An estimated 5 lakh street vendors cater to the needs of a large majority of the cities’ population by providing a variety of goods at lower prices often conveniently accessible. Yet, street vendors in Delhi have to deal with hostile surroundings and a very competitive market. They are frequently harassed for space and are extremely vulnerable to oppression at the hands of the authorities. Their situation has become all the more poignant in the wake of beautification drive as part of the Commonwealth Games to be held in October this year.

SEWA’s aim since the beginning has been securing a space for women street vendors where they can vend their goods with dignity. Since the time of its inception, SEWA has played a significant role in influencing policy level decisions.


SEWA Delhi Works with women street-vendors with the following objectives:

To organize the vendors and unite them so that they can fight for their rights.


















To work towards the implementation of National Policy for urban street vendors, 2004















To create more livelihood opportunities for the vendors





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To get licenses for the street vendors through the municipal authorities in order to get legal identity for street vendors.
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To create adequate and well planned hawker zones for the vendors where they can vend legally with dignity.
■ To represent the issues and concerns of the vendors to the concerned authorities.
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To protect the vendors from harassment and exploitation.
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To bring all SEWA members together and strengthen their union and to bargain with the government/municipal authorities.
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To protect the livelihood of the vendors by protecting their markets and not let them get removed in the name of beautification of the city.
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To develop leaders among the vendors and empower them so that they can advocate for the rights of their fellow workers.
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To improve the working conditions or work areas by developing ladies markets and beautifying them.
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To create model ladies market exclusively for women vendors.
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To develop old markets for improving working condition of vendors
■ To maintain hygiene in public spaces and streets.

Mahila Bazaar


After a struggle of 4 years SEWA Delhi  was successful in securing a market exclusively for women vendors where they can vend without any harassment. On 25th of November 2008, MCD gave permission to start All Women’s Market at Tagore Road. This market has been given to SEWA to be run on an experimental basis for 6 months after which it can be extended. The permitted Tehbazaari is on temporary basis where SEWA is given the space to run the market as per the rules of the municipal corporation. The market has been setup and is running on weekly basis. SEWA has been involved in beautifying the market to make it attractive for the local customers as well as for tourists. In this, SEWA is being assisted by well-known architect Mr. Pradeep Sachdeva.