Women Development Cell (WDC)

About Penma

‘Penma,’ the Women Development Cell (WDC), is one of the core bodies that started functioning at the beginning of Al Shifa College of Arts and Science. Its mission is to frame policies and actions that will uphold the three pillars of women empowerment: Truth, Justice, and Equity.

‘Penma’ is a term coined by combining two words in Malayalam. ‘Pen-‘ is the adjective prefix denoting female/feminine, and ‘-nma’ is a suffix implying ‘certainty’ as in the Malayalam word ‘unma,’ which means ‘being certain, real.’ Thus, ‘Penma’ denotes the certainty of being women, the power of being women, and it also implies a call to act and live with that inherent feeling of powerful certitude.

‘Penma’ aims to introduce activities, initiate attitudes, and protect aptitudes that lead to equitable treatment of genders, not only on campus but also at home and in communities.

The WDC of the College, ‘Penma,’ involves and intervenes to integrate women empowerment policies and programs primarily to encourage the well-being of female students, teaching and non-teaching women staff of the college. It also undertakes awareness programs on gender sensitization, women’s rights, and women empowerment. These interventions throughout will help women achieve excellence in their fields and self-respect in their lives. Ultimately, it will lead to socio-economic reformation in societies, with women turning from dream-chasers to dream-makers.
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Aims and Objectives

Vision

To help achieve an egalitarian society in which women are accepted for who they are and respected for their capabilities.

Mission

To awaken the idea of gender equity among male and female students.
To expose the women community of students to the cultural, legal, and scientific principles of gender equity.
To empower women students to believe in themselves and take initiatives that align with their chosen pathways.
To equip women students with the necessary skills and competencies to face the world outside.
To extend their knowledge and skills to communities around the institution to expand the reach of empowerment.

Aims and Objectives:

To promote a culture of respect and equality for women
To enhance the self-confidence of women through legal awareness
To create awareness about social perceptions and remove instances of gender discrimination
To emphasize the importance of economic, social, and gender equality
To organize activities that spread the message of women empowerment
To prevent sexual harassment and address societal biases
To build confidence and foster financial independence
To provide financial literacy awareness sessions
To highlight the importance of health and hygiene

Activities:

PENMA: Women Development Cell Activities(2025-26)

In the 2025-26 academic year, the Women Development Cell (PENMA) at Al Shifa College of Arts and Science implemented a comprehensive range of initiatives focused on health, empowerment, and skill-building for female students.

Key Achievement: University Recognition

Best WDC Special Mention: PENMA received a “Special Mention” for the Best Women Development Cell Award from the University of Calicut.
Selection Process: Out of 200 entries across 6 districts, the college was recognized for its commitment to gender equality.
Award Ceremony: Coordinator Ms. Mini V. K. and student members accepted the honor from Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. P. Raveendran on March 9, 2026.

Core Activity Pillars

Health & Wellness: Extensive sessions were held on preventive care, including awareness programs for Anemia, Cervical Cancer, and PCOS, alongside practical diet counseling and hemoglobin detection camps.
Mental Health & Support: Focused on emotional resilience through workshops on Psychological First Aid and identifying suicide risk.
Career & Skill Development: Initiatives included NET coaching for Psychology students, CV-making sessions, and creative workshops in crochet and seed pen making to encourage entrepreneurship.
Inclusion & Safety: Conducted Gender Audits, safe social media usage sessions, and physical infrastructure improvements like installing napkin burners.
Leadership & Inspiration: Featured the “Miss Executive Award” and the “PAPER GIRL” series to motivate and celebrate student leaders.

Community Outreach & Impact

PENMA extended its influence beyond the campus through several social initiatives:

Awareness for Parents: Sessions on mobile usage in toddlers and social media security for parents.
Community Training: Conducted communication and parenting conflict workshops for Kudumbasree members and Montessori trainees.
Health Outreach: Organized breastfeeding awareness for Anganwadi workers and community health sessions.
Field Visits: Immersive learning experiences were provided through visits to Pratheeksha Buds School and the Assissi School for the Deaf.