Indian Federation of University Women's Associations
Career and Professional Counselling Courses for Women living in poverty

Aimed particularly at helping young women living in poverty, this project sets out to transform discriminatory social attitudes towards women, whilst at the same time improving their social status through guidance counselling.  Over the next three years, 2008-2010, IFUWA's activities will target secondary schools in low-income areas with aptitute testing materials to help female students identify their interests, talents and skills.  Career counselling centres will be established in these schools, and women from among the IFUWA membership will serve as resource people, helping girls fill out test forms, acting as counsellors, speaking to students about their professional lives, talking about vocational training, and leading visits to universities. 

Approximately one fifth of IFUWa's membership will be involved in this large country-wide project, which aims to make a real difference to the lives of many young women in India.

During 2008, over 700 girls in 12 schools in different regions of India were tested using two tests.  These were the Interest Inventory Test - a 300-question multiple choice test which identifies 13 areas of career options and the ME Tree Test, consisting of a free hand drawing of a tree, where the student is asked to put her interest and skills at the root and her goals and achievements for the future in the branches.

IFUWA members have worked very hard to convince school authorities about the importance of this project and have also taken a lot of time to explain the nature of the tests to the female students.  Test material has been translated into regional languages which has helped to give students a better understanding of the tests and what is required.

There has been a lot of positive feed-back from parents, students and techers and the programme has been found to be informative, innnovative, motivating and inspiring. 

This project has also increased the interaction among IFUWA members and has increased the dialogue between IFUWA and other NGOs such as Soroptimists, Lions Clubs and Local Women's Councils.  These organisations have indicated that they are keen to colloborate on the project.

The project will coninue until 2010 and will expand.  Teachers will be trained to use the aptitude testing materials themselves, counselling centres will be established in schools and career fairs organised.