FLO Ahmedabad, led by Chairperson Madhu Banthia, held a meeting with SEWA Cooperative Federation, a non-profit organization that supports women-led cooperatives to achieve full employment for women workers in the informal sector. The meeting was convened to explore avenues of collaboration between FLO Ahmedabad and SEWA Cooperative Federation.
The discussion aimed to identify potential areas where both organizations can work together towards empowering women through cooperative initiatives, skill development, and sustainable livelihood opportunities. Past Chair Ms. Pavani Agarwal graced the event with her presence. Also, Ms. Mirai Chatterjee, Chairperson, and team members from SEWA Cooperative Federation talk about the organization’s objectives and impact.
Key Discussions
- Introduction & Context Setting
- Ms. Pavani Agarwal, Past Chair of FLO Ahmedabad, facilitated the introduction and set the context for the meeting.
- Both organizations shared their ongoing initiatives, achievements, and the scope of work in women’s empowerment and community development.
- Presentation by SEWA Cooperative Federation
- Ms. Mirai Chatterjee and her team elaborated on SEWA’s structure, objectives, and impact over the years.
- Key focus was placed on their cooperative model, which provides livelihood security and collective strength to women workers in the informal economy.
- Areas of Synergy
- Both organizations recognized overlapping missions in skill-building, entrepreneurship, and financial empowerment of women.
- The need for knowledge exchange, resource sharing, and joint programs was highlighted.
- Future Collaboration
- Agreement in principle to formalize the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
- Collaborative projects to be designed around capacity building, market linkages, and advocacy for women-led enterprises.
Outcomes & Next Steps
- Consensus: Both parties agreed that collaboration will strengthen women-centric initiatives in Gujarat and beyond.
- Action Plan: Drafting of an MoU to outline the scope, framework, and responsibilities of both organizations.
- Follow-Up: A joint team will be appointed to finalize modalities and create a roadmap for implementation.
The meeting concluded on an optimistic note with a strong commitment from both FLO Ahmedabad and SEWA Cooperative Federation to work together in areas of mutual interest. This collaboration is expected to pave the way for impactful initiatives aimed at enhancing the economic and social well-being of women.