The 28th IUF Congress, held in Geneva from June 13th to 16th, 2023, marked a significant moment for the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) and its 2.5 million members. During the congress, a resolution was passed to honor the late Shri Ela R. Bhatt, fondly known as Elaben, who founded SEWA in India. The resolution focused on achieving voice, visibility, and validation for women workers, particularly those in the informal economy.
In addition to recognizing Elaben’s contributions, the 28th IUF Congress also endorsed the proposal to establish November 2nd as a day dedicated to education, awareness, organizing, and empowerment of women in the informal economy. Every year on November 2nd, IUF affiliates will celebrate Elaben’s legacy and continue building upon her life’s work to empower women in the informal economy.
Representatives from 202 member organizations hailing from 85 countries attended the congress. Jyoti Macwan, the General Secretary of SEWA, represented our country at this event. In her speech, Jyotiben spoke on behalf of the 2.5 million SEWA members who are impoverished women working in the informal sector. She highlighted their collective commitment to building cleaner sky (Swachh Akash) women workers’ climate action, aiming for cleaner air, water, and soil. This initiative is driven by the desire to create “Cleaner, Purer Skies” for future generations.
Furthermore, SEWA’s and Jyoti Macwan’s contributions were acknowledged as she was elected to the executive committee of IUF as Alternate Vice President. This position also grants her admission to the Strategic Leadership Committee of IUF, further solidifying SEWA’s influence and presence in the international arena.
The 28th IUF Congress served as a platform to pay tribute to Elaben’s legacy, recognize the achievements of SEWA, and reaffirm the commitment to advancing the rights and well-being of women in the informal economy. The event showcased the collective determination of organizations and individuals from around the world to create a more inclusive and empowering future for women.
