The Centre for Women's Studies (CWS), was instituted at Lady Doak College in 1989, and is
currently supported by the University Grants Commission (UGC), from 2005 onwards. The
Centre was established to initiate, promote and coordinate teaching, training, research and
field action programmes in Women's Studies. Since its inception, the Centre contributes to
gender just education and the advancement of Women's Studies across the disciplines of both
the humanities and sciences at Lady Doak College.
The Centre initially offered Women's Studies as an interest course. In 1994, the Foundation
Course on Women's Studies was made mandatory for all undergraduate students. The course
is offered to students in interdisciplinary batches from both the Sciences and Humanities,
enabling them to learn from diverse perspectives and facilitating lateral thinking and action
skills. The course provides opportunities for students to discover themselves, understand their
personal strengths, gender, environment and potential, while acknowledging the experiences
of discriminatory gender identities and roles. Classrooms become spaces for reflective and
critical inquiry on the social norms, structures and practices that perpetuate inequality,
thereby building students' resilience and maximising their participation. A team of 25 faculty
members from the sciences and humanities teach the Foundation Course on Women's
Studies.
The Centre received approval from the University Grants Commission in 2005 under the
Scheme for the Development of Women's Studies in Colleges and Universities, and continues
to be supported by the UGC Women's Studies section. In 2010, the Centre was upgraded to
Phase II by the UGC in recognition of its academic programmes, research and extension
activities.
From 2005, postgraduate elective courses on Women's Studies were introduced. Postgraduate
students are offered elective courses on gender, development, health and on laws relating to
women. The Centre also offers skill-based training in selected sectors, including media and
communication, integrating entrepreneurial competencies, and hands-on training. At present,
the Centre offers two postgraduate elective courses, four National Skills Qualification
Framework based courses and one Value-Added Course on media and broadcasting.
In 2013, CWS played a central role to establish the Internal Complaints Committee at the
Lady Doak College to address sexual harassment at the workplace and to ensure a safe
environment for students and employees.
In 2015, the Centre established a Free Legal Aid Cell on campus in collaboration with the
District Legal Services Authority. Through this initiative, free legal support is made
accessible to students, faculty and staff members. A Legal Clerk visits the campus every
Tuesday and Thursday, while a lawyer appointed by the DLSA visits every Thursday to
provide legal guidance and counselling. The legal supports programme addresses harassment
and other legal issues faced by students, faculty and staff through appropriate legal channels,
including the Police, DLSA and the One Stop Centre of Madurai District.
The Centre is committed to preventing and addressing violence against women through
awareness programmes and institutional collaboration. Every year, it observes the global 16
Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign and conducts programmes to
sensitise students on issues relating to gender-based violence.
The student forum Uliyin Oli – Gender Champions Club was initiated as a platform in 2014,
to bring students together to express their views, share experiences and engage in gender just
initiatives within and outside the campus. The forum promotes dialogue, leadership and
mutual support among students. Uliyin Oli also engages with men students from other higher
education institutions in Madurai district through constructive dialogues on attaining gender
equality.
Research forms an integral part of the Centre's academic activities. Undergraduate students
undertake evidence-based on-the-spot studies and community-based research during their
fourth and fifth semesters on issues relating to women in agriculture, public sanitation and
various sectors of the informal economy. The Centre also provides opportunities for students
to communicate gender concerns through documentary filmmaking, art workshops and
creative writing. These initiatives encourage students to use different forms of expression for
education, advocacy and social awareness.
The Centre complements other support initiatives of Lady Doak College to enable students,
faculty and staff members to strive towards an equitable balance of power, sharing of
responsibilities and resources, and mutual respect between women and men. Recognising that
many young women continue to face challenges in making decisions relating to education,
profession, marriage and vocational development, while also bearing caregiving
responsibilities and experiencing violence within and outside their homes, the Centre adopts a
sustained and multi-pronged approach to address these realities through education, awareness
and institutional support.
The Centre for Women's Studies actively collaborates with government departments, non-
governmental organizations, and higher education institutions to strengthen its research,
outreach, and community engagement initiatives. Our key partners include the District
Administration, the Assistant Director (Panchayats), Block Development Offices (BDO), the
Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihood Mission (TNSRLM), and the District Legal Aid Services
Authority (DLSA). We also work closely with leading non-governmental organizations such
as Evidence and EKTA to promote gender justice, legal awareness, and community
empowerment. In the academic sphere, we collaborate with institutions including The
American College, Madura College, Government Law College, Mannar Thirumalai Naicker
College, and Thiagarajar College of Arts and Science to foster interdisciplinary learning,
research, and capacity-building initiatives.
Dr. R. Beulah Jeyashree
Director
Centre for Women's Studies