Vision

---

SWAR envisions the creation of gender-sensitive public policies through ongoing dialogue and collaboration with a diverse range of stakeholders, including women’s organizations, community groups, and policymakers. Our goal is to foster inclusive and equitable policy environments that address gender disparities and support the empowerment of women across all sectors of society.

Mission/Objectives

---

• Strengthen collaborations among various women’s organizations to advance the agenda of women’s empowerment effectively.
• Promote entrepreneurial skills and professional development to enable women to become self-reliant and active contributors to public welfare.
• Champion gender equality and justice to create a fair and inclusive society.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with governmental bodies to advocate for and implement women-sensitive policies in workplaces, public spaces, and households.
• Create opportunities and support systems that enable women to participate actively in public life.
• Share and celebrate the achievements of empowered women to inspire and motivate society towards greater commitment to women’s empowerment.
• Work in coordination with relevant stakeholders to improve the lives of marginalized and impoverished communities, driving significant and positive changes.
• Contribute to the development of gender-fair societies where members engage in discussions and debates on issues of common interest.
• Establish an environment that supports the empowerment of women and promotes sensitivity among men.
• Extend efforts to reach the most marginalized women at the bottom of the socio-economic pyramid, ensuring they benefit from empowerment initiatives.

Achievements

---

Workshops and Seminars:

Gender Equality: Conducted workshops and seminars addressing critical issues such as gender equality, marital rape, and the marriageable age for girls, raising awareness and fostering dialogue on these important topics.

Celebration of Success Stories:

Champions of Change: Recognized and celebrated the achievements of strong women who have overcome significant challenges to improve their status and roles within their families and communities.

Participation in Seminars:

Gender-Sensitive Smart Cities: Engaged in a seminar focused on creating gender-sensitive smart cities, contributing to discussions on integrating gender perspectives into urban planning and development.

Government Engagement:

Meeting with the Governor: A joint delegation from SWAR and Bhartiya Stree Shakti met with the Honorable Governor of Odisha to discuss and address issues related to women’s empowerment in the state.

Skill Development Programs:

Training Sessions: Organized skill development training programs in three districts, equipping participants with valuable skills for personal and professional growth.

Entrepreneurship Development Programme:

Conducted an Entrepreneurship Development Program to support aspiring entrepreneurs, providing them with the tools and resources needed to succeed.

Awards and Recognition:

SWABALAMBI MAHILA – SHASAKTA BHARAT: Awarded 20 entrepreneurs under the flagship program, recognizing their achievements and contributions to women’s empowerment and economic development.

Key Initiatives and Programs:

Adolescence Health Awareness: Organized awareness programs focusing on adolescence health issues, particularly sensitizing girls about menstrual cycle practices. These programs aim to provide quality information on nutrition, health, and hygiene practices, empowering young girls with essential knowledge.

Environmental Awareness: Addressing environmental concerns, SWAR actively engages community members in tree protection efforts and plantation drives to promote environmental sustainability.

Media Advocacy: Facilitated the coverage of a health crisis faced by a low-income woman through a leading media house. This intervention successfully garnered public support and funds for her treatment, demonstrating the impactful role of media in advocacy.

Comprehensive Awareness Programs: Conducted awareness programs for children, men, and women on critical issues such as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO), Sexual Harassment at Workplace (SHAW), cyber crimes, women’s rights, and gender sensitization. These programs aim to educate and foster a safer, more informed community.

Additional Initiatives:

Blood Donation Camp: Organized a blood donation camp to address the critical shortage of blood during the COVID-19 shutdowns, ensuring that hospitals had the necessary supplies to meet urgent medical needs.

Sanitizer and Mask Distribution: Distributed sanitizers and masks to ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) and Anganwadi workers during the early phase of COVID-19, addressing the shortage of essential protective equipment for these crucial frontline workers.

Dental Checkup Camps: Organized dental checkup camps to provide dental care and raise awareness about oral health among community members.

Economic Empowerment Initiatives: To promote economic self-reliance among underprivileged women, SWAR has implemented various training and capacity-building programs including Mehendi Designing Training, Stitching Training, and Handicrafts Training.

Community Development Surveys: Conducted comprehensive surveys to evaluate the effectiveness of government schemes and their impact on community members.

Collaboration with Bharatiya Stree Shakti (BSS): In partnership with BSS, SWAR conducted an evaluation survey for the National Commission of Women (NCW) focusing on assessing the implementation of policies designed to empower women at the grassroots level.