The Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) was established in December 1971 to assist illiterate, vulnerable and unorganized self-employed poor rural and urban women, including small farmers and off-farm workers, to escape from exploitation.

The aim of SEWA is to develop leadership capacities among women, paving the way for them to win their rights to security of employment, food, health, childcare, housing and social security. A priority focal area for SEWA is asset-building so that the women can claim their rightful place in the family and the village society.

Primarily in response to the felt needs of the self-employed women, SEWA has evolved considerably over the years. When 1975 was declared the beginning of Women's Decade, membership grew in more and more occupations. SEWA received international recognition when its General Secretary, Ela Bhatt, was awarded the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award.

Membership that was slightly over 6,000 in 1972 exceeded 300,000 by 2000. The SEWA Bank has attained financial viability. Video productions by women workers and the use of videos for training and policy action have been a very successful activity in SEWA's expansion. SEWAHomenet, with members from every continent, is an international network working towards full recognition of home-based rural and urban workers.