About
- House 35 R/A,Street
- +357 984538
- e-mail us
About Us
About Us
Home > About Us
About SHED
S.H.E.D India
SHED’s Mission is to empower the underprivileged, marginalized and vulnerable sections of society, especially women and girls, through activities promoting self reliance and dignity.
SHED’s role is mainly catalytic in nature. We believe that development schemes should not create a sense of dependency.
Therefore, the best that can be done is to prepare the target groups to make decisions
for themselves and equip them with the necessary organizational and leadership capacities so that they
can confidently determine their own future.
SHED was established in 1982 at the request of the Dharavi slum community. It now has
centers in 6 different slums in Mumbai and 30 tribal areas.
FOUNDER’S MESSAGE
MRS. BILKEES I. LATIF
Begum Bilkees Idrees Latif was a distinguished Indian social reformer and the founder of SHED India (Society for Human & Environmental Development), established in 1982. While she is widely known as the initiator for her empathetic and transformative work in Dharavi, Mumbai, her contributions to society extended far beyond one community or one location.
She worked extensively for the upliftment of urban and semi-urban poor communities across India, focusing on slum redevelopment, women’s empowerment, child welfare, public health, education, and environmental improvement.
Through SHED India, she promoted self-help groups, vocational training, and income-generation programs that enabled women to become financially independent. She also played a vital role in advocating for secure housing rights, improved sanitation, access to clean drinking water, and community-based healthcare services.
Her ability to bridge the gap between marginalized communities, government authorities, and policy makers helped ensure that the voices of the underprivileged were heard and respected.
In recognition of her lifelong dedication to social service and inclusive urban development, the Government of India awarded her the Padma Shri Award in 2009.
Her legacy continues to inspire social workers and development practitioners committed to dignity, justice, and sustainable community development.
About SHED
About Our Organisation
Society for Human & Environmental Development (SHED) was formed in October 1982 at Raj Bhavan, Bombay by Begum Bilkees Latif, wife of the then Governor of Maharashtra, as President. The Society is working for the slum dwellers in Mumbai and its surrounding areas for the last 35 yrs with its six different centres located in the slums of Dharavi, Jogeshwari, Mahakali and Sagbaug (in Andheri) and Kalina and for the rural and tribal community since 1988 at Virathan Village in Saphale, Thane District
The Prime objective of Society is promoting the welfare and improving the living conditions of those living in urban slums and tribal area by helping in providing basic amenities, health and family welfare clinics, arranging medical check–ups, nutritional programmes for children and expectant mothers, recreational and educational facilities for children and grown–ups, and training in skills by establishing vocational and technical Institutions and training centres, Counselling Centre for harassed women, Day Care Centre for Grannies. The Society also promotes Gandhian national and moral values, environmental and personal cleanliness and hygiene among slum dwellers, villagers and tribals.
FOUNDER’S MESSAGE
YEARS OF MILESTONE
BOARD MEMBERS:
VISION
To help formation of a just, participatory, self-reliant and sustainable society, where people from the socially and economically backward communities, especially tribals and women, will have the right and freedom to decide, plan and lead a life of their own choice without fear of threat from any one, and will be equal partners in the spheres of their Development, with a girl child’s right to Education, a happy and healthy childhood, and protection from abuse and labour.
MISSION
To empower the underprivileged, marginalized and vulnerable sections of Society, especially Women and Girls through activities promoting self reliance and human dignity, with an involvement in values.
Focus
Empowering marginalized populations in underdeveloped and underserved areas.
Approach
Achieving sustainable impact through active and inclusive community participation.
What we do
We Believe that We can Save
More Lifes with You
VISION
To help formation of a just, participatory, self-reliant and sustainable society, where people from the socially and economically backward communities, especially tribals and women, will have the right and freedom to decide, plan and lead a life of their own choice without fear of threat from any one, and will be equal partners in the spheres of their Development, with a girl child’s right to Education, a happy and healthy childhood, and protection from abuse and labour.
MISSION
To empower the underprivileged, marginalized and vulnerable sections of Society, especially Women and Girls through activities promoting self reliance and human dignity, with an involvement in values.
APPROACH
Results through community participants
“Mattis cras magna morb nula punar aenean aliquet in. Risus a arcu eget mi hendrerit gravida elit scelerisque tempor Pharetra fringilla tellus vivera eget sapien viverra faucibus facilisis sed facilisi dictum.”
Marvin McKinney
Manager
“Mattis cras magna morb nula punar aenean aliquet in. Risus a arcu eget mi hendrerit gravida elit scelerisque tempor Pharetra fringilla tellus vivera eget sapien viverra faucibus facilisis sed facilisi dictum.”
Darlene Robertson
Manager
“Mattis cras magna morb nula punar aenean aliquet in. Risus a arcu eget mi hendrerit gravida elit scelerisque tempor Pharetra fringilla tellus vivera eget sapien viverra faucibus facilisis sed facilisi dictum.”
Savannah Nguyen
ManagerBecome a Volunteer and
Save Wildlife
About
SHED’s Mission is to empower the underprivileged, marginalized and vulnerable sections of society, especially women and girls, through activities promoting self reliance and dignity.
Quick Link
Get in Touch!
- SHED Community Center, Church Street, Opp. St. Mary's School, 400029 Kalina, Santacruz East, Mumbai.
- shedkalina@gmail.com
- +91 98690 74181
© Copyright @ 2026 SHED India All Rights Reserved
