The Mumbai Branch, All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) is focused on improving the welfare of the underprivileged women and children across the city of Mumbai, in terms of Health, Education, Vocation and self reliance. To achieve this objective the AIWC has launched multiple Project and activities. The Mumbai Branch, in particular, has undertaken significant projects in the field of Education. The Education Committee (Project), Mumbai Branch, AIWC has been keenly involved in welfare of the underprivileged women and children of Asia’s largest slums at Dharavi since 1990.

The Office-bearers are:
Chairperson: Smt. Shakuntala Parekhji
Vice Chairperson: Dr. Niranjana Shah
Hon. Secretary: Smt. Saroj Barasara
Hon. Jt. Secretary: Smt. Pushpa Sarda
Hon. Treasurer: Smt. Sandhya Vora
Trustees: Smt. Chhaya Dahanukar
                Smt. Shalini Meher
                Smt. Rashmi Desai
Advisor: Smt. Vanita Shah

We have two Centres at Dharavi.

1. Panchsheel Centre:
(i) We run a Balwadi (Nursery Class) where we have about 30 children attending regularly. A tuition class is conducted with very nominal fees for children from class I to class X. We assist needy students by providing Educational accessories. We award deserving and needy students and support their education.  Scholarships are   given to students securing 60% and above in their Annual examinations.
(ii) We have a Vanita Mandal for the women of Dharavi. We give them vocational training by which they can be economically independent. A Tailoring Class, Embroidery, Mehendi and Beautician Courses are conducted. Certificate with grades are given according to their performance.

• Pragati Centre:

We run a Creche where 50 children of parents working as Domestic Help. They leave their children in our Creche at 9.30 am. and take them home at 5 pm. The children are taken care of by our kind and loving staff. They are served midday meals for which we get assistance from AIWC, New Delhi.

We are concerned with the health of children and women in this area, our Mumbai branch is keenly associated with several Health initiatives that our Education Committee (Project) supports whole-heartedly. This include Medical Camps, Eye Camp, Cancer detection Camps, Bone Density Camps and Power Point Presentation by highly qualified Dietician. This is followed up with free treatment. The P.S.M. Department of Sion Hospital, the biggest hospital in the vicinity supports these initiatives.

Apart from this we have introduced a Group Insurance Policy and we have about 80 members. We conduct various Awareness Programs. We celebrate all festivals.
We have a Special Project for the senior citizens of this area known as the Awabai Wadia Project where we have 25 senior women. The inauguration program started with health awareness, health camp, temple visits and  knowledge of emergency helplines. Women’s Day was celebrated well with talks and a recipe contest.

During the Summer Vacation we organize Summer Camps for children where we teach them Drawing, colouring, Art and Craft, indoor games and quiz. On the last day of the camp, we arrange some Music & Dance program. Prizes are given to deserving children.

We are very happy to have put a foot forward in catering to the people of this slums where many may dread to go.