What is the full form of SEWA?

The full form of SEWA is Self Employed Women’s Association. Ela Bhatt’s initiative saw the creation of this low-wage, independent women’s trade union in April 1972. It is recognised by the Indian Trade Unions Act of 1926.

It is primarily an association of low-income, independent women workers who make a living through jobs, businesses, and projects. Over 94 per cent of all female employees in India work for unorganised businesses. They would not be eligible for daily wage jobs with social security like the women workers in the organised sectors are.

Objectives of SEWA

The main objectives of the SEWA are listed below.

• SEWA aims to achieve self-reliance and full employment for all of its participants.
• Full employment entails work, which ensures the security of the workers’ safety, money, diet, social protection, etc.
• Self-reliance refers to the need for female workers to be independent and self-sufficient on a personal, social, financial, and decision-making level.

The Layout of SEWA

• Any self-employed female worker in India is eligible to join SEWA. Its annual membership price is only five rupees.
• A two-tiered structure of elected officials runs the union.
• The representatives will be chosen by the representatives of each trade, followed by the elected Trade Council officials.
• The Trade Committee also exists in every trade council, running concurrently with the Trade Council.
• The trade council elects 25 people every three years to the Executive Committee.
• The Executive Committee representatives will choose the office holders for the union, and the president will come from the trade with the most members.

Functions of SEWA

• SEWA’s struggle and growth-based strategy enable female employees to achieve economic advancement and independence.
• The struggle is also against society and the business’s constraints on these women employees. Growth also entails giving women better economic prospects and increasing their negotiation power.
• Unions and cooperatives work together to put this strategy into practice.