Ela Bhatt 1933 – 2022

Biography

Ela Bhatt was born on September 7, 1933, in Ahmedabad, India, during a transformative period in her nation’s history. Her life would become deeply intertwined with the struggles and aspirations of India’s most marginalized workers. Throughout her remarkable career, she dedicated herself to championing the rights and dignity of those whose labor often went unrecognized and unprotected by formal systems.

In her work as a social activist and organizer, Bhatt became a pioneering force for economic justice. She founded the Self-Employed Women’s Association of India, an organization that would fundamentally reshape how informal workers—particularly women—were viewed and valued in society. Through this institution, she created pathways for thousands of women to gain access to credit, healthcare, legal protections, and collective bargaining power.

Bhatt’s vision extended beyond individual economic improvement to systemic social change. She believed that organizing workers in the informal economy was essential to building a more equitable society. Her work earned recognition far beyond India’s borders, inspiring similar movements internationally and demonstrating the transformative power of grassroots organizing.

Ela Bhatt passed away on November 2, 2022, in her native city of Ahmedabad, leaving behind a profound legacy. Her life’s work continues to empower countless individuals and stands as a testament to what one person’s commitment to justice can achieve.