Sahakarita Volume 2 explores the meaning of freedom through the lens of women’s collective enterprises, marking 75 years of India’s independence while reflecting on the unfinished journey towards economic and social justice for informal women workers. Drawing connections between the freedom movement, the women’s movement, and the cooperative movement, the edition revisits the legacy of pioneers such as Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay and examines how their ideas continue to shape women-led collectives today.
Through stories of the Srujan programme, the Abodana Handicraft Cooperative, and historical accounts from the SEWA movement, the newsletter highlights how cooperatives create opportunities for livelihood security, leadership, dignity, and self-reliance. The volume ultimately argues that true freedom extends beyond political independence to include economic empowerment, collective ownership, and the ability of women to shape their own futures.
