The field of women’s empowerment recently lost a significant figure, Elaben Bhatt, the revered founder of the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA). Not only was Elaben a celebrated Gandhian and leading women’s empowerment activist, but her contributions to the upliftment of Indian women were recognized worldwide, earning her numerous national and international awards including the Padma Bhushan and the Magsaysay Award.
Elaben Bhatt: A Beacon for Women Empowerment
In 1955, Elaben joined the Textile Labour Association (TLA), a union founded in the wake of a textile strike led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1918. Her work at the women’s wing of the union and ongoing engagement with women migrants in the textile sector inspired her to conceptualize the self-help group. During her tenure, she served as a Member of Parliament and the Planning Commission of the Government of India, using these opportunities to affect structural improvements in the condition of Indian women.
The Birth and Growth of the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA)
Born from the TLA, SEWA could not register as a trade union until 1972 due to the fact its members did not have an “employer” and were therefore not recognised as workers. Despite setbacks, such as the anti-reservation riots of 1981 when the Bhatts were targetted for their support for Dalit quotas in medical education, leading to a split between TLA and SEWA, the organization fervently pursued its mission.
As early as 1974, SEWA Bank was established to provide small loans to impoverished women, gaining recognition from the International Labour Organisation as a microfinance movement.
With an annual membership fee of just Rs 10, SEWA accepts all self-employed individuals. It operates across 18 Indian states, as well as in other South Asian countries, South Africa, and Latin America.
SEWA’s Contribution to Women Empowerment
SEWA has played a pivotal role in rehabilitating women from personal, political, and social crises by providing them with skills training. It also actively promotes the cooperative production, consumption, and marketing of textiles, which are crucial for India’s industrialization.
It has had a decisive influence on the course of trade unionism and labour movement in India and continues to empower self-employed women across the nation.
Achievements of SEWA: Changing Lives and Influencing Policies
SEWA’s ongoing efforts have led to significant policy changes. The Unorganized Workers Social Security Act (2008), the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (2011), and the Street Vendors Act (2014) are seen as successful outcomes of SEWA’s struggle.
Furthermore, the PM Street Vendors Atmanirbhar Nidhi (PM-SVANidhi) scheme is said to draw inspiration from SEWA’s microfinance model. During the COVID-19 pandemic, SEWA launched Anubandh, an e-commerce platform connecting sellers with buyers, helping to sustain livelihoods during lockdowns.
SEWA’s tireless work continues to change the lives of over 2.1 million members worldwide, widely recognized as a global model for empowerment. Therefore, the effectiveness of microfinance initiatives, such as those implemented by SEWA, in creating assets, securing incomes, and empowering women in rural India remains a rich area for academic inquiry.
