Archana Women’s Centre is a voluntary organisation that stands for the sustainable development of women under the Kerala wing of Jyothi Jeeva Poorna Trust (JJPT) registered under the Indian Trust Act no.50/94. The Trust is run by the Secular Institute – The Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate. The centre was started under the leadership of Miss Thresiamma Mathew [OMMI] in the year 2004, in Kottayam District of Kerala.
Propelled by its mission, “fullness of life for all”, Archana Women’s Centre (AWC) is dedicated to empowering women through a conscious effort through its interventions. AWC is committed to promote physical, mental, psychological and spiritual empowerment of women through intellectual awareness and devolution of skills. The mission of the organisation is to work towards women’s empowerment, leading to socio economic equality and harmony in occupational vicissitudes.
The key activities of the organisation are as follows:
- Skill Training Programme in non-traditional livelihood skills like masonry, carpentry, and related skills, for women from economically backward situations and enabling them to earn at par with men.
- Motivational and financial support to the trained women’s groups to undertake self-help/ entrepreneurial programmes for generating sustainable livelihoods and earn enhanced incomes.
- Awareness generation and social training to the trained women’s groups and their families on the inherent challenges of taking on non-traditional livelihoods, and attitudinal alterations necessary to usher in a new and non-discriminatory social system that is just and inclusive.
- Women’s rights and gender activities through Community Action groups and entrepreneurial development programmes for women.
- Life skill education for children.
- Natural resource management
- Housing for the poor with Life mission or Panchayats
- Accredited/ empanelled agency by different government departments such as Local Self Government Department (LSGD), Kudumbasree, Kerela State Women Development Corporation, Kerala Sanitation Mission, Haritha Kerala Mission, NABARD etc.