Genesis
In early 1970’s, a few scientists got together and started thinking that it was not enough to work sincerely sitting in a laboratory, doing experiments, publishing work and living in an ivory tower. There was a major need to take Science to Society using Science and Technology for the up liftment of the “not so privileged” class of society and for women. In 1972, twelve founder members representing a wide spectrum of scientific disciplines and associated with different scientific institutions came together and registered Indian Women Scientists’ Association (IWSA) on 13th June, 1973 under the Society Registration Act and the Public Trust Act on 19th July, 1973.
IWSA is an All India social welfare, voluntary, non-profit, secular, non-political organization. It has twelve branches namely, Roorkee (1979), Hyderabad (1979), Pune (1980), Kolhapur (1982), Nagpur (1982), Delhi (1987), Kalpakkam (1987), Vadodara (1988), Amravati (2010), Bengaluru (2018), Nellore (2018) and Ajmer (2024). IWSA has about 2000 life members; its head quarters is located in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.
IWSA’s Membership is open to all women with a background in S&T and Associate Membership is open for those interested in science and with a scientific temper.
Objectives
- Take science to masses
- Develop scientific temper in society
- Promote scientific accomplishments among women scientists
- Understand the problems of women in sciences and provide solutions for women empowerment
- Be a representative body of women in S&T
Activities of IWSA at a glance:
| Science Programs | Community Programs |
|---|---|
| Science Nurture program | Working women’s hostel |
| Popular science lecture series (with BRNS support) | Day care centre |
| Science Refresher courses/ Lecture workshops/ Research projects | Nursery school |
| Green Initiatives of IWSA | Community health care centre |
| Conferences/seminars | Library/reading room |
| VIPNET | Computer Centre |
| Scholarships and awards | |
| Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education |
Milestones:
| 1973 | Registration of IWSA on 13th June, 1973 under the Society Registration Act and the Public Trust Act on 19th July, 1973. | |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | With the aim of bringing science to people, IWSA started “Science for Citizen” Library [SICILY]. | |
| 1979 | Establishment of Roorkee Branch of IWSA. | |
| 1979 | Establishment of Hyderabad Branch of IWSA. | |
| 1980 | Establishment of Pune Branch of IWSA. | |
| 1982 | Establishment of Nagpur Branch of IWSA. | |
| 1982 | Establishment of Kolhapur Branch of IWSA. | |
| 1986 | Foundation stone ceremony of the hostel and other activities was held on 12th April, 1986, at the hands of well known social worker, late Padmashree Ms. Anutai Wagh. | |
| 1987 | IWSA’s building complex includes a Hostel, Day Care Centre, Nursery School, Community Health Care Centre, Library, Science Laboratory, IWSA office and a Committee Room. These were completed in Sept. 1987. | |
| 1987 | A Science laboratory was started in 1987. The laboratory was renamed as IWSA’s Dr. Sumati Bhide and Mr. Vasudeo Bhide Science Laboratory in 27 th November, 1999 with funds from the Bhide family. | |
| 1987 | Establishment of Delhi Branch of IWSA. | |
| 1987 | Establishment of Kalpakkam Branch of IWSA. | |
| 1988 | Establishment of Baroda Branch of IWSA. | |
| 1989 | Naming ceremony of the IWSA Hostel as “Jitendra Mafatlal Mehta” Working Women’s Hostel was performed on 9th January 1989, by late Rev. Mother Teresa and late Shri Nana Chudasama, the then Sheriff of Bombay | |
| 1989 | With the aim of taking science to people, IWSA started “Science for Citizen” Library in 1974 at Matunga, Mumbai. This continued till 1980. In 1989 a new library was set up with generous financial support from Pirojsha Godrej Foundation and renamed IWSA’s Pirojsha Godrej Foundation Science Library . | |
| 1991 | IWSA’s G. M. Abhyankar Day Care Centre was started in 12 th January, 1991. | |
| 1991 | Computer Training Centre was started in October 1991 and renamed as IWSA’ Satish Haware Computer Education Centre in 7 th May 2008. | |
| 1994 | IWSA’s Murli Laj Chugani Health Care Centre was started on 12 th February 1994. | |
| 1995 | Training of Teachers (TOT): Pre-primary non-formal method of teaching programme was started in January 1995. | |
| 1998 | IWSA’s new Shree Mahalakshmi Temple Charities Working Women’s Hostel Wing was added in 13 th June 1998. | |
| 1998 | IWSA’S Multipurpose Hall, for carrying out its multiple activities, was completed on 13 th June 1998 with the financial support from ICICI Bank | |
| 1999 | IWSA’s Mrs. Indirabai Padhye Nursery School for tiny tots was started on 28 th August 1999. | |
| 1999 | IWSA’s Solar water heater system for the hostel was started | |
| 1999 | IWSA’s Garden was initiated. | |
| 2001 | The Directorate of libraries–Maharahstra State, Belapur, Navi Mumbai, selected IWSA’s Pirojsha Godrej Foundation Science library as a public library for partial state grant-in-aid funding support. | |
| 2004 | IWSA’s Rainwater Harvesting system was constructed | |
| 2010 | Establishment of Amravati Branch of IWSA. | |
| 2013 | IWSA’s Nisargruna Biogas plant was built. | |
| 2015 | Composting of garden waste was started. | |
| 2015 | Incinerators for sanitary napkins were installed in the Hostel. | |
| 2017 | To reduce carbon footprints, a 21.75 kwph solar water heating system "Tejomayee" was installed on the IWSA’s Working Wonen’s Hostel building. | |
| 2018 | IWSA’s Learning Garden was inaugurated on Environment day. | |
| 2018 | Establishment of Bengaluru Branch of IWSA. | |
| 2018 | Establishment of Nellore Branch of IWSA. | |
| 2021 | Grid connected Solar PV system of 47 kwph, Tejomayee 2 installed to meet electricity requirements at campus for self- sufficiency. | |
| 2023 | IWSA celebrates Golden Jubilee Anniversary of its establishment. | |
| 2024 | Establishment of Ajmer Branch of IWSA. |
Green Initiatives of IWSA
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1999 | IWSA’s Solar water heater system for the hostel was started. |
| 1999 | IWSA’s Garden was initiated. |
| 2004 | IWSA’s Rainwater Harvesting system was constructed. |
| 2013 | IWSA’s Nisargruna Biogas plant was built. |
| 2015 | Composting of garden waste was started. |
| 2015 | Incinerators for sanitary napkins were installed in the Hostel. |
| 2017 | A 21.5 Kwp solar electricity generating system "Tejomayee1" was commissioned. |
| 2018 | IWSA’s Learning Garden was inaugurated on Environment day. |
| 2021 | A 26 Kwp solar electricity generating system "Tejomayee2" was commissioned. |
Friends of IWSA:
Several eminent male scientists and technologists give support to our cause and objectives. These experts are designated as ‘Friends of IWSA’.
Donations:
IWSA accepts donations for all its activities and infrastructure development and maintenance. Donations are exempted under 80G (under section 12A of the Income tax Act, 1961).
Donations can be made in cash/ cheque /bank transfer. For bank details please contact iwsahq@gmail.com.
Cheque should be payable to “Indian Women Scientists’ Association”.
Volunteers:
IWSA needs volunteers for its various science-based and community activities.
You can:
- Participate in a program as per your expertise for science nurture /workshop/refresher courses.
- Give a lecture in popular science lecture series program.
- Help in administration.
- Create some activity for day care and nursery school toddlers.
- Help in execution of any planned programme or activity of IWSA.
Write to the President at iwsahq@gmail.com if you wish to volunteer.
