SEWA Communication

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Anasooya

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About Us

Communication is a very important aspect of poor, self employed women’s lives and struggles. These women communicate in their own way and with various groups in society. Over the years, SEWA has found that communication, the transfer of information, plays a very crucial role in the lives of poor women workers. Thus there is a great need for communication, between groups of self employed women, and between them and the public, policy planners and other government officials. There is also a need for workers to obtain information on various issues: legal, health, nutrition, and government policies and programmes for the self employed, including national development plans and programmes.

By communicating thus, they are inspired by and draw strength from each other, and a sense of solidarity and unity develops among them.

Self employed workers also need to communicate their needs, their concerns and experiences to the public at large. The middle class public is, by and large, unaware of poor women’s reality. Workers encounter prejudice, discrimination and even abuse from other sections of society. With greater communication, the public begins to become aware of poor women’s very existence and their contribution to society. A sense of working together and learning from each other may also develop.

Knowledge and information on various issues of importance to them like legislation and health, never reach self employed workers. Nor do they obtain information on existing government and non-government programmes and policies which could have an impact on their lives and struggles. SEWA has been attempting to share this information with women, recognising that it has an important role to play in their struggles. Once this information is communicated to the workers, attempts are made to utilise this for purpose of action. Thus providing information on a multitude of issues affecting worker’s lives itself can support and encourage the process of organizing.

SEWA has also explored several channels to support members in their communication efforts. These include “Ansooya” – SEWA’s fortnightly news letter in Gujarati, “Akashganga” – monthly magazine for adolescent girls, “We the Self Employed” - SEWA’s electronic newsletter which is publish in English, its aims to reach policy makers, programme planners and a wider national and international audience. Video SEWA – the video unit run by SEWA members, “Rudi no Radio” – well equipped Radio Studio run by SEWA members. Through these electronic media spread the information to the community. SEWA academy introduces different communication method to improve knowledge and information, capacity building for informal sector worker.

SEWA Academy

"Krishna Bhuvan", Nr. Hariharanand Ashram, Opp. Town Hall, Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad - 380006. INDIA. Phone: +91-79-26577115, 26580474 Fax: +91-79-26587708
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