Research

As a research organisation, our main objective is to support the organising, program development, and advocacy campaigns of SEWA with an ultimate goal of using our research findings to influence policies and advocate for the rights and welfare of women in the informal economy. 

Our research is not merely an academic exercise but rather a practical tool to guide action and bring about positive change for women in the informal economy. The focus has always been on the life and work of the poor self-employed women workers, an action-oriented approach, seeking impact at the policy level.

Through our research initiatives, we strive to understand how government policies and the economic development process impact the lives of women working in the informal sector. We focus on grassroots issues and local development contexts, and document alternative solutions that have been successful at the local level. 

Our research findings have been used as the basis to influence policymakers and call for widespread policy change at national and international levels. Our research has also been used by other organisations to formulate, test, or evaluate their own interventions.

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How it started

In 1971, before SEWA was even realised, SEWA’s founder, Elaben Bhatt, was approached by several migrant women working as head-loaders in Ahmedabad, who wanted her help in finding shelter for themselves. During this meeting, Elaben’s questions happened to unveil the pattern of exploitation by the traders who cheated and underpaid these women. In order to confront the traders, Elaben conducted a quick survey that documented the scope and the nature of exploitation. 

Since then, research has been an integral part of SEWA. This first survey helped to pave the way for all of SEWA’s following research, which has played a crucial role in shaping and developing SEWA, not only as an organisation but also as a movement.

Who are our Grassroot Researchers?

The Research Division of the IASEW builds the capacity of its members by grassroots researcher training, thus building a cadre of grassroots researchers and establishing a decentralised research structure. 

Started by the Academy in 1998, this had manifold benefits on IASEW’s research– not only does the training of members build their capacity, it gives them self-confidence and marketable skill. It makes them more analytical and critical in their observation and understanding. 

They are also ideally placed to reach out to other informal women workers as they do not need to worry about building rapport with the subjects of IASEW’s research studies. As they are from the same community, they are able to efficiently gain more reliable results.

Our Approach

Types of Research we Offer

IASEW conducts various types of socio economic research, from impact evaluations to technical studies, longitudinal studies, baseline and end-line evaluation studies of SEWA’s internal programmes, socio-economic surveys, and diagnostic studies.  

Our main focus is on linking grassroots issues to the local development context, to government policies and to the economic development process in general.

Research Methodologies

  • A mix of quantitative and qualitative tools and methods, including online and in-person grassroots surveys, focus group discussions, personal interviews, and other methods of participatory research.

Research Outputs

  • Research Findings , Process Documentation, Project Case Studies and Individual Profiles 
  • Impact Studies and Monitoring & Evaluation Studies 
  • Historical Documentation of SEWA Members’ Struggles for Economic and Social Security

Research Training and Collaboration

  • Grassroots research training
  • Collaborative Research and Studies 
  • Implementation Partnerships for Grassroots Interventions 
  • Internship Programmes

Our Work

Ascertaining the Impact of Trade and Trade Agreements on the Informal Sector

Low Female Employment in the period of High Growth: Insights from Primary Survey in U.P. & Gujarat

Vendors and Service Providers

Challenges of Organising the Migrant Workers: Reflections from Delhi

Occupational Health and Security Study

Organisational Partnerships

Research studies and trainings have been conducted by IASEW in association with various organisations. Some of our partners are state and central level, educational and research institutions, international organisations and government departments

Impact created in the last 30 years

360

Research Studies on Various Socio-
Economic Topics

300

Publications in collaboration with state, national & International Organisations

30

Monitoring & Evaluation Studies of around 350 SEWA interventions & campaigns

Support our Mission

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.