Swadhar Institute for Development of Women and Children

Its main activities are:

Programmes for Children –

• Mohor: SIDWC runs a crèche and day-care centre for the children of commercial sex workers. They are provided with a conducive environment for their growth and development, along with basic health care, nutrition, recreation, and education. 
• Rays of Hope: This project was taken up to work with children affected and infected by HIV/AIDS in order to create ‘rays of hope’ in these children’s lives. It supports them by providing medicine, nutrition, foster care, education sponsorship, and counselling.
• Akshardeep: The Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2010 covers free and compulsory education for children between 6-14 years. However, this project focuses on Early Care and Education (aged 0-6 years) which not only enhances the child’s development, but also enables the child to be retained in the formal education system.
• Asha Community Centre: It is a community centre started in Bibwewadi in 2007. Here, the support classes for Akshardeep beneficiaries, the Library, Abhyasika, and Phulora are conducted. Health Camps, counselling, parents meetings are an integral part of the project.

Programmes for Women Empowerment –

• Family Counselling: This is to enable women in distress, suffering from marital discord or abuse, to become aware of their situation and about the alternatives available to them so that they can lead a well-functioning and self-reliant life.
• Girls’ Education & Awareness Generation: SIDWC started education sponsorship for girl students in 2001. Awareness programmes were conducted to educate women on issues like domestic violence, rights, health & hygiene, etc.
• Phulora: This project provides opportunities to adolescent girls and women from low income groups to learn life skills (rangoli, mehendi, embroidery, knitting, etc.), vocational skills (beautician training, tailoring, making paper bags, gift boxes, etc.), develop their personality and become economically independent. Information about banking and saving schemes is also provided.