Our Journey

The CEHAT journey began in 1994 to interface between activism and academics, and people’s organisations and institutions. Over the past three decades our research, intervention and unrelenting advocacy efforts have proved successful, leading to concrete improvements in access to healthcare for marginalised communities.

1994 CEHAT was Setup

In 1994, Centre for Enquiry into Health and Allied Themes (CEHAT) was started as a Research Centre of the Anusandhan Trust to carry out socially relevant research, action and advocacy.

1996 Concerted efforts for Right to health in India

The organisation focused on role and regulation of private sector in provisioning of healthcare, developed policy briefs on inequities in health and analysed health budgets to advocate for increased public provisioning of healthcare

1999 Evolved the development of ethical guidelines for research in social sciences

Efforts were made to conduct reviews, and organise consultations for collating the ethical concerns in social science research and psycho- social interventions

2000 Pioneered the establishment of a health systems’ response to domestic violence

Dilaasa a hospital based crisis department was established as a joint initiative of CEHAT and Municipal Corporation of greater Mumbai (MCGM)

2004 PIL to prevent Sex Selective abortion

A Public Interest Litigation filed by CEHAT in collaboration with Masum and Sabu George resulted in amendment of Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (PCPNDT Act) and improved implementation by states.

2006 CEHAT led

Largest multi-state and multi-institution study on access to abortion services across 24 state with ….. partners and generated evidence that was used to advocate for rights of people seeking abortion

2009 Campaigned for Right to healthcare for survivors of sexual violence and overhauled harmful medical practices in sexual violence examinations

A Public Interest Litigation filed by CEHAT on advocating for removal of harmful medical practices for survivors of sexual violence.

2015 Fore grounded Gender in medical education leading to gender informed medical teachers

An innovation in collaboration with Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), Maharashtra resulted in teaching gender aspects in existing MBBS curriculum approved by university

2016 National advocacy by CEHAT led to integration of Dilaasa in National Urban health Mission in Mumbai

Dilaasa model was integrated in National Health Mission of Mumbai, Maharashtra and up-s called to 11 peripheral hospitals of Mumbai.

2019 Recognition by SVRI world bank group development

CEHAT was one of the ten awardees to receive a Grant award from “SVRI World Bank Group Development Marketplace for Innovation on Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response” among 260 proposals from all regions of the world.