| Institute of Social Studies Trust | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1964 |
| Type | Research Institution |
| Director | Ms Ratna M. Sudarshan |
| Location | New Delhi, Bangalore, India |
| Website | www.isst-india.org |
The Institute of Social Studies Trust (ISST), a non-governmental research organization, is a leading institute involved in pioneering research on gender and development issues in India. ISST is an NGO in consultative status with United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)[1].
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ISST was registered as a Trust in 1980. The institute was founded by Dr. Devaki Jain, a feminist economist and development activist from India. Dr. Devaki Jain served as a director of the Institute till 1994. ISST started its office at Barakhamba Road, New Delhi. Later it had shifted to Kamaladevi Bhavan at Deendayal Upadhaya Marg. Since 1995, ISST has been operating from India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. ISST also has a branch office at Bangalore and a community centre named "Saathi' in East Delhi.
ISST’s research is primarily focused on women’s livelihood, work and well being. Over the years ISST has worked in several related areas of research viz., poverty, health, governance and environmental issues. ISST’ research is multidisciplinary and ranges from analysis of macro level policies and data to micro level action research. The field operation includes rural and urban India and beyond. Between 1998 and 2006, ISST has been involved in the design and coordination of the Gender Network, an IDRC sponsored network researching into the impact of economic reforms on various dimensions of gender-based inequality in South and South-East Asia.[2] Other Areas of work include women’s leadership, women’s work, the informal economy and Social Protection.
ISST’s community centre in East Delhi seeks to provide a range of educational inputs like computer training, theatre for the children, along with other information and support needed to access basic services – the PDS, schools and hospitals. Its vision is to help women and children empower themselves through education and access to information. The centre also provides counseling services, most often sought for marital problems, behavioural and personality problems and career counseling. Recently, ISST has started a Gender Resource Centre – Suvidha Kendra at Kalyanpuri (East Delhi), under government of Delhi's Bhagidari (Partnership) project.
In a recent development, ISST has joined the initiative of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in opening a community college in east Delhi which aims to empower individuals through appropriate skills development leading to gainful employment in collaboration with the local industry and the community.[3] It’s expected that community colleges will help in developing skills towards employability particularly for the marginalized and underprivileged sections of society. ISST would be offering Certificate Courses in Computer Education and Functional English.