The Women Skill Development Centre (SDC), Dawar was initially established on 31 Oct 2021 at Dawar (Gurez). The SDC was established with the vision to help educate people and empower women around the country. The SDC was subsequently renovated and upgraded in August 2023 with more facilities of skill development. The training and instructors and infrastructure of courses have been sponsored by Indian Army. As of now professional training on tailoring for females and plumbing for males is being organized.

The aim of the women skill development centre at Dawar was to:-

• Empower women by providing them with the skills they need to become self-sufficient.
• Increase women’s participation in the workforce.
• Improve the economic status of women.
• Increase women’s confidence and self-esteem.

Till date, 40 ladies including students and housewives of age group of 16 to 40 years have been trained in two batches of 20 each on various skills as under:-

• Tailoring – Skills of measuring, cutting and tailoring of garments, shirts and trousers.
• Stitching – Stitching/weaving of suits and sweaters in traditional and modern designs including hand and machine stitches.
• Embroidery – Embroidery stiches including cross stich & satin stich.
• Bag Making – Variety of bags including purses and handbags.

The centre also provides women with access to markets and other resources to help them start with their own business.

Training was imparted to local ladies without any fee. The assistance provided by unit was in terms of allotment of space at Gurez Haat, Dawar and by facilitating training infrastructure as well raw material for training. Post training many ladies have started their own tailoring venture at their homes and have started supplying suits, handicraft design and sweaters in the local markets as well as in Army shops at Shina Cultural Centre and at Gurez Haat as per demand and have become financially independent.