About Cell
The Women Development Cell (WDC) is established in the SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai in the year 2023. It is constituted by the Hon. Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof, Ujwala Chakradeo. The establishment of the WDC is an integral part of educational institutions, organizations, or communities to promote the overall development and empowerment of women. The aim is to set up gender sensitive campus by creating a supportive and inclusive environment that fosters the growth, well-being, and advancement of women in various spheres of life. The university has established the WDC (Women’s Development Centre) to tackle issues related to gender discrimination and to propose strategies and policies promoting gender equality within the university. Following the enactment of the Sexual Harassment Act in 2013 and the implementation of the UGC Guidelines in 2015, the University has established the Campus Internal Committee to handle complaints of sexual harassment. Additionally, University has directed all affiliated/conducted colleges and institutions to form their respective College Internal Committees.
OBJECTIVES
The aim and objective of the WDC is to prevent instances of sexual harassment within the university environment, encompassing both colleges and campuses. Its goal is to enhance the overall well-being of female students and both teaching and non-teaching women staff. The cell also bears the responsibility of conducting awareness programs focused on gender sensitization, women’s rights, and women’s empowerment throughout university campuses and affiliated colleges.
To organize awareness programs addressing about women’s rights, gender equality, and issues affecting women within university campuses and affiliated colleges.
To foster a supportive environment for women employees, including teaching, support staff, and those on contractual or daily wages, as well as for students from diverse backgrounds (rural, urban, specially-abled, underprivileged, marginalized), enabling them to realize their full potential.
To promote awareness among students about the unique needs of all genders.
To establish equal educational opportunities for women, ensuring fairness in access to educational avenues.
To cultivate a gender-sensitive and inclusive campus environment.
To address issues related to gender discrimination by recommending measures and policies that promote gender parity within the University.
To take proactive steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, spanning colleges and university campuses.
To conduct surveys or action research projects as needed, focusing on the experiences of women from various backgrounds (rural, urban, specially-abled, underprivileged, marginalized) in society.
To conduct gender audits and safety audits regularly to maintain a secure and inclusive campus environment.
To create a safe and secure environment for women by implementing measures that prevent and address any form of harassment or discrimination against women.
To empower women by providing them with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
To offer a platform for women to seek guidance, counseling, and support.
To enhance the skills of women through various training programs such as workshops on communication skills, leadership development, entrepreneurship, and other relevant areas that contribute to personal and professional success.
To facilitate networking opportunities for women by connecting them with mentors, professionals, and peers to create avenues for collaboration and career advancement.
To instill positive self-esteem and confidence in the female students so that they can take the right decision in and for-their lives.
To prevent sexual harassment and to promote general well-being of female students, teaching and non teaching women staff.
To provide guidelines for the redressal of grievances related to sexual Harassment of female students, teaching and non teaching staff of the university and affiliated colleges/institutions.
To assert the importance of spiritual, economic, social, racial and gender equality.
To directs Women’s role in the society. To develop multidisciplinary approach for the overall personality development.
To resolve the grievances addressed by the Internal Complaints Committee related to women at work
To encourage the participation of NGOs working in the area of women’s development in the activities of the Cell.
To constitute one or more Committees for implementation of women’s policy in general and for dealing with cases/ complaints of any kind.
| Sr. | Name of the Committee Member | Designation | Campus | Role/Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Prof. Ujwala Chakradeo | Vice Chancellor | Churchgate | Advisory |
| 2. | Prof. Ruby Ojha | Pro-Vice chancellor | Churchgate | Advisory |
| 3. | Prof. Vilas Nandavadekar | Registrar | Churchgate | Advisory |
| 4. | Prof. Pratima Tatke | Director, WDC | Juhu | |
| 5. | Dr. Medha Tapiawala | Dean, Faculty of Humanities | Churchgate | |
| Legal Cell | ||||
| 1. | Adv. Rajesh Wankhede | Legal advisor | Juhu | Legal Cell |
| 2. | Adv. Disha Vardhan | Legal advisor | Churchgate | Legal Cell |
| 3. | Prof. Virendra Nagrale | Legal advisor | Pune | Legal Cell |
| Counselling Centre | ||||
| 1. | Dr. Putul Sathe | Faculty-RCWS | Juhu | Counselling centre |
| 2. | Prof. Nilesh Thakare | HOD, Psychology Dept | Churchgate | Counselling centre |
| 3. | Dr. Sandip Bhaise | Faculty, Psychology Dept | Pune | Counselling centre |
| Health Check-ups | ||||
| 1. | Dr. Nancy Fernandes | Principal, L. T. College of Nursing | Churchgate | Health Check-up and Medical Camp |
| 2. | Dr. Sheetal More | Professor, Music Dept. | Pune | Health Check-up and Medical Camp |
| 3. | Kavita Shiktode | In Charge HOD, DMLT, P V Polytechnic | Juhu | Health Check-up and Medical Camp |
| Skill Development Centre | ||||
| 1. | Dr. Prabhakar Chavan | Director of Lifelong Learning And Extension | Churchgate | Activities for skill development |
| 2. | Dr. Bhaskar Igawe | Faculty, Sub-Centre for Lifelong Learning | Pune | Activities for skill development |
| 3. | Kavita Shiktode | In Charge HOD, DMLT, PV Polytechnic | Juhu | Activities for skill development |
National Commission for Women sponsored one day state level seminar on Women, Health and Beyond
Title of the activity: National Commission for Women sponsored one day state level seminar on Women, Health and Beyond
Purpose of the activity: In this age of globalization, with the rise in the number of girls opting for higher studies and working women, new health problems are surfacing. The proposed seminar precisely intends to contribute to the understanding of a wide span of concerns particularly focusing on various aspects of women’s health in different age groups. The seminar proposed to look into topics pertaining to
Mental health of female students and working women
Awareness about female health issues like breast cancer, PCOD, cervical cancer etc.
Women empowerment and betterment of women’s health through use of innovative technologies.
Research in unmet areas for women health and well being
Yoga for long term health of women.
For whom it is proposed: This seminar was intended for all the UG, PG and PhD female students and faculty members from any educational background
Mode: Offline
Duration: One day
Date and venue: 13th December 2023, at J.H. Mini Auditorium, S.N.D.T. Women’s University, Sir Vithaldas Vidyavihar, Juhu Campus, Santacruz (W), Mumbai – 400049
Financial requirement: Grant sanctioned from National Commission for Women vide F. No. 16-1602/33/2023-PMR cell dated 17th August 2023.
Infrastructural requirement: Mini Auditorium and Facilities for live broadcast
Outcome of the activity: The seminar included talks from eminent speakers including Dr. Vandana Patravale (Professor, ICT), Dr. Anuradha Sovani (Ex-HOD, Dept. of Psychology, SNDTWU), Dr. Nancy Fernandes (Principal (In-Charge), L. T. College of Nursing, SNDTWU), Dr. Sarika Tendulkar (Renowned gynecologist), Dr. Supriya Hyam (Founder, Urjayu Wellness centre) and Mrs. Mohini Gawali (Founder, Blissful Yoga Centre).
All the speakers touched upon important topics of women, women health, common diseases affecting women, time management for working women, stress experienced by women at working places and techniques to combat them, application of Ayurveda and Yoga for lifestyle modifications. All the sessions were interactive and appreciated by audience.
