SHILLONG, March 31: Women for Integrated Sustainable Empowerment (WISE) is a registered NGO of long standing. Established in June, 2000 it is run by the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions also known as the RNDM Sisters, North East India Province. The objectives of this NGO are among others to promote gender equity and to empower women following the UN-led sustainable development goals (SDGS).
WISE has empowered poor, marginalized and underprivileged section of the society and single mothers, women suffering from domestic violence, school dropout girls and other women in difficult circumstances in particular with the belief that such women are capable of improving the quality of their lives. WISE aims at enabling the marginalized groups to become economically empowered by the use of available resources.
Led by activist Sr Judith Shadap, WISE runs a vocational training centre for single women in its office. The skills provided include tailoring, embroidery, candle making, fast food, food processing, handicrafts, arts & crafts from recycled materials, flower making, knitting and chocolate making.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Sr Judith said that WISE has never believed in press releases to announce their activities but she realises that good work must be heard and emulated, more so because this programme is related to a training on maternal health and sanitation – a rather grey area in Meghalaya but one that needs optimum focus. Sr Judith informed that the training happened at two places, one in the premises of the WISE office and another at Mawjongka village.
WISE is networking for sponsorship of trainees and education of orphans and children from very poor families and those in difficult circumstances.
It also announced the Swavalamban Kaushal Unnayan Programme (skill development training programme) in tailoring for the first batch beginning on April 1, 2022 supported by Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), Shillong.