In 1987, SAKHYA, Anti-dowry and Women's Guidance Cell was started by the College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan, Mumbai, at the request of and in collaboration with the District Vigilance Commission, Government of Maharashtra. From 1985 to 2003 it continued to be run as a field action project of Nirmala Niketan run by the Religious Congregation of the Daughters of the Heart of Mary. From 2004 it became an independent entity under the aegis of Nirmala Institute. From 1987 the focus of Sakhya was addressing dowry related harassment and working on the issue of domestic violence. Besides this, Sakhya has been offering services in the form of counseling, legal aid, providing shelter to women in distress, conducting awareness programs on gender issues, educational programs to youth on family life, HIV/AIDS, value education, gender sensitization in schools, colleges, institutions and low-income group communities.
Who We Are
In Retrospect - Then
In Present - Now
The major focus of Sakhya Women's Guidance Cell is to promote gender equality and gender justice through the process of concretization called women's empowerment. Sakhya believes that an integrated approach of women's empowerment is vital to sustainable development and the realization of human rights for all. Sakhya makes efforts to identifying and redressing power imbalances and giving women more autonomy to manage their own lives. Promoting gender equality through the process of awareness and sensitization and giving women more autonomy to manage their own lives.
