SEWA Federation Panjrapole, Ahmedabad

Gujarat State Womens SEWA Co-operative Federations history can be traced back to the struggle for workers rights led by the Self-Employed Womens Association (SEWA). Since its inception in 1971 and recognition in 1972, the SEWA trade union has worked actively to promote the rights of women working in the informal economy. But, alongside the struggle for rights was the existing need of the women to earn a livelihood. SEWA initiated several cooperatives for these workers, across sectors. SEWA believes that the cooperative model creates fair employment and decent work, accounting for the needs of women in the informal economy.