Akshara
means an alphabet, a
word, an
expression
Akshara
is a women’s resource centre, which believes in the power
of the word, in the right to information and in its use as
a tool for the transformation of individuals and society.
Akshara
grew out of the contemporary women’s movement in India and
has gender equality and human rights as its primary concerns
in working with young women and men. We have been active in
legal campaigns on violence against women, service and support.
To
actualise our slogan “Women and Youth for Change” we use several
methods like inter-active and experiential workshops, advocacy,
financial support and research. We have the following programs:
The
Empowering Dreams Program uses
a three way strategy: to locate the most deserving young women
in slums and ‘homes’; to enhance their capacities and skills
through financial assistance for education, vocational courses;
and to introduce them to life skills and gender consciousness.
We
visualize reaching out to a larger number of women, organizing
them in groups or co-operatives. .
Information
for Transformation Program emphasises
information with a gender perspective. Its free library has
over 3800 books and journals and newsletter in English and
Marathi along with videos and posters.
The program has developed easy learning strategies
for young women and men opting for women’s studies. On an
average, over 900 users each year visit the library.
Our
mission is to create many different and alternative forms
of communications suited to small and large groups of women,
which can also be used by other grassroots organisations.
The
Youth for Change Program sees
every young person as a new voice, potential leader and change
agent. Through collaboration with the governmental national
social service, it reaches out to a large number of young
persons in 6-12 peripheral colleges, taking them through an
educational, interactive, experiential process moving from
a consciousness of the self to awareness of community issues
and an equal and just society.
It
is our belief that this program can create a series of dynamic
youth groups with new leaders which will take up the challenge
of change, against exploitation and for a better society.
The
Partners for Justice Program is
new and focuses on campaigns at the national and international
levels. It involves the organisation and its members in the
Domestic Violence Bill, the Sexual Harassment of women Bill,
and for new laws on communal violence and others. At the international
levels it contributes to activities within the World Social
Forum and international networks of women’s organisation to
enhance literature on women and participate in international
events.
This
program is a bridge between the local and the global activities
of the women’s movement.
Legal
Status:
Akshara
is a project of FREA which is a non profit registered Trust.
Its registration no.umber is F 1656 (BOM). It has an exemption
from income tax under Section 80 G and a FCRA or Foreign Contribution
Registration Act account number.
Postal
address: Neelambari 501, Road
No. 86, Gokhale Road, Dadar West, Mumbai 400028, India
Phone/email: 91- 22- 24316082
§
email:
aksharacentre@vsnl.com
§
website: www.aksharacentre.org
Contact
Person:
Nandita Gandhi
