Women Development Cell (WDC) is a Statutory Body that aims to create awareness towards gender sensitization and provide a conducive environment for a holistic development of students and promote their wellbeing. The Women Development Cell is constituted to help maintain a harmonious atmosphere at the Institute, to enable women to pursue their work with dignity and reassurance.
WDC has been organizing events to create awareness among girl students on harassment and abuses in public and private places viz ; ‘Citizen Policing Program’. To address various health issues the cell conducts sensitization programs by gynecologists for girl students. Poster Competitions on relevant topics are held to give a platform for the students to express their views. As media plays an important role in creating awareness and overall development of the youth in various aspects of lives, critically acclaimed films are screened .Workshops are conducted to develop self-defense which is important for women to be able to protect themselves. Domestic violence being a major contributor to the ill health of women, WDC addresses this issue by conducting talks by professionals in this field. Students are given free access to approach NGO’s to share and solve their problems.
The counseling sessions provide students information about the necessary skills required to enhance communication, problem solving, and decrease conflict by addressing expectations within marriage.
In order to achieve good menstrual hygiene practices among girl students, the college authority has installed automatic sanitary napkin vending machine in all ladies’ washrooms along with proper disposal system.
The programs are organized with the perspective of the upliftment of women and to ignite the spirit of gender equality in the society through College students.
Objectives
- Promote an environment of gender sensitivity
- Organize events, workshops on gender sensitization, women welfare
- Orient students towards equality and empowerment, women rights at workplace
- Create space for the youth, especially girls, to express themselves, be creative and acquire new knowledge and skills
Outcome
- Pictures, graphics, video and audio materials helped to influence perceptions, attitudes and eventually subtle change in behaviour among boys and girls towards each other.
- Due to Gender equality talk’s held, students ingrained moral values and became aware of the fact that all genders have equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities. Sensitization about gender equality help prevent violence against women and girls to some extent. Thus the topic ‘Gender Equality’ sensitized the students of our college and educated them.
- Counselling sessions held provided a safe , non-judgemental , warm, and caring environment for the students , which lead to better overall wellness for the body, mind and spirit
Activities
- A session on ‘CHED-CHAD’ was conducted by Stree Mukti Sanghatana representative Ujwala Kadrekar on February 27, 2021 , a Socio-Legal Consultant with Bombay High Court, presently working as an Independent Consultant with UNFPA and OXFAM India. 87 (Boys-24 & Girls-63) students were present for the talk.
- GENDER EQUALITY 27/3/2021- The speaker for the talk was Mrs Pragnya Saraf associated with Stree Mukti Sanghatana since 1984. An engineer by profession and a master certificate from S.P. Jain management institute, presently working as executive engineer with BMC. 72 (28 boys & 34 girls +WDC members &Teachers)
- A talk on “Domestic Violence” by Advocate Shalini Devi on 13th September 2019. 87 students participated
- A Workshop on “Stress Management and Mental Health” by Dr. Sherlyn Senthinathan on 10th December, 2019. 122 students participated
- Installation of automatic sanitary napkin vending machine & Incinerator in all ladies’ washrooms donated by Shree Shankara Hindu Mission of Matunga on 6th Feburary, 2020
- A National Webinar on Transcending Gender Stereotypes by Prof. Ruby Pavri, Head, Department of Psychology, St. Xaviers College, Mumbai on 11th May 2020 during Lockdown. 103 students across the nation participated
- A talk on Legal Rights of Women by Advocate Angeline Rodrigues on 11 Aug. 2018.
- Workshop on Pre-Marital Counseling by Mrs. Pradnaya Saraf, Mrs. Savita Kurade, Mrs. Sangeeta Saraf, and Mr. Chandrakant Sarvgod of Stree Mukti Sanghtana on 10th and 11th September,2018.
- Workshop on Self Defense for Girl Students titled” Mission Sahasi”-Making of the fearless by ABVP on 12th December,2018. 162 girls participated.
- A workshop on “Wellness and Grooming” by Mrs. Tini Singh of Proctor and Gamble was conducted on 9th February, 2019.
- Happy Napi Vending machine instructions by Shreelakshmi Nair from ‘Happy Napi’.on June 29,2017(94 girls attended )
- Personal Hygiene by Rashmi Kulkarni a member of ‘ Stree Mukti Sanghatana’ a NGO on August 4, 2017 (113 girls were presented)
- Mulgi Zali Ho/Beti Aayi Re(Hindi) Short play by 14 members of the NGO ‘ Stree Mukti Sanghatana’, conducted the play. On August 4, 2017 (152 students attended)
- Poster Competition : December 15, 2018, Titles: Gender Equality, Women Empowerment, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Health and Nutrition, Sanitation , Personal Hygiene.16 posters were presented, Judges invited were Dr. Aarti Prasad & Prof. Betty Mathew
- International Women’s Week(Theme – Gender Equality Display of posters) By the student volunteers from March 8-15,2018. 15 posters were displayed.
- Self Defence Workshop for girls was conducted on 3rd August, 2016 by Shri Shivaji Pawar, President of Lee Martial Arts Sports Academy, Chembur. Basic self defence strategies were demonstrated and the students were trained in the same. More than 100 students participated
- Citizen Policing Program WDC organized the “Citizen Policing Program” in association with the Public Concern by Governance Trust on 19 th September, 2016. Representatives of the Trust conducted the program in the seminar room. There were three short clips screened, which dealt with harassment of girls/women in public places. 63 students were present.
- Happy Napi Machine: On 21st September 2016, a presentation was made on how to operate the “Happy Nappi” machine. On 13th October, 2016 the machine was inaugurated by the Principal Dr. Usha Iyer. Vice Principal Sailaja R. and WDC members along with girls were present at the inaugural.
- Talk by a gynecologist : A talk by a gynecologist from ‘Medimix’ was conducted on 30th November 2016 for the girl students. The topic of discussion was ‘Personal Hygiene’.
- Screening of a film : On 27th February 2017, the widely acclaimed film ‘Pink’ was screened in the audio visual room, with the aim to sensitize the students. This was followed by an interactive session. 65 students viewed the film and participated in the discussion
- International Women’s Day: International Women’s Day was celebrated on Wednesday, 8 th March, 2017. Dr. Hemalata Vidyashankar and Dr. Chinmay Nakhwa from Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital were invited for a talk on ‘Awareness on Eye Care’.
Collaboration
The Women Development Cell organizes programs in collaboration with Stree Mukti Sanghatana, a NGO founded in 1975, which is an autonomous, registered organization which works for the empowerment of women. Special programs like skit plays, talks on gender sensitization, counseling session etc are undertaken by the representatives of Stree Mukti Sanghatana.
Faculty
Activities
- Activities 22 - 23
- Poster Competition 2017
- Personal Hygiene
- Mulgi Zali Ho
- Legal Rights of Women
- Pre - Marital Counseling
- Mission Sahasi
- Workshop on Stress Management and Mental Health
- “Wellness and Grooming Workshop”
- Domestic Violence
- Suvidha Napkin Vending Machine
- Transcending Gender Stereotypes
- Ched-Chad
- Gender Equality
- Citizen Policing Program
- Happy Nappi Initiative
- Self defence workshop
- Stress Management in Post- Covid times
Adv. Vaishali Rode – Taking Practical session during Self Defence Workshop organized on 18th January, 2023
Adv. Vaishali Rode – Taking Practical session
Women Development Cell – Committee Members & Adv. Vaishali Rode, Resource Person for Self Defence Workshop organized on 18th January, 2023
Adv. Vaishali Rode – Self Defense workshop on 18th January, 2023
Flyer of Seminar on ‘Personality Development and Personal Hygiene’ organized by the Women Development Cell on 12th January, 2023
Resource Person Miss. Simran Gohil, Corporate trainer interacting with students on 12th January, 2023
Miss. Simran Gohil presenting lecture on the topic personality & personal hygiene
Inauguration session of interactive session on ‘Value Education’ organized by WDC in collaboration with an NGO Stree Mukti Sanghatana on 16th December, 2022
Welcoming Ms. Aruna Soni of Stree Mukti Sanghatana by Mrs. Rekha Bhatia
Inaugural address and Introduction of activities of Stree Mukti Sanghatana by Ms. Aruna Soni 16th December, 2022
Mr. Chandrakant Sarvagod of Stree Mukti Sanghatana delivering talk on Value Education on 16th December, 2022
Demonstration by students to overcome superstitions
Participants of Poster Competition interacting with the Principal Dr. Usha S. Iyer on 15/12/2017
Dr. Aarti Prasad & Prof. Mrs. Betty Mathew judging the participants on 15/12/2017
WDC Committee Members with Volunteers
Dr. Rashmi Kulkarni addressing the girl students on ‘Personal Hygiene’ on Aug.4, 2017
Attentive Students during Dr. Rashmi Kulkarni’s session on ‘Personal Hygiene’ – August 4, 2017
A huge gathering of SIWS students watching ‘Mulgi Zali Ho’ on August 19, 2017
NGO ‘Stree Mukti Sanghatana’ representatives performing during ‘Mulgi Zali Ho’ on August 19, 2017
NGO ‘Stree Mukti Sanghatana’ members enacting during ‘Mulgi Zali Ho’ -August 19, 2017
Dr. Usha Iyer greeting advocate Angeline Rodrigues, Resource Person at an interactive Seminar session titled “Legal Rights of Women”
Students at an interactive Seminar session titled “Legal Rights of Women” by advocate Angeline Rodrigues
A session on ‘Pre – Marital Counseling’ by Stree Mukti Sanghatana representative Mrs. Pradnaya Saraf who is interacting with students on Gender Equality
A session on ‘Pre – Marital Counseling’ by Stree Mukti Sanghatana representative Mrs. Savita Kurade talking about Selection of a Partner
An orientation speech by the chief trainer Mr. Robin at the workshop titled “MISSION SAHASI”-
162 Participants with full zeal and enthusiasm at the workshop “MISSION SAHASI”- MAKING OF THE FEARLESS
Women Development Cell convener Mrs. Rekha Bhatia felicitate the resource person Dr, Sheryl John Senthilnathan on 10th December, 2019
An interactive session attended by students and teachers on 10th December, 2019
Participants of the Workshop on Stress Management and Mental Health on 10th December, 2019
Principal, Dr. Usha Iyer welcoming Ms. Tini Singh, the speaker of the day
Students at the Workshop on “Wellness and Grooming” on 9th February, 2019
Ms. Tini Singh of Proctor and Gamble (third from left) along with WDC members who spoke on ‘Wellness and Grooming’ on 9 th February, 2019
Talk on ‘Domestic Violence’ by Advocate Shalini Devi – interacts with students on
September 13, 2019
Suvidha Napkin Vending Machine in Girls’ washroom donated by Shree Shankara Hindu Mission of Matunga on February 6, 2020
Incinerator for the disposal of used sanitary pads
A National Webinar on Transcending Gender Stereotypes by Prof. Ruby Pavri, Head, Department of Psychology, St. Xaviers College, Mumbai on 11th May 2020 during Lockdown
National Webinar on “Transcending Gender Stereotypes” by Prof. Ruby Pavri, Head, Department of Psychology, St. Xaviers College, Mumbai on 11th May 2020 during Lockdown
Prof. Ruby Pavri, the resource person and speaker at the National Webinar sharing the information on “Transcending Gender Stereotypes” . Head, Department of Psychology, St. Xaviers College, Mumbai on May 11, 2020 during Lockdown
Session on ‘CHED-CHAD’ – February 27, 2021.
Adv. Ujwala Kadrekar speaker for a session on ‘CHED-CHAD’ – February 27, 2021.
Students who attended Adv.Ujwala Kadrekar’s session ‘CHED-CHAD’ on Feb. 27, 2021.
Gender Equality’ – March 27, 2021
Ms. Pragnya Saraf representative of Stree Mukti Sanghatana delivering a talk on ‘Gender Equality’ – March 27, 2021
Ms. Pragnya Saraf representative of Stree Mukti Sanghatana delivering a talk on ‘Gender Equality’ – March 27, 2021
Women Development Cell organized ‘Citizen Policing Program’ in association with the Public Concern by Governance Trust on 19 September, 2016
Three short films regarding Rights of Women were screened during the event held on 19 September, 2016
On 21st September 2016, a presentation was made on how to operate the ‘Happy Nappi’ machine
On 13th October, 2016 the Happy Nappi’ vending machine was installed in the presence of Principal Dr. Usha Iyer, Vice Principal Sailaja Ravindranath, WDC members and girl students
Shri. Shivaji Pawar, President of Lee Martial Arts Sports Academy, Chembur conducts Self Defence workshop for girl students on 3rd August, 2016
Shri. Shivaji Pawar demonstrates Self Defence tactics to the girl students on 3rd August, 2016
Students practice self defence tactics during Self Defence workshop on 3rd August, 2016
The WDC of our college had organized an expert talk titled “Stress Management in Post-Covid Times” for students in collaboration with Stree Mukti Sanghatana .
Take home message- Keep a Problem Solving Attitude
I/C Principal, Dr. Sunita Shirvalkar welcomes Dr. Kranti Kadam. Ms Aruna Soni from Stree Mukti Sanghatana accompanied the speaker
Students and teachers along with Dr. Kadam and members of Stree Mukti Sanghatana at the seminar on Stress Management in Post-Covid Times.
Dr Kadam was interacting with students throughout the session on Stress Management