Sister Organizations

The SEWA movement is comprised of a network of institutions and grassroots organisations. These institutions work collectively to address the systemic barriers and challenges that prevent women in the informal sector from achieving full economic and social independence and self-reliance.

Shri Gujarat Mahila Lok Swasthya Sewa Sahakari Mandali Ltd.

Lok Swasthya is a state-level health cooperative in Gujarat. The primary objectives of the cooperative are to provide life-saving, preventive health information/education and to provide low cost, appropriate curative services at women’s doorsteps. It also helps women and their families get access to referral care. Lok Swasthya has overcome many delivery and informational gaps that prevent care from reaching women in the informal sector.

Shree Mahila Sewa Sahakari Bank Ltd.

Since 1974, the SEWA Bank has revolutionized financial services for low-income communities. SEWA Bank provides access to financial capital and traditional banking services to women in the informal sector in order to grow their businesses, invest in education and their children, and diversify their assets. SEWA Bank vanguard approaches have reached hundreds of thousands of women across India.

SEWA Academy

SEWA Academy is the focal point for all of SEWA’s training, capacity building, research and communication efforts. SEWA Academy has been creating grassroots-led movements through information and capacity building since 1991.


Women in the informal sector are vulnerable to economic shocks due to health emergencies, natural disasters, macroeconomic stability, and other factors. VimoSEWA delivers micro-insurance products to SEWA members, in order to protect against any emergency.

Gujarat Mahila Housing SEWA Trust (MHT)

For many women in the informal sector, production is done within the home. MHT provides women and families with housing and infrastructure improvements. Since 1994, MHT’s programs address basic civic and housing infrastructure needs, including water, sanitation, drainage, solid waste management, roads, electricity/energy, low-income housing and secured land tenure. MHT facilitates access to information and financial, legal and technical services in housing, water and sanitation, energy, housing finance, climate change, urban planning, construction related livelihood sectors with a focus on improving the quality of lives and livelihoods of poor women.

SEWA Trade Facilitation Centre (STFC)

STFC is comprised of 15,000 artisans in Gujarat, who produce handcrafted products that protect and promote the traditional art and crafts of the region. STFC sells their products under a private label, Hansiba.

Sewa Gram Mahila Haat (SGHM)

SGMH is comprised of village-based producers’ groups from 9 districts, cooperatives, and district level associations. With the Gujarat Government’s support, over 80,000 producers in rural areas are finding markets for their products through SGHM’s marketing and economic linkage support.

Sewa Manager ni School (SMS)

SMS was founded in 2005 to equip grassroots women with management skills to successfully run small enterprises and businesses.

Shri Mahila SEWA Anasooya Trust

Anasooya is a Hindi newspaper that highlights the experiences, struggles, and successes of SEWA’s members and communities. Since 1982, Anasooya has told the stories of women in the informal sector and allowed a voice to be given to underserved communities throughoutIndia.