Ela Bhatt

Elaben Bhatt (born September 7, 1933) is an Indian social activist, economist, and labor organizer who founded the Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) in 1972, revolutionizing labor movements in the developing world. Born in Gujarat, she initially practiced as a lawyer before dedicating her life to advocating for marginalized workers, particularly women in the informal economy who lacked legal protections or labor rights. SEWA grew from a small union into a massive organization representing hundreds of thousands of self-employed women—from street vendors to domestic workers—across India and expanding internationally. Bhatt's approach combined grassroots organizing, legal advocacy, cooperative economics, and microfinance, creating a comprehensive model for economic empowerment of the poorest women. Her work demonstrated that informal sector workers could collectively bargain and improve their conditions despite lacking formal employment relationships. Ela Bhatt has received numerous international honors, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award and recognition from the International Labour Organization, and is considered a pioneer of the global labor and women's rights movements. Her legacy extends beyond SEWA to influence development policy worldwide.