The article retraces the origins and development of the cooperative movement among women workers in the informal sector of the economy that accounts for the majority of India’s labour force. The author explains, on the basis of her long personal experience, the challenges faced by the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA). She notes the opportunities that cooperative initiatives have opened up for inclusive growth and shared prosperity, through the availability of lines of credit and the ability to build up savings and access educational facilities. She argues that this process of empowerment is essential for achieving genuine personal and national development.
