• Name : Dr. A.Pallavi
  • Designation : Honorary Director
  • Email : aucwomenstudies@gmail.com
PROFILE

Inception of Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh Centre for Women’s Studies:

The Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh Centre for Women’s Studies was established in Andhra University on 27th May, 1987 in accordance with the guidelines of the UGC to establish such Centres in Universities and colleges. The Centre was christened as Dr.Durgabai Deshmukh Centre for Women’s Studies on 9th March, 2007

The primary role of the Centre is

  • Knowledge production, Knowledge assimilation and Knowledge transmission

Since its inception, the Centre’s activities have been in line with the following major thrust areas:

  • Teaching and Training
  • Research and Action Research
  • Field Action
  • Net working and mentoring
  • Extension services
  • Advocacy
  • Cluster and Nodal activities
  • Documentation and Dissemination
On these thrust areas Centre for Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh Women’s Studies has framed specific objectives to be worked out.

Specific Objectives of the Centre
  • To sensitize students and administrative staff on gender issues
  • To promote awareness in the community about gender discrimination and its impact on women.
  • To study the impact of the changing economy and polity on gender relations.
  • To conduct research and action programs on issues pertaining to women’s lives and gender relations.
  • The nurture and mentor the young Centres / Cells in Universities and Colleges.
  • To network with stakeholders such as NGOs, other civil society representatives to promote women’s equal participation in social, economic and political processes.
  • To impart computer skills in order to enhance future women’s leadership.
  • To work as Resource Centre on Women in the State of Andhra Pradesh

Landmark Events of the Centre:

  • Hosted IV National Conference of Indian Association for Women’s Studies (IAWS), 1989
  • Conducted a Nationwide Research Project on Girl Child and the Family collaborated work by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi in 1991.
  • Participated and actively involved in Anti – Arrack Movement in 1992 – 93 and first time recorded the movement and published a book ‘The Women Rouse: An overview of Anti- Liquor movement and Aftermath’, Andhra University, Press and Publications, series no. 216, 1997
  • Initiated Counselling Centre for Women at the Centre premises in 2005.
  • MoU with Millennium Software Solutions to impart computer skills and enhance women future  leadership in 2007.
  • Full time Post Graduation Course in Women’s Studies has been initiated in 2008 -09 academic year.
  • The Centre has been attained III Phase status in XI Plan period (2007 – 2012).
  • Celebrated Centenary Birthday of Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh in 2010.
  • Organized International Conference on Gender Mainstreaming: Issues and Strategies for Empowerment in 2014.
  • Partnership Meeting with UNICEF Team in 2015 on Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (SABLA Programme).
  • The Director Prof. B. Ratna Kumari was nominated as the Chair Person, District Level Local Complaint Committee, Against to Sexual Harassment at Work Place, Visakhapatnam District for the period of 1915-18.
  • Organised Regional Symposium on “Globalization-Cross Cultural Practices- An Experiential View’ in 2017.
  • Organized Regional Round Table Conference on ‘Shatter the Silence , Stop the Violence’ in 2019
  • Organized Awareness programme on ‘Child Abuse and Trafficking Issues’ in 2019
  • Organised Health Awareness Programme for Women’s Students in AULG in 2019
  • Jointly Organized Round Table Conference on “Shatter the Silence, Stop the violence” along with NGO Mahila Action , Action aid, Gramaswaraj Samithi in 2019.
  • The Director Dr.P.Usha was nominated as the Chair Person, District Level Local Complaint Committee, Against to Sexual Harassment at Work Place, Visakhapatnam District for the period of 2020-23.
  • Jointly organized “POWER WALK” in collaboration with AP Women’s Commission and Women and Child Development and NGOs in 2020
  • Organized One day Workshop on ‘I am Generation Equality’ in 2020
  • Organized One day National Webinar on ‘Crimes against Women; Rape and Brutal Killing-Legal Perspective’ in association with AP Women’s Commission in 2020.
  • Organized Digital Symposium on ‘Human Trafficking Preventive measures’ in association with AP Women’s Commission & International Justice Mission in 2020.
  • Organised National Webinar on ‘Cyber Crimes: Issues and Challenges to women’ in association with AP Women’s Commission in 2021.
  • Organized Regional Training Workshop on ‘Mechanisms to Curb Human Trafficking’ in 2021
  • Organised Regional Conference on ‘Women Leadership during Pandemic Covid-19’ in 2021 in association with AP Women’s Commission and AIWA and MittiKe Rang
  • Organised One day Training Workshop on ‘Sexual Harassment of Womenat Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal ) Act 2013 in association with Red Rope Organisation,, Vizag NGO Forum and Swanthan Seva Samithi in 2021.
  • Organised One day ICC Training Workshop on ‘Sexual Harassmentof Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal) Act 2013 in association with AP Women’s Commission in collaboration with National Commission for Women in 2021.
  • Organized National Webinar on ‘Safety &Digital Welbeing of Women’ in association with AP Women’s Commission and Cyber Peace Foundation in collaboration with National Commission for women in 2021
  • Organised One Day Training Workshop to ICC members on “Sexual Harassment of Women at Work Place (Prevention, Prohibition &Redressal ) Act 2013 in association with AP Women’s Commission in collaboration with National Commission for Women in 2021
  • Jointly organized awareness programme on “Women Rights” along with Visakha Govt. Degree College for Women NGOs Swanthana and Red Rope Organizations 2021.
  • Organised an Awareness Programme on “Women Safety and Empowerment and Government Initiatives” Government Degree College , Paderu in the agency area of Visakhapatnam District” in 2021
  • Organized Training Workshop on ‘Sexual Harassment of Women at Work place (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal Act)2013’ in association with NGO Swanthan Seva Samithi in 2021
  • Organised Training Workshop on ‘Human Trafficking and Preventive Measures’ in association with Red Rope Organisation, Vizag NGO Forum and Swanthan Seva Samithi 2021.
  • Jointly organized Regional Seminar on ‘Women Empowerment-Change is awaited; and Interactive session along with AP Women’s Commission and Azad Abdulkalam Trust in 2022.
  • Organised an Awareness Programme on “Women Safety and Empowerment and Government Initiatives” Government Degree College , Araku Valley in the agency area of Visakhapatnam District” in 2022
  • Organized Regional Seminar on ‘Gender equality today for sustainable tomorrow’ along with Anti-Human Trafficking Club in 2022.
  • Organised Essay Writing and drawing competitions on ‘Violence Against Women’ in association with AP Women’s Commission in 2022.
  • Coordinated the launching of AU Campus Cops in regional seminar on ‘SABALA Empowering Women of Andhra Pradesh’ organised by AP Women’s Commission in 2022
  • Organised regional Training Workshop on ‘Enhancing skills and leadership among young women’ in 2022
  • Organized an Interactive Session on “ Capacity Building for Women Empowerment” on the Occasion of Dr.Durgabai Deshmukh 114th Birthday Celebrations in 2023