What is the full form of SEWA?
SEWA full form is the Self Employed Women’s Association. It is a trade union for low-income, self-employed women that was founded by Ela Bhatt in April 1972. It is registered under the Indian Trade Unions Act of 1926.
Read Other Full Forms
It is essentially an association of poor, self-employed women who earn their living through their employment, business, and initiatives. Over 94 percent of all female employees in India are employed by unorganized organizations. They would not be eligible for daily wage jobs with social security, like women in the organized sector.
Objectives of SEWA
The SEWA’s primary objectives are listed below.
- SEWA seeks to achieve full employment and independence for all of its participants.
- Full employment implies work, which ensures workers’ safety, income security, dietary security, and other benefits.
- Self-reliance implies that the female worker should be personally, collectively, and financially independent and autonomous in a decision-making capacity.
The Layout of SEWA
- In India, any self-employed female worker is eligible to join SEWA. The annual membership fee is only five rupees.
- A two-tiered layer of elected leaders governs the union’s operations.
- The representatives are elected by the elected representatives of each trade, followed by the elected officials of the Trade Council.
- In addition, the Trade Committee exists parallel to the Trade Council in each trade council.
- Every three years, the trade council elects twenty-five members to the Executive Committee.
- The office-bearers of the trade union shall be selected from among the Executive Committee representatives, and the President shall be selected from the trade with the most members.
Functions of SEWA
- Through a strategy involving struggle and development, SEWA enables women employees to achieve economic growth and independence.
- The struggle is also against the restrictions that society and the economy impose on such female workers. In addition, growth includes enhancing women’s bargaining power and providing them with better economic opportunities.
- Unions and cooperatives work collaboratively to implement this strategy.
