“To awaken the people, it is the women who must be awakened. Once she is on the move, the family moves, the village moves, the nation moves.” – Jawahar Lal Nehru.

Our Story – CEDOW at a Glance

Founded with Purpose : CEDOW grew out of a doctor’s journey of serving people through free medical camps and the realization that women’s struggles extend far beyond hospitals and clinics.

A Holistic Vision : We work on the interconnected challenges of health, education, economic dependence, and social inequality—especially for women in rural and marginalized communities.

Inclusive from Day One : From the beginning, CEDOW involved both women and men. We believe empowerment is not a women-only issue, but a shared responsibility.

What We Do : Our initiatives span free healthcare, vocational training, health awareness, gender rights awareness, and grassroots community outreach.

Why We Do It : Because when women are empowered, families thrive and societies progress. And when men support that journey, change becomes lasting.

Our Mission

Raise awareness among adolescent girls and women about reproductive and sexual health, nutrition, hygiene, and gender equality.

Provide free healthcare services at regular intervals.
Build support systems and offer training that help women become self-reliant.
Encourage women to see themselves as nurturers, promoters, and decision-makers in their families and communities.

The Issues We Work On

CEDOW addresses the core issues that affect women across their lives.

High Maternal and Infant Mortality : Poverty, child marriage, malnutrition, and lack of maternal care remain leading causes of preventable deaths.

Child Marriage and Early Pregnancy : Nearly 60% of rural girls are married before 18, and most have children before 19—putting both mother and child at serious risk.

Low Birth Weight and Child Health : One in three babies is born underweight, making them more vulnerable to illness and death.

Alarming Maternal Deaths : India still loses about 125,000 women each year to pregnancy-related causes—the second-highest maternal death toll in the world.

High Infant Mortality : Despite progress, 57 infants per 1,000 live births still die in India.

Gender Discrimination and Skewed Sex Ratio : With only 933 women for every 1,000 men, India lags behind the global average of 990, reflecting deep-rooted gender bias.

Lack of Awareness and Access : Illiteracy, poor healthcare access, and limited knowledge about hygiene, nutrition, and reproductive rights leave girls and women highly vulnerable to illness, malnutrition, exploitation, and violence.

People Behind The Scenes

Dr. Vijayalakshmi Aluri : A Post graduate in Ob./Gy., practicing in private set up since 38 years.

Writer of fiction and health education books. Involved in social service for the past 25 years as Ob./Gy. Professional and as president of many organizations like Rotary club, Indian Medical association, Rotary Blood Bank, Rotary old age home for women and short stay home for harassed women, chaitanya vanitha mandali, National federation of Indian women-NFIW- Dist. unit, Loksatta-organisation which fights against corruption and works for constitutional reforms-Dist. Unit Vice-chairman of Indian Redcross society-Dist. Unit, Project coordinator of Urban Health Center, which extends maternity and child health services in a geographical area with about 25,000 people, and Managing Trustee- CEDOW

Present focus areas:

Health education and health services to the Adolescent girls and women leading to Health empowerment of women.
Extension of Vocational training to the poor and needy women and adolescent girls
Sensitization of the community against gender bias and gender Violence.

Sri. R. Adinarayana Rao: Had his education in engineering at Post. Graduate level from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and French Petroleum Institute, Paris.He served the oil industry in India for over 30 years in public-sector institutions at senior management and Board-level positions. For a number of years, he headed the petroleum-products standards committees of the Bureau of Indian standards, having also represented India on the petroleum Committees of International standards organization, Geneva.

Actively associated with several voluntary organizations working for integrated rural development and weaker sections as well as for the welfare of women and children with special needs.

Present focus areas:
– Education and rehabilitation of children with disabilities

– Gender bias in society and care of girl-child.

– Health education from adolescent stage leading to improved health and nutritional status of women.

Smt. N. Usharani: Retired Lecturer of Govt. Polytechnic for Women, Kakinada.. Involved in many service activities related to women and children as president of women’s wing of Sri Satyasai Sevasamithi, and as member of Rotary club Kakinada Golden jubilee, Rotary Trust for Old age home for women. Involved in day to day maintenance of Old age home for women and as Trustee of CEDOW, closely involved in all its activities mainly in monitoring and maintenance of Urban Health Centre funded by Government of India.

Present focus areas:
–Education of human values to the children

–Service to the aged women

Mrs. N. Bhanumathi: House wife and social worker. As secretary of Secretary of Chaitanya vanitha mandali and Trustee, CEDOW, involved in various programs related to Health Education, development and empowerment of Women. As member of Trust for Home for Old Age Women, involved in its maintenance.

Present focus areas:

-Health education of adolescent girls

-organising vocational centers for women

Sri. YD. Rama Rao: Chairman of Indian Redcross AP State Branch & Kakinada District Branch and also the National Managing Body Member, New Delhi was responsible for the establishment of Redcross Bhavan, Thalassemia Care Center, Vatsalya Home for Senior Citizens, Eye Bank, Janahitha Generic Medicals and Child Care, Women Welfare, Skill Development Centre now Constructing Redcross Cancer Block & AP State Redcross Bhavan Vijayawada. Ramarao is a Veteran Co Operator, Staunch Sports Promoter, Rotarian Leader, Best RWA Manager, Community Infra Developer, Competent Administrator and a Social Activist for the last 40 years known for his Dedication and Commitment for the Development of the institutions he leads.