A group of empowered women stand together in a vibrant landscape, symbolizing economic justice and social change.

Empowering Women Through Work: How SEWA Builds Solidarity and Fights for Economic Justice

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Theo Raines in Culture & Society June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the transformative power of the Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) and its holistic approach to educating and empowering women in India's informal economy."


In a world grappling with issues of economic inequality and gender disparity, the Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) stands as a beacon of hope. SEWA, an organization deeply rooted in Gandhian principles, has been working tirelessly to empower women in India's informal economy for decades. Their approach is not just about providing jobs; it's about fostering self-worth, building solidarity, and creating pathways to economic justice.

At the heart of SEWA's mission is a comprehensive training program designed to introduce new members to the organization and its multifaceted work. This program, detailed in academic research, goes beyond traditional skills training to address the deep-seated social and economic barriers that women face. It aims to transform their self-perception, empower them to become active agents of change, and equip them with the tools to navigate a complex and often unjust system.

This article delves into the intricacies of SEWA's training program, exploring its core principles, methodologies, and transformative impact on the lives of women. By understanding SEWA's approach, we can gain valuable insights into effective strategies for empowering marginalized communities and building a more equitable world.

Naam, Kaam, Gaam: Recognizing Identity and Building Community

A group of empowered women stand together in a vibrant landscape, symbolizing economic justice and social change.

The cornerstone of SEWA's training is the "Naam, Kaam, Gaam" (Name, Work, Village) module. This initial session focuses on establishing each woman's identity, not just within her family or community, but as a worker with inherent value and rights. For many women, this is a revolutionary concept. Often relegated to the shadows and defined solely by their relationships (mother, wife, daughter), their contributions to the economy go unrecognized.

The "Naam, Kaam, Gaam" session encourages women to introduce themselves fully, stating their name, where they live, and the work they do. This simple act is often fraught with emotion, as many have never been asked to define themselves in this way. It challenges societal norms that devalue women's labor and reinforces their self-worth. This process helps women realize the importance of owning their identity as workers, fostering a sense of pride and dignity in their labor.

  • Breaking Down Barriers: This exercise breaks down barriers of caste, religion and community that might have been there.
  • Building Solidarity: It emphasizes that they are all one, and can work together to help solve each other's problems and better each other's lives.
  • Practical Application: By asserting identity, women can better navigate systems (banking, healthcare) to obtain resources.
SEWA also recognized the practical implications of having a recognized identity. The organization spearheaded a campaign to provide identity cards to women workers. These cards, including name, work details, address, and photograph, serve as crucial documentation in the absence of other forms of identification. They enable women to access essential services like healthcare, childcare, and social security, and ensure they are counted in census data, leading to more accurate resource allocation and greater recognition of their contributions to the national economy.

A Legacy of Empowerment

SEWA's holistic approach to women's empowerment, as exemplified by its training programs, has had a lasting impact on countless lives. By addressing issues of identity, building solidarity, and equipping women with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed, SEWA has created a model for sustainable social change. Its work continues to inspire and inform efforts to create a more just and equitable world for all.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

1

What is the main goal of the Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA)?

The main goal of the Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) is to empower women in India's informal economy by fostering self-worth, building solidarity, and creating pathways to economic justice. SEWA achieves this through holistic training programs and initiatives deeply rooted in Gandhian principles.

2

Can you explain SEWA's "Naam, Kaam, Gaam" module and why it's important?

SEWA's "Naam, Kaam, Gaam" module, which translates to "Name, Work, Village," is a foundational session in their training program. It's designed to help women establish their identity as workers with inherent value and rights. Many of these women have been previously defined solely by their relationships. It encourages women to state their name, location and type of work they do. This process breaks down barriers and challenges the societal norms that often devalue women's labor, fostering a sense of pride and dignity.

3

How does SEWA help women practically establish their identity and access resources?

SEWA spearheads campaigns to provide women workers with identity cards containing their name, work details, address, and photograph. These cards act as official documentation, enabling women to access essential services such as healthcare, childcare, and social security. They also ensure that women are counted in census data, leading to better resource allocation and recognition of their economic contributions.

4

In what specific ways does SEWA's approach to training address the social and economic barriers faced by women?

SEWA's training programs go beyond traditional skills training to address the deep-seated social and economic barriers women face. Through modules like "Naam, Kaam, Gaam", SEWA aims to transform women's self-perception, empowering them to become active agents of change. The training equips them with the tools and knowledge to navigate complex systems like banking and healthcare. By breaking down barriers of caste, religion, and community, SEWA builds solidarity and helps women work together to solve problems and improve their lives.

5

What implications does SEWA's work have for broader strategies of economic development and social change?

SEWA's work provides a model for sustainable social change by addressing issues of identity, building solidarity, and equipping women with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. This holistic approach can be applied to other marginalized communities and contexts, showing the importance of recognizing individual worth, fostering collective action, and providing practical tools for economic empowerment. SEWA's successes highlight the need to challenge existing power structures and create more equitable systems that value the contributions of all members of society, especially those in the informal economy.

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