Born over 100 years ago in 1894 the World YWCA, the largest membership based women's organization in the world unites and speaks for up to 25 million women involved in YWCA work in over 90 countries including India, where there are 62 local YWCAs some of whose initiatives date back to 1875. The World YWCA is committed to empowering women to fill their role in their communities, their nations, and the world. Of all international organizations, the YWCA has the longest history of training, advocating and supporting social and economic development for women, and the basis of experience in over 90 countries in the world. Self sufficiency and self reliance are concepts rooted in the YWCA experience.



The YWCA is a WORLD Movement in which women of all denominations, pray together and share the responsibility of working together, to further the aim and purpose of the YWCA, whilst maintaining deep respect for the faith and tradition of each member


In addition to working on social and legislative changes, YWCAs in India respond to current needs by offering a variety of service programmes to facilitate the development of self-reliance and independence in young women, e.g.

Training in Social work
Community development programmes – projects
Hostels for working and student women
Recreation and Sports clubs
Centres for counseling and shelter for women facing distress situations
Centres for Secretarial Training and other Vocational skilled training
Adult education and Management skills training
Awareness education/Leadership training
Professional and Business Women’s groups
Crèches and Day-Care facilities for children of working mothers
Counseling – Careers, marriage and family life.


The PIONEERING spirit of the founders has been reflected in the variety of causes taken up by YWCAs in India.

Networking with YWCAs around the world and with other organizations in India, the national movement has worked on a wide variety of public issues, viz.

GLOBAL : In support of YWCAs in :

The civil rights movements in USA
The fight against apartheid in South Africa
Liberation struggles of countries under oppressive rules
Their efforts to bring peace with justice in the Middle East
The fight against multinational encroachments on development in Third World countries
Efforts to chalk out international conventions on rights of women and children
Efforts to remove all forms of discrimination against Women, Peace and Disarmament movements.


NATIONAL : Campaigns in supports of :

National policies to ensure equal access to development processes for women
Legislative reforms to remove discrimination against women
Legislation to ban sex determination tests
Anti-dowry and Anti-Sati laws
A uniform Civil Code and review of Christian Personal laws in preparation for UCC
A just settlement for Bhopal gas victims
Communities affected by pollution of Periyar river- Kerala
Equal wages for equal work for women
A National Convention on Rights of the Child
Anti-obscenity law and code for media projection of women
Baby Food Code and Maternity Benefits
Inter-religious dialogue for communal harmony and national integration.




Means belonging, participating, giving and receiving.

A diverse representation of women of all ages, backgrounds and interests make up the membership. It is through the talents, commitment and effective action of members interacting with the larger community that the YWCA comes alive.



The goals of the movement are reviewed and set by delegates of local YWCAs at a National Convention, held every 4 years. They are based on the values and directive principles of the AIM and within the framework of Priorities of the World YWCA.

These are currently :

HUMAN RIGHTS; HEALTH; PEACE; ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY; REFUGEE & MIGRANT WOMEN with special emphasis on Leadership by young women.