Women’s Legal Forum for Housing Societies was founded with the vision of empowering women, creating legal awareness, and strengthening the rights and participation of members of cooperative housing societies.
The Forum was started by Advocate Sunita Sunil Godbole, with the constant support, encouragement, and partnership of her late husband, Mr. Sunil Godbole.
For the past 22 years, Advocate Sunita Godbole and her late husband worked together for the benefit and welfare of cooperative housing society members and Managing Committee members. What initially began as an initiative focused primarily on women gradually expanded to serve all members of cooperative housing societies, recognising that knowledge of law, rights, responsibilities, and good governance is important for every member.
The Forum’s journey of more than two decades has been dedicated to legal education, awareness, empowerment, professional training, and the welfare of cooperative housing societies.
The Forum aims to bridge the gap between legal provisions and their practical implementation by educating society members and Managing Committee members about their rights, duties, responsibilities, and proper procedures.
Over the years, the Forum has become a platform for legal awareness, cooperative education, seminars, workshops, consultancy, redevelopment and self-redevelopment guidance.
The contribution of Late Mr. Sunil Godbole is an inseparable and important part of the history and journey of the Forum.
Mr. Sunil Godbole was retired from the Food Corporation of India (FCI). He was also an RTI Activist and a highly knowledgeable person with a deep understanding of legal, administrative, cooperative, and public-interest matters.
After his retirement, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to supporting his wife, Advocate Sunita Sunil Godbole, and the work of the Forum.
He became a constant source of guidance, encouragement, and strength behind the Forum’s activities. His involvement was not merely supportive; he actively contributed his time, knowledge, experience, and personal resources to the Forum’s mission.
He strongly believed that ordinary members of cooperative housing societies should understand their legal rights and should have access to proper information and guidance.
Mr. Sunil Godbole personally supported the Forum financially and, on several occasions, spent money from his own pocket to organise legal seminars, workshops, awareness programmes, and educational initiatives.
At a time when conducting such programmes required considerable personal commitment and resources, his support made it possible for the Forum to continue organising programmes for the benefit of society members and Managing Committee members.
His contribution extended beyond financial support. His knowledge of RTI, administration, cooperative matters, and legal issues added substantial value to the Forum’s activities.
After retirement, he gave his full-fledged support to his wife and the Forum, standing beside her in her work and encouraging the Forum to continue its mission.
For more than two decades, he remained one of the strongest pillars behind the Forum.
His contribution, dedication, and legacy will always remain an integral part of the Forum.
Throughout its journey, the Forum has been fortunate to receive the constant support, guidance, encouragement, and professional association of eminent legal professionals.
The Forum gratefully acknowledges the valuable support and guidance of:
Their professional guidance, expertise, encouragement, and continued support have been a great source of strength to the Forum and its initiatives.
The Forum remains grateful to all advocates, legal professionals, educators, experts, members, Managing Committee members, students, and well-wishers who have contributed to and supported its journey.
The Forum conducts educational and practical training programmes relating to:
The objective is to create knowledgeable, confident, and responsible society members and Managing Committee members.
The Forum provides coaching and guidance for the Government Diploma in Co-operation and Accountancy (G.D.C. & A.).
The programme helps students and aspiring cooperative professionals develop knowledge in:
The Forum aims to encourage young professionals to develop expertise in the cooperative sector.
The Forum provides legal consultancy and guidance in matters relating to cooperative housing societies, including:
The objective is to help members and Managing Committees understand the applicable legal framework before taking important decisions.
For more than two decades, the Forum has organised legal seminars, workshops, interactive sessions, training programmes, and awareness initiatives.
These programmes are conducted for:
The Forum believes that legal knowledge should not remain confined to courtrooms and legal offices. It should reach the ordinary members of housing societies who deal with these issues in their everyday lives.
A major area of the Forum’s present work is Redevelopment and Self-Redevelopment of Cooperative Housing Societies.
The Forum works towards creating awareness among society members and Managing Committees about the legal, procedural, financial, and administrative aspects of redevelopment and self-redevelopment.
Through seminars, workshops, legal consultancy, and educational programmes, members are encouraged to understand:
The Forum believes that redevelopment decisions should be taken by well-informed members through transparent, fair, and legally compliant procedures.
Advocate Sunita Sunil Godbole practices before the Principal Bench of the Bombay High Court and serves as the Executive President of the Woman’s Legal Forum for Housing Societies.
She is a legal professional and social activist working in the areas of:
Over the years, Advocate Sunita Godbole has worked towards helping housing society members understand their legal rights and responsibilities and has advocated for greater transparency, accountability, and fairness in cooperative housing administration.
Her work has particularly focused on empowering women to understand and exercise their legal rights and encouraging members to participate actively in the management and decision-making processes of their housing societies.
Promoting awareness of members’ rights and addressing legal and administrative issues arising within cooperative housing societies.
Educating members and Managing Committee members about the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, Rules, Bye-laws, and proper administrative procedures.
Encouraging women to understand their legal rights and take an active role in housing society management and decision-making.
Promoting proper procedures, accountability, documentation, transparency, and responsible administration in cooperative societies.
Promoting awareness of the Right to Information (RTI) and the importance of accountability and transparency in public and cooperative matters.
The Forum’s name and original purpose reflected its commitment to women’s empowerment and the legal protection of women within cooperative housing societies.
However, over the years, the Forum recognised that cooperative housing issues affect every member, irrespective of gender.
Therefore, the Forum expanded its activities to include all members and Managing Committee members of cooperative housing societies.
Today, the Forum works as a broader platform for:
The Forum believes that:
Our vision is to create cooperative housing societies where:
For more than 22 years, the Woman’s Legal Forum for Housing Societies has continued its journey with the support of legal professionals, educators, students, members, Managing Committee members, experts, and well-wishers.
The Forum’s journey began with a vision of women’s legal empowerment and has evolved into a broader movement dedicated to the welfare of all cooperative housing society members and Managing Committees.
The Forum continues to bring together:
The journey that began with Advocate Sunita Sunil Godbole and the unwavering support of her late husband, Mr. Sunil Godbole, continues with a renewed commitment to strengthening cooperative housing communities.
The Forum carries forward the values of knowledge, transparency, accountability, legal awareness, and service to society members.
The Forum’s history cannot be written without remembering Late Mr. Sunil Godbole, who stood beside his wife and the Forum with unwavering dedication.
From his years of experience at the Food Corporation of India, his work as an RTI Activist, his extensive knowledge of legal and administrative matters, and his wholehearted support after retirement, he made a lasting contribution to the Forum.
He gave his time, knowledge, financial resources, and constant encouragement to help the Forum organise legal seminars, workshops, and awareness programmes.
His belief in the importance of legal education and his commitment to the welfare of housing society members remain a lasting inspiration.
His legacy continues through the work of the Woman’s Legal Forum for Housing Societies.
a) CREATE AWARENESS
b) PROVIDE GUIDANCE
c) PROMOTE GOOD GOVERNANCE
For the Members.
For the Managing Committees.
For Better Cooperative Housing Societies.