Mumbai, India
Learning Sources - SCWSD
The services of the centre include a library with a large collection of books and journals on women’s issues, documentation, reference and referral services, and short-term courses (both outreach and regular certificate courses) for awareness-raising and development of skills. All these courses are open to both men and women.
Hon. Director
:
Dr. (Sr.) A. Verghese
Hon. Co-ordinator
:
Dr. Sr. A. Amritmahal
Programme Officer
:
Ms. Deepti Anil
Ms. Lata Pujari
Admistrative Assistant : Ms. Z. Davierwalla
Library Assistant
:
Mr. Rajesh Salve
Office Assistant
:
Ms. J. Fernandes
Attendant : Mr. H. Lopes
  E-mail : sophia_ womencentre@hotmail.com


Outreach Courses

The centre offers outreach courses for the underprivileged. The focus of these training programmes is economic empowerment. These courses also train students in marketing and English language skills.

Certificate Courses offered :
Certificate course in Food and Nutrition

Outreach Certificate Courses offered :
Certificate course for Health Workers.
Certificate course in Functional English
Certificate course in Needlecraft
Certificate course in Repair of Home Appliances
Certificate course in Foodcraft
Certificate course in Papercraft

Course for Domestic Assistants
Course in Making Clay items.


Workshops And Seminars

The centre conducts workshops and seminars on issues related to women.
It also publishes research articles on women’s issues, in its own journal Urdhva Mula. A number of undergraduate research projects have been launched in collaboration with various departments and some of these are published as part of a working paper series on the theme of the year.
The Women’s Centre was planned as the memorial of the Golden Jubilee of the College (1990-91). Since then, at various stages, there have been a number of ideas and dreams associated with it. It has now become a reality, with the inauguration of the Centre on October 6, 2001.

Goals and Objectives:

The Centre’s functioning is in the three major areas of instruction, documentation and research, and issues-oriented social work.

Instruction: General and Outreach :

This includes academic courses like Certificate course in Counselling for Caregivers, Certificate Course in Basics on Food and Nutrition, Certificate Course for Social Workers focussing on Women’s Issues. Certificate Course in Women’ Studies.
Non Formal programmes like seminars, discussions groups, film screening, workshops etc.
Outreach / Short Term Certificate Courses like Certificate Course for Health Workers, Certificate Course in Needlecraft, Course in Food craft, Certificate Course in Gardening, Certificate Course in Functional English, Certificate Course in Repair of Home Appliances.
The programmes are open to outsiders and are conveniently timed in the afternoon so that the Sophia College students can participate.

Documentation and Research:

SCWSD has a library which contains printed material (books, magazines, journals) focussing on the theme of women and women’s issues. The Centre has a documentation unit, used extensively by students and researchers on themes like Women’s Health, Domestic Violence, HIV-AIDS etc. Students as well as outsiders can become members of the library and avail of the facilities.
Research Publications on issues related to women are available for sale and reference.

Issues related to Social Work:

The Centre is involved in Outreach activities which improve the lives of underprivileged women and children. An important aspect of this area is networking with other organisations that are involved in issues of gender justice and empowerment of women.
The Centre is also involved in collaborative ventures with the NSS unit of the college. Sophia College students can sign up as volunteers for these Social Work activities.

Target group:

The Centre was initially envisaged as reaching out to rural and urban women. Whilst the main focus of attention is women, the activities and resources of the Centre are available to both women and men who are interested in issues of gender justice and women’s development.
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