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Annual General Meetings – The Cooperatives’ Way

At Megha Indigenous Women Farmers Cooperative

A Journey of Culture, Empowerment, and Financial Literacy

What does an AGM of an informal women workers’ cooperative look like? Picture a gathering where women who usually work in fields, homes, and small-scale industries come together as decision-makers, shaping the future of their businesses. Social businesses.

These women, with barely any visibility of their work at home or on fields/workspaces, take centre stage here. With every raised hand, they assert their voices and collectively decide the path of their own cooperatives.

Each Annual General Meeting of the cooperatives associated with SEWA is a reflection of its members’ trades and cultures, making every meeting unique. In a month filled with AGMs, different flavours emerged, giving us a glimpse into the diversity and strength of these cooperatives.

Cultures and Trades: Reflections in the AGMs

At Abodana, the handicraft cooperative, the women “wore their work” – their attire symbolised the crafts and skills they have honed for decades. 

At the AGM of Abodana Handicraft Cooperative

SEWA Sangini – the childcare cooperative, gave a homely vibe, with children also attending and creating a sense of cooperative togetherness.

At the AGM of Sangini Childcare Cooperative

Megha Indigenous Cooperative members in Tapi, infused their tribal identity into the AGM through traditional dance and attire, embodying the essence of their culture.

At Megha Indigenous Women Farmers Cooperative

Meanwhile, at Video SEWA, members documented the entire AGM themselves, wielding handy-cams and DSLR cameras to capture every moment, showcasing their technical prowess. 

Members of Video SEWA at work

Each AGM began with a prayer, followed by a review of the year’s activities. Financial matters were discussed openly, and plans for the upcoming year were shared, before opening the floor for members to question their boards. This transparency is key in a cooperative and all the more in an informal women workers cooperative, where democratic processes allow every woman member a say in the decisions that impact their collective future.

The Business Lens: Financial Literacy and Empowerment

While culture and community spirit are central, the AGMs also emphasise financial literacy. Cooperatives are social businesses, and for democratic enterprises like these, members play a crucial role in their success. Understanding the accounts and financial statements presented during the AGM is not just about numbers; it’s about wielding economic power.

The finances were transparent, with account statements printed and circulated through Annual Reports to all members. This ensured that every woman, from the oldest to the youngest, could follow the discussions and engage in the decision-making process. However, there is still a long road ahead with their average literacy level still remaining at primary level. In a world where they often lack control over household finances, understanding the cooperative’s accounts gives them newfound financial agency.

The Struggles and the Strength

The journey toward financial literacy and empowerment in these AGMs wasn’t easy. These women, who have long been denied a space in formal decision-making, now find themselves in a structure that demands their participation and leadership. The responsibility is immense. Their voice – not only takes their cooperative ahead it also strengthens families, villages and societies.

But these cooperatives with their process like that of an AGM creates a feeling of solidarity amongst these women. It offers them resilience in toughest of times often helping them in combating challenges and finding solutions together.

Conclusion

The AGMs revealed a stark gap between businesses that start with a level playing field and those that begin far behind. For the latter, growth depends heavily on access to essential services and the creation of an enabling environment. It is crucial that these cooperatives continuously acknowledge, and are reminded, that their voices and contributions matter—both to their own communities and to the nation’s growth.

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