In 1896, Dhondo Keshav Karve (1858-1962) founded an ashram for widows and helpless women. He recognised the need for education, which would subsequently lead to independence, self-reliance and self-confidence. From this realisation, a school programme for girls and women was born. The system developed into a regular school despite social and economic difficulties - traditionally conservative attitudes towards the role of women. There are models of the women's university in Tokyo, for example (Women's University). In 1915, Karve prepared an announcement to the National Reform Congress in Bombay. On 2 July 1916, the college opened with 5 women students. Government approval was pending at that time. In 1920, the Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women's University was named. The naming (Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women's University) was in honour of Vithaldas Thackersey who had donated 1.5 million Indian rupees. In 1936, the university moved its headquarters to Bombay, followed by the stately recognition in 1951. It was the first women's university in India and Southeast Asia.
Goals
Goals
Self-empowerment, education for women
Outcomes
Outcomes
Today, the university has around 70,000 female students, 39 departments, 15 faculties; 174 undergraduate colleges and 8 institutes that are eligible for PhD degrees. In addition, three secondary schools for girls are run. In 1976, a rural development programme was launched for education, health and income generation in nearby villages.
