VimoSEWA celebrates 30 years of insuring women workers in the informal sector

Speaking at the celebration, Mirai Chatterjee, Director, SEWA Social Security and Founding Board Member, VimoSEWA said, “In the early years of VimoSEWA, we hardly imagined that we would be able to reach lakhs of women across the country with financial and social protection. It has been a journey rich with lessons of how to reach the poor, and especially the hard-working women of our country. We have not only learned that informal women workers are insurable, but also that such risk coverage is essential for women’s economic empowerment and self-reliance.”

Jayshreeben Vyas, Managing Director, SEWA Bank spoke about how insurance is a critical part of financial inclusion and needs to be incorporated in all financial services for women. She mentioned the importance of financial literacy and insurance education, and at all stages in women’s life-cycle.

Speaking of her own journey from being a garment worker to VimoSEWA’s Chairperson, Asha Ajmeri said “Our core values of solidarity, self-help and financial sustainability have helped us grow. Our members trust in us has also grown over the years. I was an informal worker managing to earn about Rs 4000 a month as a garment worker. Today I earn five times as much as a Vimo aagewan or insurance promoter. My life has changed forever. And I am glad that I am able to support other women like myself in their journey to self-reliance. “

Finally, Ruchi Agarwal, CEO of VimoSEWA explained that the organisations is doing all it can to live up to its motto of “VimoSEWA ka Haath Sankat me de Saath” —VimoSEWA supports all during crisis. She said, “VimoSEWA is expanding its reach and services with the help of digital technology. It has developed an app and many of its operations are now online. Women have adapted well to digital technology. This happened during the COVID-19 pandemic and we are building on lessons learned to digitise further.”

About National Insurance VimoSEWA Cooperative Ltd: https://sewainsurance.org/

National Insurance VimoSEWA Cooperative Ltd. is an insurance co-operative, aims to provide financial protection to the self-employed women workers and their families. We got registered in 2009 under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 with the Department of Agriculture and Cooperative, Ministry of Agriculture (GoI).

Our core values of Solidarity, Self-Help and Financial Sustainability, envision for a space where the members are able to attain the trust in the organization and align with its motto of “VimoSEWA ka Haath Sankat me de Saath” which roughly means that the VimoSEWA will be supporting each member in any kind of unforeseen crisis and unprecedented risk.

We at VimoSEWA do not only focus on Insurance services but also work towards member education and awareness about various aspects of social security and financial risk management.

VimoSEWA members are also integrated into much wider SEWA movement. The members have access to a wide range of services that are available through SEWA’s different sister organisations.

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