• Health and Sanitation in Batala, Gurdaspur District 

Members of SEWA Punjab were facing an utter lack of sanitation and hygiene facilities in Batala, Gurdaspur District of Punjab. Garbage would be strewn everywhere because of improper disposal mechanisms. During Monsoons, this would get exacerbated as the drains would get clogged, posing a threat to the health and safety of the community members.

The issue was addressed at SEWA Punjab mohalla meeting, owing to which an application was drafted by the women of the community to the municipal councillor. With no immediate call to action from the municipal council and delayed responses, the women got together and sent a letter to the Municipal Corporation signed by all the residents of the mohalla. The lack of concern on behalf of Municipal Corporation encouraged women to take up the issue with the Sub Divisional Magistrate. An application, with 741 signatories was sent, culminating into a positive response and an immediate call to action. Thanks to the group action and persistence of the women members who took necessary steps, yielded fruitful results in putting garbage collection mechanism in place.

• Power of Collective Action, -Moga District

In Moga, a domestic worker member was reported to the police by her employer on the pretext of stealing from their home, despite her 10 year long service to the house. She appealed to the police about her innocence, but to no avail. Later, she approached SEWA Punjab area in-charge and she was advised to communicate the matter openly. The matter was discussed with the other women in her community; collectively a group was formed and they accompanied her to the police station to show their support and assure the police that she was being wrongly accused. When the police saw several women coming to her aid and heard their side of the matter, they found it hard to believe the employer and let go of the complaint.