retarded, and the elderly. Their motto is to "Serve Humanity without Discrimination." The organization's goal is to provide educational facilities for women and homes for the elderly and neglected people of society. The primary aim of LCS is to train and teach women and mentally retarded people various skills in order to improve their socioeconomic status. LCS has established a Women Skills Development Center where the women learn skills like stitching, knitting, fashion design, and embroidery. LCS focuses on providing the women with a job after completing the skills program and their aim is the improvement, motivation, empowerment, self-reliance, and rehabilitation of women. In addition, this organization has been involved in running a daycare for children, enabling their mothers to work, and in disaster management programs.
Contact Details: Learning & Caring Society 128-J, Gulberg-III, near firdous Market Lahore Pakistan 74600 E-mail: lcspakistan@yahoo.com |
MAHILA MANDAL BARMER AGOR (MMBA)
BARMER, India
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MMBA, founded by Ms. Mumtaz Ben as a result of her struggle to improve the quality of life at Indira Colony, has been working in the Barmer and Jaisalmer districts of India since 1985. It is a grass roots organization that concentrates on education, health, gender discrimination, and serves primarily widowed women known as dalits. Ms. Mumtaz Ben received the "Women Excellency Award" in 1997 from the National Women Commission for her work through MMBA. The vision of MMBA is to "establish a society with equal rights for men and women." The organization aims to inform villagers, especially women, of their fundamental rights and to promote their upliftment through education and participation in organizational activities. Mahila Mandal Barmer Agor is currently involved with non-formal educational camps for girls, non-formal educational schools, a community based project working with the visually impaired, and rural development projects .
Contact Details: MAHILA MANDAL BARMER AGOR (MMBA) INDIRA COLONY BARMER RAJASTHAN INDIA BARMER India 344001 E-mail: |
Mahila Sankshem Sangh (MASS)
Hyderabad, India
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The Mahila Sankshem Sangh (MASS or Women Development Organization) was founded in 1994 by a group of women activists who aimed to form self sustainable programs for women and to educate women on reproductive health and legal rights. MASS currently has five staff members and 1,000 organizational members. The organization has created self managed women's groups which build the capacity of women to create "socially and economically self sustained women with equal participation in decision making of their respective families." Currently MASS is engaged in a number of programs, such as Girl Child Education, Leadership Development Camps, Health Awareness Camps, Thrift and Credit Activities, Income Generation Activities, and Skill Development Activities, which provide socially and economically disadvantaged women, single women, and illiterate women with numerous resources to improve their standard of living.
Contact Details: Mahila Sankshem Sangh (MASS) 16-2-700, B-104 Sai Dilsukh Apartments Malakpet Hyderabad India 500 036 E-mail: massknr@rediffmail.com |
Manushi
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Manushi was founded in 1990 by a group of five women from a multidisciplinary background (community workers, economist, social scientist, gender specialist and grass roots women) who felt that the "economic growth model" of development had failed to recognize the needs of the major sectors of the population of the global south. The organization strives to promote a development ethos that is based on social justice, self reliance, gender equality and good governance. Manushi serves rural grassroots women and communities who have been traditionally excluded socially and economically from the basic necessities in life and who continue to be marginalized. Past and present activities include: 1) In remote Western region of Nepal: Community level "gender sensitization program" for 20 primary level government managed schools 2) In 10 districts: working with farmers on a sustainable soil management project and monitoring of gender sensitive decision making processes 3) developing local handicrafts as income generating project.
Contact Details: Manushi P.O. Box 2682 Kathmandu Nepal E-mail: cwd@mail.com.np |
Nagarik Aawaz
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Nagarik Aawaz, meaning "voice of the citizen", was initiated on July 17, 2001 in Nepal as a forum for concerned development professionals and organizations that felt the urgency to act together to work for peace. At first weekly meetings were held for two months to generate and share ideas about possible relief work and support related to the impact of the Maoist insurgency and counter-insurgency. With the mission to "involve civil society and mobilize local resources for lasting peace in Nepal," the organization's work has aimed to assess the physical, psychological, social and economic situation that conflict widows and youth are facing and suggest areas of support and possible policy changes to government, political parties, donors, the private sector and civil society. Nagarik Aawaz's six core staff and five volunteers continue to host bi-weekly interaction forums, conduct pioneering research on conflict widows, run an innovative program for youths displaced by the conflict and spearhead a joint initiative for peace. Contact Details: Nagarik Aawaz Ekantakuna-4 PO Box 9041 Kathmandu Nepal E-mail: naawaz@ntc.net.np |
Nari Chetna Kendra Nepal (Women Awareness Center Nepal)
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Founded in 1991, WACN focuses on the advancement of women through development of the inherent personal power of rural and underprivileged women. Their goals are achieved through "awareness campaigns" which are conducted in rural villages, the creation of credit (savings) groups, income generation training and literacy programs. They serve approximately 3,000 poor, rural women and have on-going programs in four districts outside the Kathmandu Valley. (For a detailed description of this group please go to http://www.changemakers.net/journal/02december/index.cfm) Contact Details: Nari Chetna Kendra Nepal (Women Awareness Center Nepal) PO Box 2245 Gyanshwor Kathmandu Nepal E-mail: wacn@mail.com.np |
Nari-O-Sishu Kalyan Kendra (NSKK)
Howrah, India
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Nari-O-Sishu Kalyan Kendra (NSKK) was registered in 1979. It was originally founded by a man named Md. Mainuddin, who believed in empowering women. His initial goal was to empower women living in seven Muslim dominated villages who due to their faith were unable to receive an education. In these communities, women courageous enough to seek an education were socially and economically punished. His strategy was to encourage women to share their hardships as a way of silently mobilizing a form of resistance. This strategy was so successful, that today NSSK is run by women who work for women. The organization serves all ages of women because they believe that at each stage of life women face different problems. For example, female children face child labor, adolescents face early marriage and adult women face victimization within the home and in society. NSSK focuses its services on three age groups of women: up to 12; 12-18; and 18-45. Some of the current activities and programs include: counseling services; consist of mobilization of local resources; and credit access for skill development and self employment opportunities. Contact Details: Nari-O-Sishu Kalyan Kendra (NSKK) Vill-Khaskhamar, PO Rameswarnagar Dist. Howrah Howrah India 711 310 E-mail: nskk@vsnl.net |
Nepal Association of University Women
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Established in July 1991, the Nepal Association of University Women unites women graduates from different educational institutions of Nepal and to improve their self. Nepal Association of University Women is greatly concerned with the lack of education, lack of skill, and employment opportunities that exist in Nepal. The organization facilitates various activities such as: 1) seminars and workshops, 2) community development projects 3) a library, and 4) non-formal education and training. These activities seek to support and encourage members to acquire more knowledge, allowing them to initiate creative activities which are beneficial to women of different communities within Nepal. These activities also mobilize women to participate in national development thereby enhancing their leadership. Contact Details: Nepal Association of University Women P.O. Box 10069 Kathmandu Nepal E-mail: rsuwal@rbb.com.np |
Nepal Disabled Women Society (NDWS)
Lalitpur -3, Nepal
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Nepal Disabled Women Society (NDWS) is an organization created for disabled women and female children in Nepal. The organization was established in 1994 by a group of disabled women that could not find the proper economic, political or social support that they needed. NDWS main goal is to rehabilitate and protect the rights, interests, and duties of the disabled women while providing proper support. NDWS has five branch offices in five districts of Nepal. Each office provides assistance to disabled women who are blind, deaf, physically disabled or mentally retarded. NDWS ultimate vision is to see all disabled women from within the kingdom to have access to opportunities and resources so they can manage their own destinies. They publish a news magazine called the "Disabled Voice" and conduct various workshops to provide skills varying from sign language to handicrafts. In the future they hope to explore possibilities in finding employment opportunities for disabled women and providing modern training in computer, English language, and receptionist skills. Contact Details: Nepal Disabled Women Society (NDWS) Jawalakhel Post Box No. 5445 Lalitpur -3 Nepal E-mail: ndwsp@wlink.com.np |
New Afghanistan Women Association (NAWA)
Kabul, Afghanistan
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The New Afghanistan Women Association (NAWA) formed in 2002 is the combination of Afghan Women Journalist Association (AWJA) founded in 1994, and Afghan Feminine Association (AFA) founded in 1999. NAWA's goal is to support Afghan women and girls by promoting their education. NAWA also aims to further democracy and women's rights by encouraging women to participate in reconstructing a new Afghanistan. Due to the high rate of illiteracy among Afghan women, the organization has set up home schools to educate them. Part of NAWA's programmatic activities also include training women to work as journalists and learn about the media. In addition they work to educate women about their right to learn, irrespective of their age or marital status. By raising women's awareness about their own rights NAWA hopes that women will be active partners in reconstructing a democratic Afghanistan.
Contact Details: New Afghanistan Women Association (NAWA) 4th Microrayan Block 11 Apartment 30 Kabul Afghanistan E-mail: shafiqa_h@yahoo.com |
Nirnaya
Secunderabad, India
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Nirnaya is a non-profit women's trust that was founded in 1998 by Indira Jena and Uma Maheehwan. The organization's main mission is to work towards gender justice by increasing women's decision making capabilities. Their mission is accomplished by financially supporting both rural and urban grassroots women's groups. The organization focuses it's works on Dalit tribal women and girls because they are the ones who are most vulnerable to poverty and violence in Indian society. Nirnaya supports and promotes the formation of grassroots women's groups, in urban slums as well as in rural areas. The organization also conducts and sponsors skill training for adolescent girls. With their fundraising activities they have established a legal aid and counseling center for the women.
Contact Details: Nirnaya Flat #11, Deepti Apts. S.P. Road Secunderabad India 500-026 E-mail: hyd2_nirnaya@sancharnet.in |
OLAKH - A Space For Women. A Feminist Documentation Resource & Counseling Centre.
Vadodara, India
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OLAKH, A Space for Women, is a feminist documentation, resource and counseling center founded in 1993. This organization stresses the need to have an alternative space for women to share their own frustrations and to gain education and skills to empower themselves. By gaining a feminist perspective, the existing discriminatory structures such as patriarchy, gender, class, and caste can be recognized and challenged. The organization's ultimate vision is to create a society based on justice and dignity for all. OLAKH strives to attain this goal by reaching women through the use of various forms of mass media and other interactive processes at micro and macro levels. They are able to implement these things by having a safe, confidential and non-judgmental space for women and girls to discuss issues such as violence, sexuality, emotional, mental and reproductive health. The Documentation and Resource Center runs a library, study circle, film screenings along with training workshops and seminars. In addition, OLAKH has a counseling center which offers a telephone help line, face to face dialogue, interventions, and mutual support groups. Contact Details: OLAKH - A Space For Women. A Feminist Documentation Resource & Counseling Centre. 24, Jalaram Park, Opp: Lalbahadur Vidayalaya, Kareli Bagh Pani n Vadodara India 390006 E-mail: olakh@satyam.net.in |
Organization for Women Liberation (OWL)
Nilgris District, India
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OWL was founded in 1984 in response to the felt needs of women in the Nilgiris District under the auspices of the Rural Development Organization. Poverty and the lack of resources are major problems facing these communities which lead to domestic issues, bonded labor, illiteracy and lack of education. OWL identifies economic independence and education as major ingredients for the liberation of women living in very poor conditions. OWL's ongoing work with the Nilgiri District aims to 1) equip women with the necessary skills to be viable employees in the workplace, 2) start supportive services for women and 3) open small scale industries to generate income for the needy women. OWL has been instrumental in establishing a Tea estate for women and their families at Koundankolli and Allavayal-Gudalur and implementing a tailoring and typewriting institution in Gudalur. Contact Details: Organization for Women Liberation (OWL) Gramya Bhavan Aruvankadu Nilgris District India 643-102 E-mail: rdotrust@satyam.net.in |
Pacific Institute for Women's Health
Los Angeles, California, United States
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The Pacific Institute for Women's Health was founded in 1993 by women who wanted to advocate for women's reproductive and sexual health and rights from a feminist perspective. They are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of women and girls, locally and globally. The Institute emphasizes collaboration, coalition-building and communication among non-profit organizations and community-based organizations. Activities include advocacy, training, networking activities, collaborative research, community-initiated interventions, grant-making, evaluation and applied research. PIWH currently has programs based in Latin America, Africa, Asia and California. By collaborating with numerous women's groups around the world, the Institute aims to contribute to women's progress broadly, while focusing its own work in two areas of significant expertise: improving the reproductive and sexual health of women and girls, locally and globally and strengthening women's and youth-serving organizations worldwide. Contact Details: Pacific Institute for Women's Health 3450 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1000 Los Angeles California United States 90010 E-mail: piwh@piwh.org |
Pact Nepal (Samjhauta Nepal)
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Pact Nepal was established as a national NGO in 2001, after twelve years of functioning as a local chapter of Pact International Inc. The organization seeks to create opportunities for women, men, and children to develop skills and resources needed to achieve social, political, civil, and environmental justice. Presently, Pact Nepal is working with women from the southern belt of Nepal along with two hill districts (Surkhet and Ilam), because in these areas illiteracy rates and poverty levels are very high. Pact Nepal works in collaboration with many NGO's in Nepal providing activities to women including; "Women Reading for Development," a literacy package funded by USAID and reaching over 500,000 women; "Women's Empowerment Program," reaching 125,000 women; and a combating AIDS/HIV program through literacy and awareness. The organization has seven active board members and ten staff members who are committed to achieving women's empowerment.
Contact Details: Pact Nepal (Samjhauta Nepal) Gahana Pokhari, Tangal Kathmandu Nepal E-mail: promote@pactnepal.org.np |
Pakistan Association for Women's Studies
Karachi, Pakistan
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Founded in March 1991 by activists and academics with a feminist consciousness, the Pakistan Association for Women's Studies acts as a catalyst to bring about the empowerment of women, transforming a gender biased society into one inclusive of gender equity and social justice. This social-welfare organization works to provide a forum for interaction and coordination for those engaged in teaching, research or action for women's development. Further goals include developing documentation and publication for women while organizing conferences, seminars, workshops, and short courses on women's studies and feminist issues. This organization works to create health awareness and empowerment amongst our sisters living in urban slums and in peripheral villages of urban areas. Often, short duration focused group sessions are held discussing management of menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Constraints such a lack of health care facilities, unemployment, segregation, illiteracy, and male domination are also issues of concern. Consisting of 14 dedicated women, PAWS has published a newsletter entitled, "Panghat" as well as an academic journal and books and is currently working on a research study on Women's Reproductive health in Pakistan. Contact Details: Pakistan Association for Women's Studies C-31, Noman Heaven, Block 15 Karachi Pakistan 75290 E-mail: pjw_stud@hotmail.com |
Pakistan Women Network
Peshawer, Pakistan
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The Pakistan Women Network was founded in 2002 by concerned professional women. Consisting of eight executive board members with memberships allotted to eleven NGO's and thirty-five individual women, PWN focuses on women from diverse fields of occupation, political sectors and rural backgrounds. The PWN feels that this diverse group has a massive potential, but lacks certain training and exposure to the right environment for their growth and promotion. Because of this, PWN assists its members in the public and private sector, improving their performances as professionals. To do this, they provide advisory services, publishing and networking opportunities, conferences and seminars. PWN is currently working to arrange meetings for donors and NGO's, facilitate training sessions for the women in NGO's and to provide computer training to healthy as well as disabled women.
Contact Details: Pakistan Women Network 81 E/A,old bara road, university town Peshawer Pakistan 25000 E-mail: pwn@brain.net.pk |
PROJECT SWARAJYA
CUTTACK, India
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Project Swarajya was founded in 1988 in Cuttack, Orissa by a group of progressive women and men. They had a vision to “prevent atrocities against women, prevent drug abuse and alcoholism, to promote policy planning for women, to increase the role of women in eco-development, and to empower the women weavers and fisher women.” Since 1988, Project Swarajya has grown to be governed mostly by women. Today, its mission is to “ensure human rights, ... to provide employment opportunities to women... to ensure the participation of women in all spheres of socio-economic-cultural development.” Project Swarajya also campaigns against the trafficking of women, and works for gender justice. These efforts are aimed primarily toward the rural poor and downtrodden dalit women of India. With a staff of 40 and more than 50 volunteers, some of their most current projects include efforts toward scavenger liberation, eradication of child labor, conservation of coastal ecology, governance reform and public interest litigations for the cleaning of rivers. Contact Details: PROJECT SWARAJYA Ganeshghat Bakharabad Cuttack, Orissa CUTTACK India 753002 E-mail: projectswarajya@sify.com |
Qaiser Foundation
Patna, Bihar, India
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Qaiser Foundation is an organization that was created in 1994 through the mother group Mahila Samooh. Qaiser began it's work by launching an awareness campaign among the deprived section of the society regarding health, education, and development. Their main goal is community development and women empowerment through education and health awareness, family welfare and primary health care. Qaiser plans to install education centers, health centers, low cost latrines and develop self help groups by collaborating with different governmental programs. Furthermore, they hope to improve the handling of land disputes and dowry cases. Contact Details: Qaiser Foundation Tahir Lane, Road No16 Gardanibagh Anisabad Patna, Bihar India 800 002 E-mail: |
Red Nacional de Promocion de la Mujer
Tumbes, Peru
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Red Nacional de Promocion de la Mujer was founded by a group of women in 1990 to promote public policy in favor of women. Their mission is to advance public policies that incorporate the perspective of gender and equality on issues of gender-related violence, women's health, political participation, work, and education. The organization is made up of more than 800 women comprising multiple regional networks from throughout the country and is run by a general assembly and a directive council. They have organized programs for citizen awareness on sexual and reproductive rights as well as training workshops on advocacy and human rights, and have promoted a law of equal opportunity.
La Red Nacional de Promocion de la Mujer fue fundada en 1990 por un grupo de mujeres que realizaron el programa nacional de promocion de las mujeres, convirtiendose este programa en la primera politica publica a favor de las mujeres. Su mision consiste en "impulsar politicas publicas que incorporen la perspectiva de genero e iguales oportunidades" dirigidas a violencia de genero, trabajo, salud de la mujer, educacion especialmente de la niña, y participacion politica. La organizacion es una red de mas de 800 miembros en todo el pais con una asamblea nacional de delegadas de cada region que eligen al consejo directivo. La organizacion ha impulsado la vigilancia ciudadana de los derechos sexuales y reproductivos, talleres de capacitacion en advocacy y derechos humanos, y ha impulsado la ley de igualdad de oportunidades
Contact Details: Red Nacional de Promocion de la Mujer belaunde terry mz 10 frente a la dissa tumbes Tumbes Peru 01 E-mail: rnpm@qnet.com.pe |
Refugee Women Network, Inc
Decatur, Georgia, United States
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Created in 1995, Refugee Women's Network Inc.(RWN) is a national grassroots women's organization working to improve the lives of refugee and immigrant women through training, education, and advocacy. RWN's purpose is to prepare refugee and immigrant women to become self-sufficient and effective advocates for themselves, their families, and their communities. The organization serves refugee and immigrant women from many areas of Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Common problems these women face include limited English language skills, lack of marketable skills in the US employment market, domestic violence, and issues attributed to immigration and isolation. RWN is governed by a diverse board of directors composed of refugee and immigrant representatives. They currently have nine staff members who are all refugee and immigrants to the US as well as twenty volunteers assisting throughout the year. Refugee Women's Network training workshops on domestic violence prevention, leadership, human rights advocacy, and micro enterprise projects, have reached approximately 1500 females from 31 states and 51 countries of origin. Contact Details: Refugee Women Network, Inc 4151 Memorial Drive, Suite 103F Decatur Georgia United States 30033 E-mail: rwntraning@mindspring.com |
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE CENTER
KATHMANDU, Nepal
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Resource Development Initiative Center was founded in 1992 with the objective to endorse women's rights. RDIC gives women the skills and knowledge in order to be self sufficient. They serve poor, disadvantaged, and elderly females living in rural areas of Nepal because most of these women are illiterate and without financial support. This NGO is run by a seven member board, two full time employees, and fifteen volunteers. They currently conduct adult literacy classes, advocacy programs, skill development training, and environmental awareness classes to increase the awareness of women in the rural areas. RDIC believes in education as a means of liberation.
Contact Details: RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE CENTER P.O BOX 6944 KATHMANDU Nepal E-mail: udayardc@ntc.net.np |
ROZAN
Islamabad, Pakistan
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Rozan was created by both men and women in 1998 to address issues related to emotional health, gender, and violence against women and children. Their mission is "to enhance the self-esteem of all people, especially women and children, in order to work towards a society which is aware, confident and accepting of itself and others." They work with the community by providing training and counseling services. Rozan works for women of all socio-economic classes facing mental and emotional health problems with a special focus on victims of violence. The organization currently has four programs including Aangan, which works on the emotional health of children with a focus on child sexual abuse, Zeest, which works on the emotional health of women, in particular violence against women, Pehchaan, a gender resource center, and Rabta, a police training project which works with police on issues related to violence against women and children. Rozan presently has 29 staff members, forty volunteers, and over sixty members who work on various programs enhancing women's lives.
Contact Details: ROZAN House # 4-A, Street 34, F-8/1, Islamabad Pakistan 44000 E-mail: rozan@comsats.net.pk |
Rural Educational Awareness Development Society (READS)
Sathankulam, India
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Founded in Tamil Nadu in 1998, Rural Educational Awareness Development Society (READS) organizes women in order to raise their social and economic status. In Tamil Nadu, dowry torture is still prevalent, most women have little or no education due to pressure from their parents to stay home and help with house work, and married women have no voice in decision making. READS goals include forming female self help groups in local villages, gathering young female drop-outs and providing them with an education, and creating vocational training for women and girls. Recently READS has formed 115 female self help groups, and through grants, they have created a female operated dairy farm. They offer training and programs on topics such as savings habits, women's rights, clean environment, and child health. In the future the organization will work on initiating micro credit programs, setting up elderly homes, daycare centers, and implementing income generation programs for women.
Contact Details: Rural Educational Awareness Development Society (READS) 3/2, Kothuva Palli Street, Sathankulam India 628 704 E-mail: reads_j@yahoo.com |
Rural Health and Environment Development Trust (RHEDT)
Coimbatore, India
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Rural Health and Environment Development Trust was established in Tamil Nadu in 1990 by a group of male and female social workers. RHEDT serves the Irula Tribal women of the Nilgiri Hills because these women are denied access to the forest, are forced to live in restrited areas, do not have basic health and educational supplies, are not considered for government welfare, and are deprived of their basic tribal and human rights. The mission of RHEDT is to organize the Tribal women into self-help groups and equip them with knowledge, awareness, analytical skills etc. It also works to help the women take responsibility for their own development initiatives and to enable them to become economically independent. The organization is concerned with environmental awareness, AIDS prevention, mother and child healthcare, as well as human rights. They have established an early childhood education program for the tribal children in order to provide a safe and positive learning environment while their parents work. In the future they are planning to organize and run a school for the children of women who are commercial sex workers. In addition to the board of directors, and general membership, RHEDT currently has a staff of 13 ans over 20 volunteers serving the needs of tribal women. Contact Details: Rural Health and Environment Development Trust (RHEDT) D/NO. 2/304-A Kumaran Nagar Karamadai Coimbatore India 641 104 E-mail: |
SAATHI
Kathmandu, Nepal
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SAATHI is a women's organization that was established in 1992 to address contemporary challenges being faced by Nepali women. In Nepal, SAATHI is recognized as the pioneering organization in the area of violence against women, especially domestic violence. SAATHI's goals are to promote gender equity and equality based development, to eliminate injustice and violence against women, to support the victims and their children, to collect data through research in order to identify the social issues, to raise awareness among the women, and to work as a pressure group. SAATHI has been very active in the drafting and advocacy of key legislation affecting the status of women and children such as the property rights bill, the bill of domestic violence, and the child protection act. SAATHI has implemented different strategies including workshops, lobbying, designing and conducting training for government and NGO partners, mobilizing communities, providing crisis intervention and shelter services, as well as influencing government policy and legal reform. SAATHI has a strong advocacy strategy and has recently formed a National Coalition for Violence Against Women and Girls in partnership with 31 other organisations. Contact Details: SAATHI Baluwatar 4 Kathmandu Nepal 7770 E-mail: saathi@net.com.np |
SACH - Struggle for Change
Islamabad, Pakistan
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Sach-Struggle for Change is an organization that works toward the rehabilitation and reintegration for survivors of organized violence and torture. The organization operates by using an interdisciplinary and holistic approach. They focus on human rights issues with a special focus on women and children, due to the fact that they are often the most oppressed. Sach works specifically with victims who are in prison and refugees who have fled from their native lands due to war, inhumane treatment instigated by their governments or oppressive socioeconomic conditions surrounding them. The organization's goals are to raise consciousness against torture, violence and cruel inhumane treatments and punishments. Furthermore, they aim to train professionals to work with victims of torture, and to provide feed back to the government on policy implications regarding all forms of institutionalized traumatic human rights abuses. The organization currently has training, workshops, and shelter based services in place to achieve their goals. Contact Details: SACH - Struggle for Change PO Box 3025 Melody Islamabad Pakistan 44000 E-mail: khalida@apollo.net.pk |
Saraswathi Meenava Magalir Sangam (Society for Fisher Women)
Tamil Nadu, India
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Saraswathi was founded by Danida Adult Education Project for Marine Fisher Folk in January 1994. It was formed to retain the impact of this adult education program among fisher women. Furthermore, they wanted to organize the women for collective action and to create holistic development for the entire marine fisher community who live in the Bay of Bengal coastal villages of Tamil Nadu. The organization's goal is to empower marine fisher women residing in 30 coastal hamlets so they can ultimately provide alternative and supplementary income for themselves. Since the fishing industry is primarily patriarchal, the women are forced to face many more problems then men. Some of the issues they face include lack of education, health care, and employment. Saraswathi has nine project centers that provide awareness programs, education, employment and various other support such as counseling and first aid. The organization now has 64 volunteers and 6 board members. Contact Details: Saraswathi Meenava Magalir Sangam (Society for Fisher Women) 174, Ponnu muthu Pillai Street Singara Thoppu Cuddalore Tamil Nadu India 607-003 E-mail: |
SEWA - Nepal
Kathmandu, Nepal
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SEWA Nepal was formed in June 1992 by a group of dedicated and intellectual women for the purpose of improving the socio-economic status of women and children in Nepal. They are serving poor rural and urban women because they are the most vulnerable in the society due to illiteracy, economical weakness, and lack of awareness. SEWA is a member based organization governed by annual meetings. They have participated with the national campaign for the Beijing Conference and provided education to adults and children. In addition, they have created programs for consumer awareness and parental motivation to improve the status of female children. SEWA has over 102 members and is still growing. Contact Details: SEWA - Nepal G1/262. Dilli Bazar P.O. Box 2475 Kathmandu Nepal E-mail: sewa@sewahq.wlink.com.np |
SEXUAL ASSAULT RECOVERY INSTITUTE (SARI)
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
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Sexual Assault Recovery Institute, a behavioral health agency in Phoenix, Arizona specialized in sexual assault, domestic violence, and gender discrimination, works to deliver low or no cost psychotherapy to women, children, and men. They serve the indigent, in particular local prostitutes and residents of homeless shelters who are unable to receive psychotherapy anywhere else. The organization has addressed the United States Congress on topics of sexual abuse and domestic violence. SARI's current programs include in an In-The-Schools prevention program, as well as the Universal Spirit Quest program which works in jails and prisons. SARI has a volunteer based board of Directors, an Executive Director, four Professional staff members, and over one hundred volunteers working to serve the needs of indigent women.
Contact Details: SEXUAL ASSAULT RECOVERY INSTITUTE (SARI) 717 West Coolidge Street Phoenix Arizona United States 85013 E-mail: SARIISAM@AOL.COM |
Shaishav
Bhavnagar, India
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Shaishav was founded in 1992 in the city of Bhavnagar, located in the western peninsula of Gujarat. The organization mainly focuses on improving issues such as child labor, uneducated children and slum children, especially girls. Their primary goal is to improve the general society by beginning with empowering children to take charge and initiate change. Shaishav's philosophy is that a healthy child leads to a healthy adult, which ultimately makes a healthy society. They execute their goals by working towards abolishing child labor in Bhavnagar, protecting children's basic rights and involving parents in activities for their children. They have a multi-pronged strategy to address these complex issues. This strategy includes rehabilitation, prevention, alternative, networking and support. Shaishav strongly believes that people should be helped to empower themselves. Therefore the organization does not play a role as the "problem solver" but rather as a catalyst. Contact Details: Shaishav Block A-2/T-34 Adinath apartment, Opp. Virbhadra Ambawadi Bhavnagar India 364001 E-mail: shaishavad1@sancharnet.in |
Shirkat Gah-Women's Resource Centre
Lahore, Pakistan
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Shirkat Gah (translation - a place of participation) was founded in 1975 and is active in all four provinces of Pakistan with offices in Karachi, Lahore and Peshwar. It is a non-hierarchal collective, integrating consciousness raising with a development perspective and initiating projects translating advocacy into action. The goal of Shirkat Gah is to fully empower women in a just, vibrant, democratic, tolerant and environmentally sound society, where equity and opportunity are ensured for all. Shirkat Gah seeks to bring about women's empowerment for social justice and social justice for women's empowerment; to promote women appropriate development schemes, programs, policies and laws; to enhance women's autonomy, access to resources, and all levels of decision making; and to help catalyze a socio-cultural perspective premised on gender equality at all levels. Shirkat Gah has various programs such as: 1) Women and Law program integrating grassroots to policy-level advocacy and building women's capacity to access rights and address their felt-needs; 2) Outreach program working to build the capacity of community based organizations as actors best positioned to understand the needs of their own communities, to devise and implement appropriate strategies to address these needs and to be a constant and immediate source of support to their communities. Contact Details: Shirkat Gah-Women's Resource Centre 68 Tipu Block New Garden Town Lahore Pakistan 5192 E-mail: sgah@lhr.comsats.net.pk |
SHREEJANA
LALITPUR, Nepal
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Shreejana was founded in 2002 by a group of nine women, former schoolmates from various backgrounds such as engineering, teaching and social work. The main mission of the organization is to "uplift deprived women and children in a rural village of the Lalitpur district" in Nepal. Shreejana began working with women in the farming village of Dukuchhap, who are illiterate and of low-income, despite their proximity to town. The main issues facing the women of Dukuchhap include poor cooperation due to the male domination of the village, lack of awareness and financial burdens. Shreejana's current goals are to: mobilize women; raise awareness about women's issues such as education, health, income generation and human rights; provide training and skills to empower women; and support projects generated by women through training, financial and other support. Shreejana currently focuses on lobbying and networking. The nine founding women also govern Shreejana. Future projects include a health campaign in Dukuchhap, an income generation program, training about Safe Motherhood and publication of a magazine. Contact Details: SHREEJANA WARD NO. -5, MANBHAWAN, LALITPUR, G.P.O. BOX-14333 LALITPUR Nepal E-mail: shreejanao@hotmail.com |
STREE ATYACHAR VIRODHI PARISHAD (Social Organization agitating For Socio-Legal Justice to Women and Girl Children)
NAGPUR, India
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On March 8, 1980, a silent march of women took place in order to bring awareness to the community of the issues women faced, such as rape and other atrocities. The women who organized the march had come together to work on a case which involved a girl who was raped in the police station by the police. This case led Dr. Seema Sakhare to establish Stree (Social Organization Agitating for Socio-Legal Justice to Women and Girl Children) in an attempt to advocate socio-legal justice for women. Today the organization serves 10 districts in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. It aims to bring awareness, awakening and information to women about their constitutional rights, laws and judicial procedures. It also works to create equality, liberty and social justice for women in the society. Although the organization serves all groups of women, they focus on the uneducated poor rural women of Vidarbha Division of Maharashtra State. Because these rural areas are very patriarchal, women do most of the work, with little respect or recognition, and they tend to lack self confidence. Stree's goal is for these women to be self sufficient when it comes to solving their own problems. The organization's main activities included mobilizing groups of women to meet, so that they are able to give each other emotional support and create a community atmosphere, which ultimately enables them to be self sufficient. Stree also has implemented a number of support programs and activities to improve the many atrocities that adolescent and adult women face. Contact Details: STREE ATYACHAR VIRODHI PARISHAD (Social Organization agitating For Socio-Legal Justice to Women and Girl Children) B-204, GANESH APARTMENT, KOTWAL NAGAR, RING ROAD NAGPUR India 440022 E-mail: |
Support
Dhanusha, Nepal
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Support was founded in 1995 by a group of local Nepali women. Support seeks to empower women and to improve the living conditions of women and children though self-reliance. To alleviate poverty they encourage the use of local technology, expertise and resources as tools to solve problems. Support targets women in both rural and urban areas because illiteracy rates are high, child marriage is widely accepted, and women are not able to participate in development projects. Support believes if a women can stand in a decision making position in her own family, this will mark the beginning of society that better understands and accepts women. The organization currently has five full-time staff members, as well as seventeen volunteers. Support collaborates with eight local, three national, and five international organizations. In the past, Support has conducted training activities involving over 300 female participants in topics such as health and sanitation, AIDS prevention, child education and development, and savings and credit. In the future, their activities will focus on AIDS prevention, rural energy awareness, computer literacy programs, as well as community health. Their goal is to reach over 1500 people. Contact Details: Support Campus Road Pirariya Maithan Dhanusha Nepal 00977 E-mail: |
TEWA
Kathmandu, Nepal
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In 1996 Tewa was formally established and registered as a non-profit philanthropic organization that aims to 1) involve communities in the process of closing the gender gap 2) to increase the self-reliance of Nepalese by reducing dependency on foreign donors. Tewa identifies and prioritizes emerging groups of rural women for the allocation and disbursement of Tewa grants. Tewa also utilizes philanthropy and altruism inherent in traditional Nepali culture by urging men and women to regularly donate money for grant making. They also work to address issues that have developed due to the rapid socioeconomic transition of Nepal. Part of Tewa's program activities include training a cadre of fund raising volunteers, targeting educated and resourceful house-wives, who will work towards disseminating and enhancing Tewa's philosophy. These volunteers help raise funds for Tewa and in doing so expand their own knowledge on development related issues. In order to sustain the organization and to make better use of their endowment fund, Tewa is currently developing a recently purchased 2 acre property to build their own office complex. They also plan to develop these premises into other building complexes which will have spaces for women to use their entrepreneurship in trade, crafts, and training facilities while at the same time generating income for Tewa's operational costs. Contact Details: TEWA PO Box 11 Lalit Pur Kathmandu Nepal E-mail: tewa@mail.com.np |
The Women's Center of America
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
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Women’s Center of America began in 2000 to empower women by providing counseling, support, and financial education. Their mission is "Celebrating Empowerment for All Women and Girls!” They are working to help women obtain self-sufficiency and they are advocates of “women helping other women help themselves.” The organization has five hundred members and works on a sliding fee basis in order to help women of all socioeconomic levels. The Women’s Center has 3.5 full time employees and over forty volunteers. In addition to their counseling and supportive services, the organization provides a tax assistance program and a law clinic to assist women in filing divorces. Contact Details: The Women's Center of America 2425 West Stadium Boulevared Ann Arbor Michigan United States 48103 E-mail: thewomenscenter@yahoo.com |
Training Human Rights Association (for Afghanistan) T.H.R.A.
Kabul, Afghanistan
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Training Human Rights Association for Afghanistan (T.H.R.A.) was founded in 2003 to train women in handicrafts and to promote women’s rights, especially related to the participation and election of women in government. With a staff of twelve women, T.H.R.A. trains women in tailoring and the production of handicrafts, provides literacy education, conducts training programs in human rights and advocates on behalf of women. In preparation for the 2004 elections, T.H.R.A. is continuing its one-year election program, which has served over 500 women in five provinces in Afghanistan. Contact Details: Training Human Rights Association (for Afghanistan) T.H.R.A. 2nd Microrayon 103rd Block, 1st Apartment Kabul Afghanistan 0093 E-mail: roshan_sirran@yahoo.com |
Trokosi Abolition Fellowship International
Koforidua, Ghana
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Trokosi Abolition Fellowship International in the Eastern Region of Ghana, Africa was founded in 1999 by Stephen Awudi Gadri and a group of women intent on liberating the Trokosi slaves of the region. Since 1999 its mission has expanded from the “liberation, rehabilitation and modification of other harmful traditional practices” to also include the empowerment of women in health, education, agricultural practices, income generating activities, AIDS support and education. The fellowship’s women are also working on a book regarding the Trokosi slave situation, called “Harvest of Souls, Farewell Trokosi.” The Trokosi Abolition Fellowship seeks to build programs for counseling, skill training, education, micro-enterprise, healthcare, resettlement and integration in order to increase the empowerment of women, and to advance their efforts to liberate the Trokosi slaves. With eleven staff members, thirteen-thousand volunteers, and nine-hundred members, current projects include advocating HIV/AIDS prevention through peer education, voluntary counseling and diagnostic testing. In the future, it hopes to involve women in palm plantations, food processing, computer training and to provide library facilities, and affordable housing for the homeless. Contact Details: Trokosi Abolition Fellowship International P.O. Box KF2789 Koforidua Ghana E-mail: tafighana@yahoo.com |
Tujifunze: Centre Information Technology
Tanzania, United Republic of
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Tujifunze: Centre Information Technology was founded in 2004 to provide support for women and children through the use of information technology in Tanzania’s lake zone. The organization’s mission is “to enhance cooperation and participation among the deprived urban/rural communities” through advocacy for “appropriate utilization of Information, Communication, and Technology among marginalized groups, including the disabled, elderly, orphans, and widows.” The organization consists of five board members, twelve members, and four staff whose activities center on facilitating access to information technology for sustainable development and providing initiatives toward poverty alleviation among the marginalized communities and groups. Tujifunze seeks to assure that women have equitable access to information technology and aims to act as a forum for information and technological development of local communities. Contact Details: Tujifunze: Centre Information Technology 245 Tanzania, United Republic of 25502 E-mail: info_tujifunze@yahoo.com.sg |
Vikalp (Women’s Group)
Baroda, India
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Viklap (Women's Group) was formed by a group of women who felt the need to create a grassroots organization to address women's issues in rural tribal areas. This group of women representing diverse fields such as education, media, government and private sectors, shared a common political understanding and feminist perspective. Vikalp was formally registered in 1996 and is currently working in 70 villages of Chotaudepur and Kavant blocks of Vadodara district in Gujarat state. Vikalp believes that "an aware woman is a revolutionary being who can initiate changes in her surroundings, and in gender relations through collective and individual power." As a means to change, the organization focuses on strengthening women's health, education and rights. Vikalp strongly feels that all three spheres are highly interrelated, therefore, change needs to take place simultaneously. The organization has a strong community base, involving the local village women and representatives of the panchayats (local government bodies) who work together in implementing programs. Most programs aim to develop leadership skills and to encourage decision-making within as well as outside the household. Some of the activities that the organization has initiated include health education and awareness, rapport building, and development of a resource and counseling center.
Contact Details: Vikalp (Women’s Group) 3, Mira Apartments Nr. Vrundavan, Waghodia Road Baroda India 390019 E-mail: vikalpgroup@hotmail.com |
Wake Up India Women's Wing
Bangalore, India
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The organization was founded by Mrs. Ellen John in 1995, with a burden to help the poor in India. Working primarily with rural village women, Wake Up aims to help poor and underserved village women. Their primary programs include: a primary school for rural children; a prison ministry providing counseling and medical care to women in the Bangalore central jail; tailoring, typing and computer training courses. Contact Details: Wake Up India Women's Wing Dodda Dunna Sandra village Devanagundi Post Bangalore India 560067 E-mail: wakeup77@sify.com |
Welfare And Development Organization
Peshawer, Pakistan
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The Welfare Development Organization, (WDO) was founded in 1995 by Mr. Haji Hayatullah who wanted to establish an NGO in order to give women a platform to express themselves because other organizations would not recruit females. Today the organization is run by women and has a staff of forty women working in the field. WDO's mission is 1) to support the Afghan population through the distribution of relief items, 2) to provide potable water facilities, 3) Widow and children sponsorship and 4) the institution of basic health and education programs to these rural communities. WDO serves girls and women from 7-60 years. As women have no power in this part of the world, WDO is working to uplift their current situation. Programs include running a hospital and nursing training courses, providing mother and child health care, and drug awareness programs. Contact Details: Welfare And Development Organization 45-D/3,old jamrud road P.O. Box # 769 University Town Peshawer Pakistan 25000 E-mail: wdo@brain.net.pk |
Women Acting Together For Change (WATCH)
Kathmandu, Nepal
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"The mission of WATCH is to establish a judicial and equitable society in which women and other marginalized people can live in control of their own lives with honor, dignity, and with due recognition." Founded on March 8, 1992 by committed women professionals of different disciplines, WATCH emphasizes a rights-based, participatory approach to development where rural people, especially women and disadvantaged groups, are partners rather than the subjects and/or objects of development. In this way, women are enabled to develop greater self-confidence and self-esteem by increasing their skills, knowledge and by implementing their own decisions. WATCH's activities focus primarily on organizing women's groups and federations for the purpose of empowering women to solve problems at the local level. WATCH is most active in the areas of Women's Rights, Community Organizing, Federation Building, Health, and Community-Based Resource Management. Programs include: AIDS/STD awareness programs including camps, NGO training, information distribution and anonymous blood testing and counseling; creating awareness and action against trafficking and rape of girls by distributing information and facilitating interactive meetings; primary health care clinics and camps including training and support to women health volunteers and birth attendants; community-based development activities including training packages for non-formal education; natural resource management( i.e. - WATCH's Community Forestry Program and Irrigation Users Project); networking and federation building; NGO support and capacity building; and a resource center including publications related to health, women's issues and community-based resource management. Contact Details: Women Acting Together For Change (WATCH) Battisputali - PO Box 11321 Maitiden Kathmandu Nepal E-mail: watchftp@wlink.com.np |
Women Citizen Community Board
Kasur, Pakistan
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Women Citizen Community Board was founded in 2001 by a group of women to work for women’s welfare and empowerment. Their mission is to educate women about their basic rights and enable them to successfully participate in social development and political activities. The organization consists of a seven-member board of directors and a total of 25 volunteers. The Women Citizen Community Board targets rural women of Kasur, holding seminars on women’s rights and education and performing stage shows aimed at stopping violence against women and raising women’s political awareness. The group is currently working on opening centers for adult literacy and women’s health.. Contact Details: Women Citizen Community Board O/S Kot Muraad Khan St. Mashkian Wali Kasur.(Punjab)pakistan Kasur Pakistan 55050 E-mail: wccb_ngo@yahoo.com |
Women Development Resource Centre (WDRC)
Madurai, India
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The Women Development Resource Centre (WDRC), was started in 1991 to create a space for women to come together to sit and discuss the development of women, the injustice on them, and to bring conditional and positional changes to the lives of women. The mission of WDRC is to help promote a strong grassroots women's movement. The organization also addresses the livelihood needs of women, works on actions against violence on women and encourages the political participation of women in local governmental systems. While working in the southern part of Tamil Nadu, WDRC has promoted 162 community level women's organizations among Tribal and Dalit women who are the culturally, economically, socially, culturally, and politically vulnerable. WDRC helps women to promote savings groups for their economical empowerment through promotion of the Women Laborers Bank, which is involved in micro income generation programs which increase the level of income and create local employment opportunities such as organic manure production. Contact Details: Women Development Resource Centre (WDRC) 40A, Meyappa 3rd Street Gnanaolivupuram Madurai India 625016 E-mail: ismmdu@eth.net |
Women Development Society(WODES)
Kathmandu, Nepal
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The Women Development Society (WODES) was established in 1988 to raise women's awareness and to aid women in organizing themselves to recognize their rights. WODES has focused on building community based women's organizations to enable women to achieve equal status through training, education and income generation for self reliance. They also work to empower women through awareness raising actions so that women can make decisions and participate in the development and political process. WODES focuses on working with rural and ethnic women and girl children because these groups are the most exploited and discriminated against. These women do not have access to property, education, or employment. Current programs include education for girls in Dhading, Kavre, Kathmandu and Chitwan and literacy classes in Chitwan. They are also organizing meetings against trafficking and violence against women in Kathmandu, and organizing different income generating activities and women's health and reproductive rights awareness meetings and workshops. Contact Details: Women Development Society(WODES) Sita Paila Ring Road GPO BOX :5840 Kathmandu Nepal E-mail: ncbl@mail.com.np |
Women for Human Rights
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Women for Human Rights (WHr), founded in 1994, aims to provide support to needy single and widowed women of Nepal. The organization helps these women to become independent by conducting various income generating activities and making the women aware of their legal rights. WHr also assists the women by providing scholarships to their children. Working at the village level, the organization initially focused on working only for widows of army personnel. Within the last 2 years, WHr has expanded their activities to include helping single women as well as widows. Women for Human Rights has received funding from the GFW (USA), from local schools and organizations. Contact Details: Women for Human Rights BISALNAGAR Kathmandu Nepal 8973NPC427 E-mail: lily@mos.com.np |
Women for Women Forum (WWF)
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Women for Women Forum (WWF) was established in 1994 by a group of Nepalese women who shared the common vision of carving a better place for women in the male-dominated society of Nepal. Women for Women Forum serves the poor, illiterate, socially backward and underprivileged women of Nepal to change their ways of thinking and to improve their status by empowering them economically, socially and mentally. WWF aims to create awareness about local issues concerning women, to assist women in becoming economically independent, to conduct micro-credit and saving programs, to conduct literacy programs for women and to make women aware of their important roles in their families and the society, and to advocate for the causes of women and gender equality. WWF is fulfilling these objectives through various activities such as: 1) organizing leadership training and literacy programs for women; 2) organizing awareness programs on issues of human rights, women in politics, trafficking, prostitution, abortion & reproductive rights, domestic violence, and other health issues including hygiene, sanitation, HIV/AIDS and STD prevention; 3) distributing free children's magazines for the children of prisoners; 4) conducting training programs on income-generating activities such as sewing, knitting, painting, goat farming, etc.; 5) forming co-operatives for women so that they can carry out credit and saving activities; 6)conducting free health camps, health clinics and distribution of medicines. Contact Details: Women for Women Forum (WWF) P.O. Box 1939 Bhote Bahal Kathmandu Nepal E-mail: wfwforum@hotmail.com |
Women Union of Kurdistan (WUK)
Sulaimany, Iraq
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Women Union of Kurdistan (WUK) was established on November 4, 1989 by a group of eleven women whose goal was to educate and assist in the improvement of women's skills and rights. The mission of WUK is to "achieve women's equality with men in political, social, cultural, economic, and educational aspects." WUK seeks to assist the women of Iraq in hopes of creating opportunities for social change, strategies of mutual support, and facilitating access to educational resources on human rights. Currently, WUK is engaged in numerous activities, such as publishing educational magazines for women, managing the Aram Shelter Project (a shelter for abused women), holding seminars dedicated to educating women in health, education, and legal issues, as well as various projects aiming to improve social development for women. Contact Details: Women Union of Kurdistan (WUK) Salim Street Sulaimany Iraq E-mail: yaketizhnan@hotmail.com |
Women’s Economic Ventures of Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California, United States
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Women's Economic Ventures of Santa Barbara (WEV) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to helping women become economically self-sufficient through entrepreneurship and career development. WEV began providing programming for women in the areas of employment, economic literacy, and personal finance in 1987. Three years of research and development resulted in the establishment of WEV's self-employment training program in 1991. This organization primarily serves low- and moderate-income women, although services are available to all for a sliding fee based on income. Some of WEV's programs include Self-Employment Training, Post-Loan Training Follow-up Services, and a Small Business Loan Fund. (Hosted 2003 Bridging Worlds Emerging Leader Indira Ghale of the Feminist Dalit Organization, Nepal) Contact Details: Women’s Economic Ventures of Santa Barbara 333 South Salinas Santa Barbara California United States 93103 E-mail: info@wevonline.org |
Women's Development Organization "GIE SENPRESNEG"
DAKAR, Senegal
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The Women's Development Organization was started by a group of rural women who wanted to fight against poverty, under development and devastating household conditions within villages. Working in the villages of Malika, Djiddah, and Keur Massar, WDO serves women eighteen years and older. By providing sustainable activities, it aims to break the determental cycle of dependence and poverty. With seven elected board members, eighteen members, and twenty-eight volunteers, WDO focuses on training women through a network of exchange and communication with other associations. In the future, they would like to develop an infrastructure within these villages through the placement of bakeries and fast food restaurants, as well technological accessories including photocopiers, fax machines, phones and internet access.
Contact Details: Women's Development Organization "GIE SENPRESNEG" PLLES ASSAINIES 11/436 MALIKA DAKAR DAKAR Senegal B.P 31120 THIAROYE E-mail: spn64567@hotmail.com |
Women's Edge
Washington, District of Columbia, United States
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Women's Edge is a non-partisan organization, which began in 1998 in order to advocate the needs of women and the poor who are affected by unfair trade policies. Their mission is "to advocate international economic policies and human rights that support women worldwide in ending poverty in their lives, communities and nations." The organization believes that women's participation in both economic and trade policies are imperative to a country's development. The organization focuses on researching and developing U.S. trade policies in order to reduce poverty and violence in developing countries. Women's Edge Coalition specifically works on arranging meetings, educating Americans, communicating with Congress, and building strong links with organizations in developing countries. They have three main programs. The International Development Program educates the public about developmental issues also advocating increased U.S. investment in international aid. The Outreach Program works on educating communities and political leaders on how the U.S. can help women in developing countries. The Trade Program helps make the public, media, and policy makers aware about the effects that trade policies have on women in this age of globalization. Women's Edge Coalition actively collaborates with organizations nationwide to achieve their goals. (Hosted 2003 Bridging Worlds Emerging Leader Sadiqa Basiri of Afghan Women's Network, Kabul, Afghanistan) Contact Details: Women's Edge 1825 Connecticut Ave. NW Suite 800 Washington District of Columbia United States 20009 E-mail: info@womensedge.org |
Women's Emancipation and Development Trust (WED)
Tamilnadu, India
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Women's Emancipation and Development Trust (WED) was founded in 1992 with the aim of "building a gender-just society with self-sustained, economically independent, politically empowered women." The organization's mission is to "empower women and children in all spheres of life through education, training and intervention programs along with networking of peoples' movement for campaigning and lobbying." WED consists of a five-member board of trustees, six permanent full-time staff, ten part-time staff, and five volunteers. Their activities include programs aimed at awareness education to prevent violence against women (especially female infanticide and feticide), self-help groups and micro-finance for women's income generation, as well as family counseling and legal aid. In addition, WED campaigns against child labor and coordinates activities with other regional organizations. Contact Details: Women's Emancipation and Development Trust (WED) Gandhinagar,Chellampatti (P.O) Usilampatti (T.K.), Madurai (D.T) Tamilnadu India 625 566 E-mail: wedtrustindia@sancharnet.in |
Women's Funding Network
San Francisco, California, United States
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The Women's Funding Network (WFN) was founded in 1985 with the goal of creating a worldwide partnership of women's funds, donors, and allies committed to social justice. The mission of the WFN is "to ensure that women's funds are recognized as the 'investment of choice' for people who value the full participation of women and girls as key to strong, equitable, and sustainable communities and societies." The organization of 25 board and eight staff members brings together an international association of 88 women and girls' funds and foundations and more than 20 philanthropic organizations committed to improving the status of women and girls. The WFN supports organizations funding advocacy and services for "girls, older women, immigrant women, and lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals" in the areas of "health, reproductive rights, economic inequality, and gender-based violence." The organization "builds bridges among women's and girls' programs at the local, regional, national and international levels, conducts research for member organizations on gender and equity issues and philanthropic trends, and sets campaign goals to increase the donor base of its members." (Hosted 2003 Bridging Worlds Emerging Leader Kabita Upadhyay of TEWA, Kathmandu, Nepal) Contact Details: Women's Funding Network 1375 Sutter Street Suite 406 San Francisco California United States 94109 E-mail: info@wfnet.org |
Women's Organization for Rural Development (WORD)
Tamil Nadu, India
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Women's Organization for Rural Development (WORD) was founded in 1991 by Ms. Sivakamavalli who envisioned "promoting rights of the oppressed, discriminated and marginalized women" in India. Their goals include eradicating gender disparity through the attainment of social, economic, health, cultural, and environmental development. Focusing on serving primarily rural poor women, the organization works to improve the status of women by promoting women and children in livestock rearing and bio-diversity conservation. Through training and awareness they also work to improve women's health rights. The organization is grounded by a general body of 21 women who elect an executive committee of 7 women, which in turn takes care of the overall function of the organization with support from the staff (composed of 25 women and 2 men). While decisions are collective, the general body has the final word. Some of the organization's recent activities include: "Women Empowerment Through Social Awareness and Economic Development," a program involved in the formation of self-help groups and income generating programs; "Micro-credit of Income Generation Activities," a program offering training in savings and credit management, bookkeeping, and accounts management. This organization is actively involved in several ongoing and widespread programs reaching out to local women through training and education, these vital tools allow them to attain their ambitious aims throughout society.
Contact Details: Women's Organization for Rural Development (WORD) H.O: Post Bag No. 1, Bazaar Street Pandamangalam Post P. Velur Taluk, Namakkal District Tamil Nadu India 637 208 E-mail: siva_word@hotmail.com |
Women's Political Watch (WPW)
New Delhi, India
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Women's Political Watch (WPW) was founded in 1991 by Ms. Veena Nayyar. The organization works to promote development and democracy for women who live below the poverty line in slums and tenements. To encourage development, WPW works to enhance the social and economic status of women by bringing centrality to women's needs. Furthermore, they advocate and implement economic and social programs in the hopes of maximizing women's capacities, resources, and opportunities. By bringing women's political and developmental needs to the mainstream, WPW is encouraging democracy for women. They often help by electing and appointing women in sufficient numbers to local governing bodies. Most importantly, the organization empowers women by creating access to literacy, vocational skills, micro-credit and more. At any time WPW has around 600 women and children spread over 40 centers attending classes.
Contact Details: Women's Political Watch (WPW) L-1/4, Hauz Khas Enclave New Delhi India 110-016 E-mail: nayyar@del3.vsnl.net.in |
World Organization for Mutual Afghan Network (W.O.M.A.N.)
Kabul, Afghanistan
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World Organization for Mutual Afghan Network (WOMAN) was founded by Mina Sherzoy in 2002 in Kabul, Afghanistan. The mission of WOMAN is to "educate, train and empower women not only to become self-sufficient but to play a very important role in their family life as well." The primary focus of this organization is helping widows and the needy, as well as promoting the self-sufficiency of women. During its short existence, WOMAN has initiated 50 women's literacy classes with 2000 students, sent 4 girls on a Law scholarship to Poland, and established on-going bead work and tailoring projects. Currently, WOMAN is working to add a maternity health clinic which trains nurses.
Contact Details: World Organization for Mutual Afghan Network (W.O.M.A.N.) Kolola Poshta Opposit of Borje Bark House No. 91 Kabul Afghanistan E-mail: minasherzoy@hotmail.com |
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS SERVING WOMEN
Aford Nepal
Kapilvastu, Nepal
| AFORD-NEPAL (Awareness for Development) was founded in 2000 to address the lack of sufficient public awareness about education, environment, health sanitation, and family planning in rural Nepal. The principal objective of the organization is “to bring about a positive change and transformation in the life of people in society by empowering, and strengthening the status and conditions of children and women enhancing their pace of development through equal opportunity for equal participation in development in order to create a peaceful, prosperous, equitable and sustainable development in poor, rural communities.” The organization has eleven governing board members and various coordinators and volunteers who aim to implement equitable and sustainable community development programs that combat injustices against women, provide awareness and counseling to HIV/AIDS infected people, and provide income-generating training for women. In cooperation with other non-government organizations AFORD-NEPAL has started a reproductive health clinic, a residential training program, and implemented a safe motherhood program. Contact Details: Aford Nepal Anandbag-2, Taulihawa Kapilvastu Nepal E-mail: afordnepal_btw@wlink.com.np |
African Youth and Health Promotion
Arusha, Tanzania, United Republic of
| African Youth and Health Promotion (AYOHEP) was established in 2000 with the objective of building awareness among youth to combat youth-related problems in the Arusha region. The organization's goal is "to facilitate, train, and empower youth with communication and work skills, which will bring about positive behavior changes geared at significant improvement in their lives and sustainable environment resources for the future generation." AYOHEP consists of 25 members who conduct performances geared toward educating youth on poverty, substance abuse, environmental degradation, and reproductive health problems, including female genital mutilation and HIV/AIDS prevention. The group has performed at secondary schools, training institutes, and area community events. Contact Details: African Youth and Health Promotion P.O Box 8143 Arusha Tanzania, United Republic of 255 E-mail: pmakirika@hotmail.com |
Association pour le Developpement Economique, Social & Culturel de Kalao (ADESCKA)
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| ADESCKA is a young organization that was founded in March 2003 in order to reduce poverty in rural areas. The organization is working to improve economic, social and cultural development of the region by sponsoring local projects. ADESCKA targets poor rural children and women because many of them are living on less than $1 a day. The organization is lead by a community that makes decisions on a consensus basis. ADESCKA has worked on village committee organizations and presently wants to work on various projects including building schools, medical centers, and improving water and sanitation.
Contact Details: Association pour le Developpement Economique, Social & Culturel de Kalao (ADESCKA) 01BP: 4182 Ouagadougou 01 Ouagadougou Burkina Faso 01 E-mail: adescka@yahoo.fr |
Center for Victims of Torture
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
| Founded in 1985, the Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) "exists to heal the wounds of government-sponsored torture on individuals, their families and their communities, and to stop its practice." CVT, with 21 board members and dozens of affiliated staff, has pioneered a comprehensive assessment and care program that is unique in this country. In recent years, CVT has expanded its services to include research, training and public policy initiatives in order to develop strategies for abolishing torture worldwide. They provide services directly to torture survivors, including medical and psychological treatment and social services. CVT also provide referrals to other agencies in the community. They train health, education and human services professionals who work with torture survivors and refugees. They also conduct research on the effects of torture and on effective treatment methods. In addition, CVT advocates for public policy initiatives in Minnesota, in the United States and worldwide that will help heal survivors and put an end to the practice of torture. (Hosted 2003 Bridging World Emerging Leader Ayesha Mahmood of Struggle for Change (SACH), Islamabad, Pakistan) Contact Details: Center for Victims of Torture 717 East River Road Minneapolis Minnesota United States 55455 E-mail: cvt@cvt.org |
Crescent Trust (CT)
Pudukkottai, India
| Crescent Trust was founded in 1988 to work for the development of rural women in the Dalit community who are living below the poverty line. CT aims to uplift poor women and to promote sustainable agriculture. Issues facing this population include socio-cultural and gender inequality. Through women's awareness programs, CT aims to promote community development and traditional leadership. They also offer training in fiscal fiber production, tailoring and food processing. CT has established two preschools and operates an ecology farm to demonstrate sustainable agriculture. Contact Details: Crescent Trust (CT) T.S. No. 8653/1 Kambar St. Thiruvappur Pudukkottai India 622003 E-mail: CRESCENTKESAVAN@YAHOO.CO.IN |
DOVE (Development of Village Education)
Sathankulam , India
| Development of Village Education (Dove) works in the backward villages of Sathankulam Taluk. It was started by a homeopathic doctor named R. Stephen in order to alleviate acute poverty and lack of basic amenities including primary health care and illiteracy. This organization serves communities of "palyra tappers", Dalits, and Farm labourers. Working in forty villages, Dove's mission is to create women centered activities through women self help groups, micro credit programs, empowerment education, sanitary condition improvement, environmental awareness, health care and infrastructure development. Future programs include bringing proper medical care to these villages and working with health professionals to teach villagers about personal health and hygiene. Dove also aims to survey natural resources such as precious herbs in order to protect and put them to use for various ailments. Contact Details: DOVE (Development of Village Education) 21, Sindhu Bhavan Bangalow Street, Sathankulam India 628 704 E-mail: rpackianathan@yahoo.com |
Good Thinkers Organization For Human Development - Women Development Wing
Kasur, Pakistan
| Alive to the critical need to participate in the struggle for change, a group of well-meaning and positive-minded human rights activists in Kasur, Pakistan got together in 2001 to establish the Good Thinkers Organization For Human Development. The organization's mission is to work to end the suffering of all human beings, especially women, purely on humanitarian grounds, without regard to politics or religion, and bring radical, productive change to Kasur, an underdeveloped region of Pakistan. The Good Thinkers Organization For Human Development broadly focuses on women's development, environmental pollution, information technology, free legal aid, and education in Kasur. The organization's seven executives and twenty-four women volunteers host awareness seminars on women's rights, provide legal advice to women, and are working toward the creation of adult literacy centers for women in rural areas of Kasur. Contact Details: Good Thinkers Organization For Human Development - Women Development Wing Chowk Masjid Noor, Shahbaz Road, Kasur Pakistan E-mail: good_thinkers@yahoo.com |
Instituto para la Paz y los Derechos Humanos
Arequipa, Peru
| Instituto para la Paz y los Derechos Humanos was formed by a group of volunteers to confront human rights issues and discrimination among marginalized urban groups. The organization's goal is to work for a system of inclusion in which men and women's rights, diversity, and equality are respected. The organization is a loose collective that coordinates actions and decisions under a directive council. They run programs focusing on family violence counseling, women and youth leadership, community development, and reproductive health, among other issues.
Instituto para la Paz y los Derechos Humanos esta conformada por voluntarios y voluntarias para enfrentarse con la exclusion social, discriminadora, racial y sexofobica de los sectores urbanos marginales. Su objetivo es trabajar "por un sistema de inclusion" y "lograr que los seres humanos: hombres y mujeres viva en en equidad y disfruten de sus derechos respetando su diversidad y el medio ambiente." La organizacion es un colectivo que coordina acciones y responsabilidades bajo una junta directiva. Hace programas de consejeria en violencia intrafamiliar, desarrollo comunitario, mujeres lideres, y salud reproductiva, entre otros.
Contact Details: Instituto para la Paz y los Derechos Humanos Derechos de las Humanas Arequipa Peru E-mail: ipdh@netcentral.zzn.com |
LeverageTrust
Pudukkottai, India
| Leverage-Trust Foundation was created in 1994 by a group of women activists in the Pudukkottai district of Tamilnadu in India. The organization seeks to strengthen deprived communities, especially Dalit women, by promoting self-reliant and self-confident members. Leverage-Trust is working to improve women's gender inequality and human rights, to increase women's general heath, and to strengthen the role of women regarding employment and property ownership. The organization is currently conducting workshops at the local level offering skill training, legal assistance, micro credit promotions, health activities, and economic empowerment training. Contact Details: LeverageTrust 386 Mettupatti Kaikkurici Post Pudukkottai India E-mail: leverageorg@yahoo.com |
National Development Support Program (NDSP)
Peshawar, Pakistan
| NDSP is a Peshwar based non-profit, non-government organization seving Pakistani women. For the past 8 years it has been working for human institutional development in marginalized Pakistan communities. Through action, research, community and beneficiary involvement, NDSP hopes to achieve a world "free of poverty and distress where everyone is able to enjoy his/her fundamental rights to lead a life of dignity, peace and honor without discrimination on the basis of color, creed, race, ethnicity, language, gender and nationality." NDSP is achieving this goal by working for gender justice and development. It is a male-run organization working for the furtherance of female welfare. It addresses women's issues such as equal education, equal employment opportunities, wage parity, harassment in the workplace, domestic violence, and reproductive health. It is also working to integrate child and women's rights in state policy and legal frameworks. NDSP has a 21 person staff and over 600 social workers who are working toward this goal. Contact Details: National Development Support Program (NDSP) NDSP wing, First Floor, Shahid plaza, University road, Peshawar, PAKISTAN Peshawar Pakistan 25000 E-mail: econmist@psh.paknet.com.pk |
Rural Development Organization
Nilgirls, Tamilnadu, India
| Rural Development Organization (RDO) was founded in 1980 to serve rural communities that suffer from lack of resources and education. RDO serves women from the poorest communities in Nilgiris, including Tribal, Harijan, and Baguga and employs 96 people, the majority of whom are women. The organization’s goal is to achieve self-sustaining communities in Nilgiris through capacity-building, income-generation, health care, environmental and educational programs. RDO has set up over 53 supplementary schools in villages so children can have access to a better future. As part of the schools, RDO has also organized over 800 Women's Self Help Groups, comprising more than 12,000 women in the region and geared at generating credit and savings for rural women. Contact Details: Rural Development Organization Gramya Bhavan P.O. Box 7, Aruvankadu Nilgirls, Tamilnadu India 643202 E-mail: rdotrust@satyam.net.in |
Rural Reconstruction Organization
Tamil Nadu, India
| Rural reconstruction Organization was founded in 1999 by Rose Malar to empower women in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. Being the first non-governmental organization in the area, where poverty and unemployment are extremely prevelent, RRO is working to create opportunites for female income generation. In the past the organization has created 180 self-help groups for women and currently holds skill training classes as well. Future plans include income generation and marketing projects. The organization has seven staff members, eleven volunteers and eleven members on the governing board where decisions are made colectively a a group. Contact Details: Rural Reconstruction Organization Alankulam Road Mukkudal P.O. Tirunelveli Dist Tamil Nadu India 627601 E-mail: |
SmileLife Charitable Trust
Navi Mumbai, India
| SmileLife Charitable Trust was founded in 2003 to contribute to women's empowerment. Their mission is to bring about the social and economic betterment of women through programs aimed at giving single women the opportunity for self-sufficiency. Run by a board of five trustees, SmileLife currently runs a program teaching computer literacy to the women of Navi Mumbai. The organization plans to expand their programs to include animal husbandry and other income-generating activities. Ultimately, SmileLife plans on initiating a small-scale local industry that could employ a large number of area women and give them a stable means of income-generation. Contact Details: SmileLife Charitable Trust #C-321, Vashi Plaza, Sector-17, Vashi, Navi Mumbai India 400703 E-mail: smilelifes@smilelifes.org |
SNS Foundation
Gurgaon( Haryana), India
| The SNS Foundation was established in 1976 by the Anand Groups (leading auto component manufacturers operating in 8 states of India), with a view to fulfill its social responsibility in communities where manufacturing is located. Today, its main goal is promoting equal opportunities for development in India for women and children. SNS works to improve the lives of disadvantaged girls and women who are socio-economically and politically disadvantaged. SNS focuses on "Education for All," "Reproductive and child health," and vocational training. With the support of over 15 partner groups and supporters, they are currently involved with an adolescent girls project, health assistants training, organic farming for villagers, a HIV/AIDS project, water harvesting, and their annual Girl Child Exhibition. Most of their funding comes from private donations, grants and community contributions. Contact Details: SNS Foundation 88-89 Industrial Development Colony Mehrauli road Gurgaon( Haryana) India 122001 E-mail: info@snsf.org |
Society for Health Education and Development
Hindupur, India
| Society for Health Education and Development (SHED) is non-profit voluntary organization working for the welfare of the poor communities of Ananttapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India. SHED was established in 1985 to mitigate the sufferings of the poor and underprivileged classes and the socially outcast people, the Dalits. Their mission is "to spread peace and prosperity in urban slums and remote villages in spite of their difficulties." The organization comprises 28 staff members and 43 volunteers and is run by six core officials constituting a governing board. They aim to educate and empower down-trodden people, particularly in rural populations, through awareness campaigns and improvements in health, community development, education, and vocational training. The women's wing of the organization provides programs for women's rights and legal aid as well as women and children's health. In addition, SHED has set up adult literacy programs and conducted awareness programs in villages on environmental protection, drinking water safety, and to inform rural populations of their rights. SHED is currently working on a preschool education program and a leadership and development program for village women. Contact Details: Society for Health Education and Development Andhra Pradesh Hindupur India 515201 E-mail: shed_hup@yahoo.co.in |
YOUNG CITIZEN OF INDIA CHARITABLE TRUSTE
MEHSANA, India
| Young Citizen of India Charitable Truste is an organization located in North Gujarat State. The organization was founded in 1988 with a focus on improving health care for women and children. The main problems faced by women are discrimination, illiteracy, reproductive health problems, and unwanted pregnancies. One of the goals of Young Citizen of India Truste is to educate pregnant women on pre-natal care and infancy care. Furthermore, their activities have included improving the supply of drinking water in the rural areas of north Gujarat. Contact Details: YOUNG CITIZEN OF INDIA CHARITABLE TRUSTE 16,VITTHAL PARK SOCIETY , NO-2 , MALGODOWN ROAD,MEHSANA-384002 NORTH GUJARAT ( INDIA) MEHSANA India E-mail: YCICT_AMARVYAS@REDIFFMAIL.COM |
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