Indian Academy For Self Employed Women

The array of capacity-building programs spans leadership, technical expertise, communication skills, and various other training modules.
Although most of the training initiatives are centred around SEWA members, the Exposure Dialogue Programme caters to a wider audience, including government and bank officials, policymakers, educators, researchers, social workers, and other professionals.
It collaborates with organizations to curate customized programs that cater to their specific requirements. During these collaborations, the training team shares expertise with partner organizations, ensuring a comprehensive and enriched training program.

IASEW commenced its literacy programs in 1992 following the expressed need for education among SEWA members. These programs are tailored to address specific member requirements, ensuring that classes are both easily comprehensible and practically useful for various member groups—such as home-based workers and street vendors—each with their distinct educational needs.
The curriculum adheres to a comprehensive and pragmatic concept of literacy, emphasizing functional literacy. In addition to traditional literacy skills, the program encompasses social awareness, navigating governmental resources, and understanding the digital realm.
Given IASEW's strong focus on member-oriented learning, instructors are selected from the community, undergo rigorous training, and have regular meetings with supervisors. Classes, limited to a maximum of 20 students and spanning six months, are conducted either at the teacher's or supervisor's home or at a SEWA center.

The women attending literacy classes expressed a desire for a magazine club catering to their daughters. This is how Akashganga began. Established in 1996, this printed magazine is published monthly in Gujarati and is dedicated to fostering the comprehensive development of adolescent girls. It is a product of the girls' creative talents, serving as a platform where they serve as writers, artists, and editors. They actively contribute their original artwork, stories, quizzes, puzzles, poems, and articles that span diverse subjects, covering topics ranging from health, history, to science. The club convenes every Saturday for two hours.

Cultural programs are orchestrated to foster harmony among religions and to exhibit the talents of women and girls from the SEWA community. These events attract enthusiastic participation from women and girls who, until then, might not have had exposure to community halls or stage performances. Through thematic skits, Garba and Raas folk dances, Adivasi dancing, role-playing, and folk music, these programs serve as a platform to convey crucial messages about social empowerment. Simultaneously, they celebrate and educate about the diverse and vibrant cultures prevalent in India.

Research has been integral to SEWA's journey from its inception, contributing significantly to positive transformations in the lives of informal women workers. Rather than remaining dormant on bookshelves, research at SEWA is actively shared and utilized as a guiding force for action.
To date, SEWA has undertaken over 140 studies encompassing impact evaluations, technical assessments, censuses, longitudinal studies, baseline surveys, socio-economic analyses, and diagnostic inquiries.
In addition to fulfilling internal research requirements, SEWA Research collaborates on commissioned studies with external organizations and engages in joint research initiatives.

Anasooya, established in 1982, stands as a bimonthly newsletter serving as a platform to share the experiences, thoughts, and endeavours of women working in the informal sector. This newsletter acts as a bridge connecting SEWA members and other self-employed workers, transcending geographical, social, and cultural barriers. Published in Gujarati, Anasooya aims to elevate women's issues to a broader scope and discussion.

Since its establishment in 1984, Video SEWA has strived to democratize technology and harness the power of video for developmental communication. Producing numerous tapes and over a hundred programs focusing on organization, training, and advocacy, Video SEWA reaches not only villagers and slum dwellers in Gujarat but also policymakers in Delhi and Washington.
Over time, video has seamlessly integrated into SEWA's endeavours. For women workers and SEWA members, Video SEWA serves as both an informative resource and a source of inspiration.

SEWA Radio recognizes the potency of radio as a compelling educational and communicative tool, reaching even the most remote Indian villages, where members, including home-based workers, avidly engage with radio content while they work.
SEWA leverages diverse radio programs to expand its outreach, offering women a platform to discuss their concerns and issues, educate members about government initiatives, disseminate health and hygiene information, and enhance awareness about the SEWA organization.

In April 2005, SEWA introduced its inaugural community radio initiative, "Rudi no Radio" (Rudi's Radio). This program was named in homage to SEWA's pioneer member, Rudi, who contributed to extending the association's reach to rural regions. Originally, the show comprised a weekly 15-minute broadcast, produced by SEWA staff specifically for a rural audience. In each episode, the host, Rudiben, engages in informal discussions with villagers, addressing topics relevant to them as women and labourers. The program has expanded to the Ahmedabad-Vadodara area on All India Radio-Ahmedabad (AIR-Ahm.) and, based on listener feedback, reaches an estimated 500,000 weekly listeners.

IASEW students engage in diverse trades and often require additional skillsets to access better employment opportunities.
Addressing this necessity, IASEW initiated the Skill Education and Communication Centres program in 2008. Positioned in community spaces to alleviate transportation costs and minimize work hour losses for students, these centres evaluate SEWA members' existing skills and offer programs to update or enhance these abilities. The programmes encompass a range of skills including traditional practices like incense rolling and kite making, as well as new proficiencies in tailoring, beauty care, soft toy crafting, and jewellery making.
Participants in these programmes have observed a significant improvement in employment rates, rising from 26 to 50 percent, along with a doubling of their monthly income. They have also developed savings habits, with an average reported savings of Rs. 1,300.

The programme spans three days. Initially, participants delve into SEWA's history, principles, and guidance on interacting within women's households. Subsequently, they spend 24 hours fully immersed in the daily lives and homes of impoverished, working women. Upon their return, participants engage in reflective sessions guided by questions that explore their impressions, expectations, acquired insights, and newfound understandings.
Further dialogue centres on deeper discussions regarding the social, familial, and economic challenges these women encounter. The conversation expands to consider potential steps both individuals and the organization can take to advance SEWA's mission.