Self Employed Women's Association, Bharat (SEWA Bharat)

Finalist 2015

Approximately 304 million people lack energy access in India. Women are particularly affected, as they are mainly burdened with the household chores.

Attuned to Indian women’s needs and problems since 1984, the Self-Employed Women’s Association, Bharat, has worked passionately to promote women workers’ rights, livelihoods, financial independence, education, energy access, health and social security.

Since its inception, it has provided 75,000 women workers with small loans to purchase renewable energy products; it has sold customized renewable energy products and provided after sales service to lower income households; it aided 5,000 households with energy efficiency measures; and created an Innovation Center for the Poor to help its members meet their energy needs.