INTRODUCTION
The Arunachal Pradesh Women Welfare Society initially had a humble beginning by few committed ladies of the State in the year 1979 to fight against the anti-social practices like Child Marriage/Forced Marriage, Polygamy and better educational opportunities for women of Arunachal Pradesh. The said organization was officially registered under the Societies Act in the year 1981. Besides these issues, APWWS was the only women organization which talked about codification of customary practices with modification wherein women and children rights are protected especially property inheritance rights of girl child within the ambit of cutomary laws.
In 1994, the State Govt hurriedly passed the Arunachal Pradesh Customary Practices Bills in the State Legislature without much debate/deliberation, thus giving sanction to social practices. The APWWS intervended by withholding accent of the President of India for re-examination of the said bills so that the women /girl child rights are protected.
Besides raising social issues, the Arunachal Pradesh Women Welfare Society also mobilized the entire women of the state under one banner during 1994 onward thus forming a strong network of women's group. The movement enable for establishment of State Commission for Women, Gender Budgeting, and also for inclusion of 33% of seat reservation in Panchayat Level so that women's political issues and opinions is seen and heard.During the long span of over a decade, the struggle of Apex Women Organization for equality of opportunities and empowerment in the field of economic, political and social to some extend has been achieved in the form of establishment of APSCW in 2005, Gender Budgeting from 2011, inclusion of 33% reservation in Panchayat Raj, Establishment of Women Police Station in Capital City and district headquarters, appointment of women member in Arunachal Pradesh State Civil Server Commission, and A.P State Information Commission etc are some of the landmark achievements which the APWWS has been able to highlight and enable the policy makers to implement and achieve gender equality.
At present there are more than 30 branches of APWWS and affiliated bodies which work under the banner of the APWWS. The organization has been able to invoke the thought process of young minds of the State to work towards the issues. Till date, the struggle of APWWS continues as there are different forms of challenges in the form of crimes against women and children, are increasing. The organization is trying its level best for inclusive development, peace and harmony and justice to its members. Convergent with all the stakeholders of the society to achieve its target is what the APWWS is working on and the journey still continues.