Our History
Five decades of building feminist power — a year-by-year record of plays staged, programs launched, women organised, and laws changed.
Stree Mukti Sanghatana is founded.
Stree Mukti Sanghatana is founded. The Cultural Troupe begins with songs and SMS publishes its first two books. Over the years 25 books have been written on women’s issues as well as various CDs and poster exhibitions are published.
First play 'Ha Prashnach Chukicha Aahe'
SMS performs its first play ‘Ha Prashnach Chukicha Aahe’ written by Rajeev Kalelkar. In 1980, SMS participated in Anti-dowry and anti-rape campaigns to change the laws.
Flagship play 'Mulagi Zali Ho'
SMS flagship play ‘Mulagi Zali Ho’ was launched. Since then over 3,000 performances were held for millions of viewers through large-scale awareness campaigns in all districts of Maharashtra, and through broadcasting and telecasting of the plays.
Stree-Purush Samanta Yatra. First Family Counseling Center inaugurated.
Stree-Purush Samanta Yatra was held. This year the first Family Counseling Center was inaugurated. SMS now runs six centers in four districts (Mumbai, Thane, Buldana, and Osmanabad). Tours of Stree-Purush Samanta Yatra in Western Maharashtra and North India.
A lot of 'firsts' for SMS
First issue of Prerak Lalkari Magazine (Clarion Call) is published. Stree-Purush Samanta Yatra of Vidarbha Region. Launching of the play Hunda Nako Ga Bai.
Stree-Purush Samanta Yatra in 2 districts of Konkan Region
Tour — Stree-Purush Samanta Yatra of Konkan region namely Chiplun, Dapoli, Deorukh, Kudal, Kankavli, Sawantwadi, Malvan, Devgad, Rajapur and Ratnagiri.
Stree-Purush Samanta Yatra in 6 districts of Marathwada Region
Tour — Stree-Purush Samanta Yatra of Marathwada Region namely Beed, Latur, Aurangabad, Nanded, Parbhani, Hingoli and Jalna.
Beginning of Child Care Center — Aamche Ghar
The first Child Care Center — Aamche Ghar — is launched. Seven crèches are now operated, taking care of 25 children at each center. Launching of Adult Literacy campaign in slums of Chembur.
Stree-Purush Samanta Yatra of Uttar Pradesh
Tour — Stree-Purush Samanta Yatra of Uttar Pradesh.
Worked for rehabilitation and communal harmony following the 1992 riots.
SMS begins active participation in general campaigns for secular values of the Indian Constitution and special campaigns for rehabilitation and communal harmony following the 1992 riots.
First Women's Commission of State of Maharashtra
SMS secretary Sharada Sathe was appointed as a member to the First Women’s Commission of the State of Maharashtra.
Playwrights Conference
SMS participates in the III Women Playwrights conference in Adelaide, Australia and SMS performs Mulagi Zali Ho. SMS participates in formulation of the I Women’s Policy of the State of Maharashtra. Launching of the play ‘Bap Re Bap’ on dwindling sex ratio.
World Conference
SMS volunteers participate in the 4th World Women’s Conference in Beijing and SMS performs Mulagi Zali Ho. Back home, SMS spreads the message of Platform for Action.
Beginning of Jidnyasa — program for adolescents. 25,000 students participated.
The Jidnyasa — Quest family life education program for adolescent students is developed. Over five lakh students in ten districts have participated in the program.
Parisar Vikas
Parisar Vikas is launched. The program now has over 3,000 women waste-pickers participating in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Dombivali.
SMS is accredited with ECOSOC (United Nations)
SMS is accredited with ECOSOC (United Nations) — a major recognition of the organisation’s work at the global level.
Stree-Purush Samanta Yatra of North Maharashtra Region
Stree-Purush Samanta Yatra of North Maharashtra Region, namely Nashik, Jalgaon and Dhule.
Training program for waste pickers
Two residential training programs for leadership skills and vocational guidance were held in collaboration with UNICEF: 500 primary teachers participated in leadership and vocational training. 500 Self Help Group waste pickers participated in leadership and vocational training.
Residential Training camp for adolescent girl students in Chandrapur and Yavatmal
5-day residential training program was held in collaboration with UNICEF, where 500 adolescent girl students participated.
Constructed first biogas plant
SMS constructed the first biogas plant for the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai.
Federation of Self Help Groups of Waste Pickers
Federation of Self Help Groups of Waste Pickers is registered.
Ten cooperatives of waste pickers
Ten cooperatives of waste pickers registered.
Education Promotion program for 5,000 children of waste pickers
Education Promotion program for 5,000 children of waste pickers is launched.
A new play 'Ye Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan' is staged
‘Ye Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan’ — a play on waste management — is launched.
SMS hosts the VIII International Conference of Women Playwrights
SMS hosts the VIII International Conference of Women Playwrights. SMS President, Ms. Jyoti Mhapsekar, serves as convener and becomes a member of the management committee of Women’s Playwrights International Incorporated.
A play 'Samatekade Vatchal' (Towards Equality) was staged
The play Samatekade Vatchal (Towards Equality) was launched. SMS activists participated in UNFCCC conferences in Bonn and Copenhagen.
Construction commences for the new SMS building in Koparkhairane
SMS started construction of its new building in Koparkhairane — the future home of the Multi-Activity Center.
Participated in Environment conference in Brazil
SMS activists participated in the Environment conference in Brazil and the Playwrights conference in Sweden.
Participates in the formulation of the I Women's Policy of Maharashtra
SMS participates in the formulation of the I Women’s Policy of the State of Maharashtra.
6th FCC and Aamche Ghar started operating
6th Family Counseling Center and Aamche Ghar started operating.
FCCs started in Kalamboli and Koperkhairane
New Family Counseling Centers started in Kalamboli and Koperkhairane. New Aamche Ghar centers started in Goregaon and Koperkhairane.
New Aamche Ghar starts operating in Chembur
New Aamche Ghar starts operating in Chembur, expanding the reach of childcare services.
Aamche Ghar starts operations in Mazgaon Dock
New Aamche Ghar started in Mazgaon docks. Pune Family Counseling Center starts operating full-day.