Putting Women Forward

Leelavati Ben, a woman microentrepreneur at SEWA Shakti Kendra, Bikaner in Rajasthan. (Photograph courtesy SEWA Bharat)

Gender equality and women’s empowerment have long been a part of the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) programs and partnerships, which are rooted in deliberate action necessary to ensure opportunity and benefits for all. One such example is its partnership with SEWA Bharat, an all-India federation of the Self Employed Women’s Association, which has been crucial in helping women join the formal workforce, and get the necessary mentorship and support to become part of India’s thriving economy.

Toward self-sufficiency

In 2020, SEWA Bharat and USAID teamed up to launch the Udyami: Building Resilient Women Entrepreneurs program, which enabled women microentrepreneurs and women-led collective social enterprises to thrive through the pandemic and in a post-COVID economy. “USAID’s work with SEWA Bharat started during a really trying time,” says Dr. Sharmila Neogi, adviser on adolescent health and gender with USAID/India’s health office. “The COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdowns in India adversely and disproportionately impacted women-owned small businesses and microenterprises.”

The program for entrepreneurs is “a large-scale project aimed at advancing the rights and capacities of women-owned nano, micro and collective social enterprises and increasing their access to finance, infrastructure, markets, assets and digital literacy, during and beyond the COVID-19 period,” explains Sonal Sharma, project coordinator at SEWA Bharat. The program, she adds, has not only supported women’s economic freedom and security but has also contributed to improved economic and health outcomes for women and their families.

The vision is to facilitate women micro-entrepreneurs and women’s collective social enterprises to come together, while also encouraging girls in communities to form supportive youth groups to challenge social norms including early marriage, interrupted education and cyberbullying.

Linking climate and health

USAID considers the climate impacts of all its work and identifies opportunities to adapt and transform health interventions and systems, wherever possible. “Implementing climate-resilient policies with a gendered perspective is crucial,” explains Dr. Neogi. Through initiatives like Udyami program, women micro-entrepreneurs in Phulia, West Bengal, actively collaborate with local weavers to explore the circular and climate-friendly nature of their weaving processes.

USAID, in partnership with the Government of India and other partners, also facilitates access to health care services, shares Dr. Neogi. For example, USAID’s Udyami program helped Premlata from Rajasthan, who stitches garments and rolls papad, to enroll in a government-funded health insurance scheme. Additionally, digital and financial literacy training helped her start using digital payment platforms and market her stitching work. This allows her to showcase her craftsmanship to potential customers through digital platforms like WhatsApp.

Rita Ben and fellow microentrepreneurs pack incense sticks (agarbattis) in Phulia, West Bengal. (Photograph courtesy SEWA Bharat)

Fostering inclusive entrepreneurship

Sita Ben, a 20-year-old micro-entrepreneur from Dariapur village, Bihar, manages her in-laws’ store and does seasonal agricultural work. Initially describing her work simply as “working at home,” she later elaborated on her challenges after attending a SEWA Bihar meeting. She received a smartphone through the Udyami program supported by USAID. “When I did not have a smartphone, customers who had switched to online payments found it difficult to pay. Some people have even duped us by saying that they don’t have cash and would end up not paying at all,” she says. “Now, through WhatsApp groups, I receive information on relevant schemes for micro-entrepreneurs like myself,” she adds, highlighting its usefulness in accessing government schemes and improving her business operations.

During COVID-19, SEWA Ruaab, a handicraft and handmade brand run and owned by women artisans, trained artisans in mask-making, which not only increased their revenue but also enhanced their visibility. USAID’s ongoing support helps to expand their skills and product range, securing orders from domestic pret brands like Suta and Fabindia. The annual income for artisans rose by 40 percent in 2022-23. SEWA Ruaab’s participation in local exhibitions and corporate events has boosted their sales, contributing to post-pandemic recovery efforts.

Sahrin Ben, a 24-year-old micro-entrepreneur from Rampura, Bikaner, discovered her passion for fashion design during the pandemic. With support from SEWA Rajasthan and other programs, she bought a sewing machine to scale up her business. Leveraging social media, she now earns up to Rs. 10,000 monthly and supports her family. USAID’s Udyami program further empowered her by providing documentation assistance and health management training.

Support networks

USAID’s Udyami program also runs women-friendly need-based centers, known as SEWA Shakti Kendras. These centers raise awareness, facilitate access and establish connections to government-run social security schemes related to childcare, health care, housing, water and sanitation, fuel and food. Although primarily aimed at women, these centers extend their services to the broader community, with the goal of including entire families in existing social security schemes. This strategic approach seeks to gradually alleviate the care work burden on women. “These centers also serve as feminist spaces in the community,” says Sharma, “enhancing the visibility of women’s work and providing them with a dedicated workspace.”

Accelerating into the future

Building on its work, earlier this year, USAID launched the Women’s Health and Livelihood Alliance in India, a multistakeholder initiative designed to empower women in underserved communities across the country by addressing the intersecting aspects of their health and economic wellbeing. The program will provide career development and job opportunities for women, and expand their access to sexual and reproductive health care—services that promote gender equity and economic security for women.

Paromita Pain is an assistant professor of Global Media Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno.

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