Women empowerment has been identified by the Government of India as a prerequisite not only for family and societal development, but also for the entire nation building and sustainable world. Affirmative legislations, plans and systematic programs are introduced in recent times by the Government with support from NGOs and Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives to cater the diverse domains constituting the United Nations identified Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

India has now endorsed the global effort of women welfare along with its preparations to achieve the UN sustainable development goal SDG-5 in a fast-track progression by 2030 itself. Hence there is an urgent need of assessing the above-mentioned affirmative actions, giving fresh impetus on empowering girls and women not only through conventional education but also hand holding for skill acquisition and skill development and providing them with equitable economic and social opportunities.

As a premier higher education institute in engineering, technology and scientific domain, National Institute of Technology Calicut is rightly positioned to support the women welfare and empowerment drive in the multiple segments the government have identified. The present proposal clearly identifies the various segments which directly constitutes with the women empowerment drive and proposes new programs, measures and action steps to implement the fast-track action plan. For the systematic implementation, continuous operation and regular monitoring and assessment and feedback measures aimed at societal development, a new dedicated Centre for Women Welfare and Social Empowerment is established at the institute.