Reports From Around The World: Asia And Pacific - factory workers in Sri Lanka - malnutrition in India - women and public policy in Japan - Statistical Data Included

WIN News, Summer, 2001

"AALOCHANA, a non-profit research and documentation centre on women, was established in 1989 by five feminist activists. The urgent and growing need of the women's movement and feminist scholars for information and documentation into all aspects of women's lives provided the impetus for setting up the centre.

The aim of the centre is to systematically contribute to the process of documentation, research and dissemination with emphasis on Maharashtra. Hence the name Aalochana which means critical review in Marathi. Over the years the centre has evolved and is today considered a major women's resource centre in and around Pune.

The centre, accessible to both women and men, is known for its cooperative and friendly atmosphere. It provides space for meeting, reading, sharing experiences and ideas, discussing work and more

OBJECTIVES

* To systematically collect and provide information on issues related to the social, political, economic, legall and personal aspects of women's lives.

* To document and research the different facets and situations of women's lives and disseminate the results of our research and documentation through pamphlets, booklets, slides, audio and video cassettes, films, lectures, seminars and posters.

* To provide a congenial forum where activists, researchers, students, journalists and others interested in women's issues can meet and discuss matters of common concern.

* To undertake translation work from English and other regional languages to Marathi and vice versa and network with women's groups, libraries and like minded documentation and research centres at the regional, national and international levels.

INDIA

RESOURCES

Our library has been built over the years by contributions from various individuals, as well as support from donors. We have a collection of more than 2350 books (both English and Marathi). Besides we have 2000 reports, journals, magazines and newsletters. We also have a collection of research papers.

Audio-Visual Library

Our centre has a video library with 70 video films on various topics like health, law, politics and profiles of women. These films can be borrowed by paying a deposit and a daily charge. We also have a small collection of audio tapes comprising songs as well as lectures and discussions held in Aalochana.

Newsclippings

Newsclippings in English and Marathi topics related to women are compiled from 10 national, regional and local dailies and magazines.

Photographs and Posters

Over the years we have put together a small collection of photographs on various women's issues. We also have a vast compilation of newspaper photographs on women's issues and Posters

ACTIVITIES

Research: Aalochana undertook the study of the All Women Panchayats in Maharashtra later published as the book: 'And Who Will Make Chapatis' edited by Bishakha Dutt. A multi media resource kit comprising 5 booklets, a slide show and posters on Women and Panchayat Raj was produced in 1999.

Workshops and Lectures

Workshops, training programmes and seminars on women's issues are conducted regularly. Some important workshops have been on Sexuality, Fertility Awareness, Dalit Women's Identity and Women and Mental Health . We have organized lectures over the years on Post Modernism and Feminism, Women and Population Control and the Impact of Globalization. We also screen films and invite filmmakers for a dialogue with the audience.