On November 2^nd, the Self Employed Women’s Association, SEWA while celebrating the International day of women workers in the informal economy honoured its visionary founder Shri. Ela Bhatt for her lifelong dedication towards attaining voice, visibility and validation for the women workers in the informal economy.

On this occasion Kristjan Bragason, the General Secretary of IUF said that he had never met Elaben personally but during his this visit to SEWA for this propose and while being at the field visit, he has gained appreciation of her remarkable legacy and got inspiration from her vision. Learning from SEWA he said that IUF should have central message that values must remain the same but we must be prepared to change how we work. He also said that IUF will support the initiative to establish November 2 as the International Day for Women workers in the informal economy together with ITUC.

Sister Nancy Barry, the former President and CEO of Women’s World Banking (WWB), remembered Elaben and said, “she is the most consequential person in our lives and one of the thing that she taught us all was humility.” She shared some very cherished moments with her and said, “Ela ben was the most important people ever to walk the earth and we will try to take all that you taught us by your example to continue making a difference in our world.”

On this occasion Jyoti Macwan, General Secretary, SEWA, while remembering Elaben, said, “Throughout her life Elaben was committed to increase voice, visibility and validation of the women workers of the informal economy and she achieved this through peace, non-violence and values. And we acknowledge that IUF has declared this day as the International Day for women workers in the Informal economy to honour her lifelong commitment to bring income and work security for these women.”

Elaben, held a firm belief, “Every hand must receive skills, and no skilled hand should be left without a livelihood.” with the vision for the women workers of the informal economy to receive skills that are aligned with current economy requirements. So that these otherwise vulnerable workers achieve work security, income security, food security and social security.  This vision was also given prominence in the ILO’s Global Commission report on the Future of Work that  emphasised on lifelong learning, social protection and decent work.

This value-driven ideology forms the foundation of the “Kaushalya” Skill Institute. This institute aims to provide international-standard skill training to approximately 50,000 young women in coming 10 years, enabling them to build their identity with confidence, become economically self-reliant, and live with dignity.

In this spirit, GTNfW and the Bagchi Foundation are joining hands to establish Kaushalya – The SEWA-Bagchi Skill Institute for Women Workers at Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Envisioned as a residential training institute connecting women workers from across India with skill training to make them future ready for the world of work. Kaushalya is a long term initiative for essential life skills with the holistic development of the women workers while also focusing on  digital literacy, financial literacy, physical and mental well-being and overall personality development.

Sushmita ben Bagchi founder of the Bagchi foundation after the signing of MOU between Bagchi Foundation and GTNfW and ITEES Singapore said, “Today we feel our lives have got a purpose and we are delighted to walk this path. I can feel Elaben’s presence and her aura today and that is giving us the inspiration to work better.” She also said that the word “Kaushalya” itself incorporates the real purpose of imparting skills to enable well-being for overall human development. With heart filled with gratitude she prayed to Elaben that she bestows upon us her vison, firm determination and the art of doing small tasks in a grand way, such that our daughters across the globe, with right skills can help create a more prosperous and safe world.

ITE Education Services (ITEES), Singapore, will serve as the technical and knowledge partner, contributing expertise to the institute’s skills training framework.

Reema ben from SEWA also shared her perspective and said, “ Kaushalya will enable the young women’s live a life of dignity and self-respect. Achieve the second freedom in its true sense. As it is our vision statement that Second Freedom is enjoying self-reliance both economic and mental, in thinking and in decision-making. In our experience, this is not possible without full employment.