All Bengal Women’s Union (ABWU) is a non profit organization, founded in the year 1933. Today, more than eight decades later, ABWU has evolved into a far reaching women’s rights organization, providing shelter to disadvantaged women and children, and support, guidance and infrastructure to their struggle for basic rights. The inception of the organization can be traced back to the agitation by a group of determined women in Kolkata, whose campaign for the legislation against traffic of women and children played a major role in the passing of the Bengal Suppression of Immoral Traffic Act (1933). The same year, ABWU opened its first shelter home in Dumdum, Kolkata, where three young women, who had been victims of exploitation, were provided with shelter support and direction to start new lives. ABWU expanded its wings over the years to shelter more and more distressed and disadvantaged women and children who had been abused, trafficked, abandoned and displaced because of natural or man-made calamities and political exigencies
Further they have provided legal assistance, in instances when required, to support the fight for rights of this marginalized population. To make the teen agers and women of the ‘home’ self reliant and women regain their self respect various activities and vocational training were initiated, at different stages. The main aim behind this was to make them financially independent and help them regain the self-respect that is often lost as a result of abuse and marginalization. In recognition of ABWU’s dedicated work for the cause of women and children, the Government of West Bengal has allotted rent free accommodation to them at 89, Elliot Road, Kolkata. The additional space helped in expanding the organization further in order to increase the reach of their impact. As aresult, women and children could be housed separately within the premises.
1) Children’s Welfare Home along with a Primary school and a Crèche for infant care.
2) After Care Home for girls above the age of 18. The women in the After Care Home are being equipped with vocational training.
3) Home, under Swadhar scheme, for trafficked/abused women.
4) Old Age Home: The women in old age home are not only provided shelter, nutrition and medicine but are also ensured emotional support.
1) In-house vocational training and production centers for weaving, block printing and fine needle work.
2) Suruchi ( SELF HELP GROUP): A popular restaurant known for its traditional Bengali cuisine. Some of the girls from adult home work here after training as chefs and managers.
3) ABWU show room: where all the home products are displayed and sold.
AFFILIATION & LOCUS STANDI READ….
| LOCUS STANDI | AFFILIATION |
|---|---|
| Registered under West Bengal Societies Registration Act, 1860 | International Abolitionist Federation, Geneva |
| Registered with Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India under Foreign Contribution Registration Act of 1976. | Association for Social Health |
| Registered u/s 80G & 12A of Income Tax Exemption Act of 1961 | Women’s Co-ordinating Council |
| Licence under Women & Children’s Home, West Bengal Women & Children Institution (Licensing) Rules, 1958. | Accredited by State Legal Aid Services |
| Swadhar Project (Shakti Sadan) run by Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt of India. | |
| Old Age Women’s Home under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India | |
| Children’s Home and After Care Home under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2000 & 2015, Govt. of West Bengal | |
| Cottage Scheme under Govt. of West Bengal |
Our Chief Patron
His Excellency Governor of West Bengal
OUR SPONSORS
Following are our donors and sponsors. Other than financial support these organizations help bring expertise and perspective to the table
Partners’ in Aid: partnersinaid.org.au
Save a Child (USA) and (UK): www.saveachildindia.com
INCH: www.charitychoice.co.uk/inch-foundation
L&T, SBI, Inner Wheel Clubs of District 329, P.C Chandra Jewellers Pvt Ltd