Since its inception in 1991, the Indian Academy for Self Employed Women (formerly known as SEWA Academy) has been instrumental in driving change and strengthening women’s capacities toward self-reliance and full employment.
We serve as a dedicated platform for educating women workers in the informal sector, providing resources and space for their comprehensive development.
Training is one of our strategies to increase employability of our members, to prevent their crowding into low-paid, unskilled employment, in limited occupations, and to promote upward mobility and improve their status as women workers.
Our Exposure Dialogue Programme (EDP) aims to bridge the knowledge gap between impoverished women workers and those who make decisions that impact their lives, such as government officials, policymakers, researchers, and social activists.
Our research initiatives are dedicated to guiding action and bringing about positive change for women in the informal economy, by influencing policies and advocate for their rights and welfare.
Our literacy programs are a part of our commitment to making education accessible for all. We understand that every woman’s journey to literacy is unique, and address this through curriculum that resonates with participants’ real-life experiences and needs, delivered in the language that they understand.
Through print and electronic media, we aim to connect self-employed women to each other, to the public, to policy makers and to other government officials. Our platforms work towards sharing the organization’s work and research, educating members, and expanding membership.
Research Studies
Publications
Women Trained
EDPs Conducted
Films Produced
Members Trained
Our work with children and adolescent girls to equip them with skills and knowledge to expand their horizons into the mainstream economy.
Our work with women of the informal sector to develop self-reliance and self-identity, and develop into empowered members of the work force.
Our work with the first generation of SEWA members who have transitioned into their senior years to provide them with awareness, assistance, and support to live a healthy retired life.
With its roots and head office in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, IASEW’s programs and activities are spread in 14 districts in Gujarat and across 12 states in India.
We also have footprints in 14 countries across the world.
In the year 2003, the Video SEWA Cooperative was honoured with this state award in recognition of their distinctive approach as a unique cooperative and for their successful integration of technology into their work.
In 2007, Video SEWA’s “My Life My Work” earned the Social Documentary Award at the Guidonia Film Festival, Italy, standing out among 310 entries and selected as one of 13 finalists.
7th April 2011, The Community Rudi no Radio Station received two awards in the First CEMCA Community Radio Awards for good practices 2011.
During the year 2011-2012, the Video SEWA Cooperative was honoured with this state award in recognition of their distinctive approach as a unique cooperative and for their successful integration of technology into their work.
In 2013, Video SEWA’s Leelaben Dantaani received the “Pratham Tejaswini Award” from Doordarshan, recognizing her significant contributions as a grassroot videographer.
In 2013, the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting awarded IASEW’s community radio station, Rudi no Radio, with two accolades at the Third National Community Radio Sammelan held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
In the Year 2019, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Government of India for its most Creative/Innovative Category programme.
Every organisation and every person has the capacity to make a concrete difference in informal workers lives. Your contribution makes a tangible impact to our cause, providing resources for education, training, and advocacy programs. Join us in our efforts towards building a dignified future for all.
IASEW is the focal point for all of SEWA’s training, capacity building, research and communication efforts.