Earning their keep and keeping what they earn: A critique of organizing strategies for South Asian women in the informal sector

Abstract:
This article looks at the existing literature on informal women‟s organisations in South Asia. It compares the different strategies in order to evaluate the challenges and opportunities of this kind of organising. The organisations that are mentioned include Proshika and BRAC in Bangladesh, AWARE, SEWA, WWF, and CDF in India and the Aga Khan Rural Support Program in Northern Pakistan. These organisations range from unions to NGOs; cooperatives; and financial institutions, often blurring the boundaries and operating on several levels. Organising strategies that are covered include service provision (access to housing or training programs); advocacy to government; help in business management; access to credit and other financial assistance; and negotiations with employers. It is argued that the women‟s organizations face the double challenge of promoting gender equality in the society at the same time as advocating for pro-poor policies.