The Association for Non-Traditional Employment for Women (ANEW) is a voluntary, registered charitable society, founded in 1997, and registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act in Chennai, India. Its founding partners are Mr. M.K. Kumar and Ms. Lakshmi Kumar. It is funded entirely by donations.

Employment choices for women from underprivileged families in India are limited to "traditional" jobs in agriculture and low-skilled handicraft work. Since 1997, ANEW has provided vocational training to poor women and adolescent girls, and helped them find new avenues for employment by educating them at no cost in non-traditional skills in the following areas:

Home Nursing: A four-month course with classroom theory supplemented by on-the-job training at a reputed hospital in Chennai.

Software Skills Training: A three month basic computing skills - MS Office, Internet and Accounts - leading to a Diploma in Computer Application. Students interested in this field may also undertake a three month desktop publishing course.

Auto Rickshaw Driving: A three-month course in driving Autorickshaws (a three-wheel vehicle). ANEW trained women are employed by schools to transport children to school and back home; other women seek employment with private auto rickshaw owners or ply on their own.

Car Driving: Women recruited for this course are given financial assistance to complete the one and a half month training with the Indian Road Transport Corporation (IRTC). On procuring their license from IRTC, they undergo a two-month on-the-road training at ANEW when they are taught the basics of automobile maintenance. Then, The Automobile Association of South India assesses these candidates and imparts further theory classes on defensive driving.

All courses are taught by paid professionals. In all its projects, ANEW ensures that:
• The venture should be for the direct benefit of poor women.
• The venture should aim to provide practical skills and peer-group support through education/training and group activities.
• The venture should be based on self-help principles and not just handouts.

The ultimate objective is to make women independent and readily employable. The emphasis is on assisting poor women who have high school level education, to find regular employment by acquiring professional skills. In the last 10 years, ANEW has educated more than 3000 women and helped them find paying jobs. Eighty percent of trainees get jobs immediately after their training. ANEW training increases earning capability by 500 percent and many ANEW graduates continue with higher studies.

ANEW’s long-term efforts are to train women in nontraditional areas like professional housekeeping, carpentry, electrical and electronic maintenance, Montessori training, pediatric care, data entry operations, and garment designing, by providing financial support during training and arranging placements.

Expenses: ANEW currently requires approximately Rs.85, 000 (USD 1900) per month, all expenses included. Seventy four percent is a direct expense including instructor salaries, training and maintenance expenditure, printing and stationery expenses. Indirect expenses (26 percent) include audit fees and bank interest for fixed deposits obtained by donations. All services of the management committee members are voluntary.

Sources Of Funds: ANEW mainly collects its funds from annual fundraising programs in India, like ticketed concerts and dance performances and contributions from private foundations including The Tamilnadu Foundation and Lady Wellington Foundation. ANEW also receives corporate donations and individual contributions from India.

Current Deficit: Interest from government bonds keeps ANEW afloat. There is no sponsorship for new programs and ANEW has a long waiting list of applicants in the existing programs. The demand for training programs exceeds current resources. Funds are required for a much needed mid-day meal program and for constructing a first floor in the existing building to accommodate additional applicants.