Highlights of SEWA Gujarat’s achievements in 2007 |
- A board for informal sector workers was established, from which workers will receive identity cards, medical benefits, training and equipment.
- 154 bidi workers received Rs. 15,000,000 from their Provident Funds.
- The wage for agarbatti workers was increased from Rs. 7.5 to Rs. 8 for 1,000 sticks. From this, 15,1000 women will receive a total annual increase of Rs. 15,828,744.
- 3,000 paper pickers were recognised and will receive welfare benefits.
- In 2007, Rudi brand of Gram Haat sold Rs. 4 crores worth of goods and Hansiba brand of our Trade Facilitation Centre grossed Rs. 3 crores
- In 1.5 years, 60,000 women have received employment, from which Rs. 18 crores of income was generated.
- Galli Galli Sim Sim, the Indian version of Sesame Street, has been brought to the children of SEWA members in their communities to promote creative learning.
- Vimo SEWA has facilitated cashless tie-ups with 40 hospitals
- SEWA Social Security hosted the annual meeting of the Asia Oceania Insurance Cooperative and Mutuals Association
- Lok Swasthya Mandali and Sangini Mandali received ‘A’ gradations from the state cooperative board
- The World Health Organisation has recognised and accepted SEWA’s approach to health
- SEWA’s traditional medicines business, “Parishramalaya” has received a license to market 15 branded products
- Midwives successfully utilised the Right to Information (RTI) Act to demand denied payments of Rs. 150,000 due to them in government honoraria for deliveries
- Mahila SEWA Housing Trust established a credit cooperative in Vadodara
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IFWEA’s 20th Conference |
The International Federation of Workers’ Education Associations (IFWEA) celebrated 60 years this year at SEWA. As an organisation of women workers in the unorganised sector for over 35 years, it was a unique honour for SEWA to host their celebration and 20th General Conference. 110 participants from 35 countries participated in a conference on “Worker’s Education in the Informal Economy” in Ahmedabad from December 1 to 5.
As part of the conference, SEWA presented and led discussions on four topics: economic organisation of informal sector workers; social security; microfinance and capitalism; and rural development and cooperatives. SEWA’s officers, coordinators, executive body and representatives shared their views and experience in these areas.
Issues that emerged included: the importance of education; human rights education; effective training methodology; legal literacy; the effects of globalisation; the importance of organising; knowledge of government schemes; worker-employer relations; skills and effectiveness for representation; recognition of workers’ contributions; and the importance of international partnerships. |
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With the Prince of the Netherlands |
Recently, the Prince of the Netherlands, Prince William Alexander, and Princess Maxima visited villages in Bansakantha district, after an earlier visit in 1991. Upon seeing the progress and results achieved over the past 16 years in attaining access to water and organising women, Prince William Alexander offered his sincere thanks to SEWA. |
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We are poor, but so many |
We are poor, but so many, written by SEWA founder Elaben Bhatt, takes readers into the world and work of self-employed women. Through this book, one understands the actual contribution of women workers in the home and across the country. The English edition of the book has been released, and has also recently been translated into Gujarati. |
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Video SEWA Award |
Video SEWA’s “My Life, My Work” won the Social Documentary Award at the Guidonia Film Festival in Guidonia, Italy. Of 310 entries, 13 films were chosen. Namrataben Bali accepted the award from the Mayor, and offered gratitude and appreciation on behalf of SEWA’s membership. |
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SEWA Team in Kabul’s Baugh-e-Janana (park for women) |
On behalf of the Government of India, SEWA was invited to establish a vocational training and business resource centre in Kabul’s Baugh-e-Janana. Working with national and international organisations in Kabul, SEWA identified skill training appropriate to local conditions. Based on its experience, SEWA provided training in skills such as sewing, fruit and grain processing, nursery and gardening to 1,000 women. For the future, SEWA is considering trainings in management, marketing, finance and accounts. Twenty-two women selected from the trainings will come to SEWA for a three month training course. Whether from Ahmedabad or Kabul, the strength of self-employed women is formidable. For these women together, even language is no barrier. |
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SEWA Bank Award |
The National Federation of Cooperative Banks, New Delhi, awarded SEWA Bank an award for “Excellent performance.” |
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