SEWA Bharat in Publications

This issue brief describes how women in the informal economy are adapting to unpredictable weather, heat and migration pressures through community cooperation, resilient crops and alternative livelihoods. The brief calls for inclusive climate action that centres informal economy women workers through stronger social protection, recognition of their labour and access to climate-smart livelihoods.

This issue brief examines how extreme heat, worsened by climate change, severely impacts informal economy women workers in India, reducing their income, health and productivity. It calls for climate-resilient infrastructure, awareness programmes and financial protection measures to strengthen women’s resilience.

This issue brief explores the vital role of informal economy women workers in India’s green transition. Drawing on insights from over 1,100 SEWA members, it highlights their contributions to climate resilience and calls for inclusive policies and support to ensure a just and equitable shift towards sustainability.

The scoping study by SEWA Bharat in Bihar examines how climate change impacts women informal workers in urban settlements. It identifies the most climate-vulnerable districts and assesses the capacity of Urban Local Bodies to address climate risks, aiming to strengthen partnerships for climate-resilient planning and governance.

Recognising the necessity of a digital presence in today’s world, SEWA Bharat, along with Digital for Nonprofits (D4NP) embarked on a digitisation initiative to position SSKs as digital nodal points, bridging the gap between vulnerable communities and vital resources. This report encapsulates the journey of SEWA Bharat’s digitisation initiative for its SSKs.

SEWA Bharat has collaborated with Social Development Direct to build evidence on how climate change is impacting informal economy women workers in India and how they are responding. The aim of the study is also to better understand how SEWA Bharat and external organisations can support informal economy women workers to bolster their agency, as we seek pathways towards a just transition to a green economy.

SEWA Bharat, in partnership with USAID, has made significant strides in empowering women by nurturing entrepreneurial aspirations and supporting their growth journeys. Recognizing that quality childcare is essential for unlocking the full potential of women’s labor force participation, this project focuses on providing quality childcare support to women in the informal economy, with assistance from USAID. This factsheet outlines the key aspects of our initiative, which is paving the way for sustainable economic empowerment of women.

This factsheet highlights the findings from 5 states, Delhi, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab, in terms of financial inclusion for informal women workers. It also sheds light on the major sources of income for these women, their borrowings and access to smartphones. 

On 22nd March, 2023, SEWA Bharat held a T20 Side Event titled ‘Women as Active Participants and Propellers of Economic Growth – Focusing on Livelihoods and Care Infrastructure.’ The recommendations from this event were presented to the Chief Coordinator of G20, Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla. The purpose of the document is to provide suggestions on ways to increase women’s participation in the economy, ultimately translating into actionable points for the acceleration of gender-sensitive SDGs as part of T20.