From Access to Action: Strengthening Rights, Opportunities and Social Protection for Home-Based Workers

Contributed by SEWA Bharat

Connecting Home-Based Workers to Artisan Cards in Bihar

Home-based workers often find it difficult to access government schemes, social security, and market opportunities because they are not connected to formal systems. Artisan Cards help bridge this gap by linking artisans to support such as skill development, social protection and market opportunities. They can also help eligible workers access increased old-age pension benefits and opportunities to participate in exhibitions outside their state. In Bihar, Mohalla Meetings and SEWA Shakti Kendra (SSK) centres are helping create this last-mile link. Through Mohalla Meetings, workers are identified and informed about the Artisan Card, while SSK centres support them with the application and documentation process. So far, around 52 home-based workers have received Artisan Cards through this process.

The cards are already creating new opportunities. Workers have been able to display and sell their products at Udyog Melas, while also gaining opportunities for skill development and wider market exposure. 
Two home-based workers from Patna, Munniben and Manoramaben, recently received their Artisan Cards. They have now been allowed to showcase their work at an Udyog Mela being organised in Bihar later this month.

This experience shows how simple, local support through Mohalla Meetings and SSK centres can connect home-based workers to social security, skills and markets, helping their work gain greater recognition and visibility.

From Awareness to Action: Home-Based Workers Engaging with Legal Institutions

A key achievement this year has been strengthening the ability of home-based women workers to access and engage with government institutions when they face challenges. Through regular meetings and exposure to public institutions, women are becoming more aware of their rights, available services, and the support they can seek from government authorities.

In April, an exposure visit was organised for Agewans (grassroot women leaders) to the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA). The visit helped them understand the legal services available to women, particularly those facing violence, family disputes and other challenges. Agewans interacted directly with DLSA officials and learned how women can seek legal advice, mediation and other forms of support. The impact of this engagement was visible soon after. Two Agewans from Nasriganj independently approached the DLSA office to seek support for their own family disputes. They presented their concerns directly to Mediation Officer Dr. Pankaj Kumar Pandey and Advocate Rekha Parmar and received guidance on the way forward.

This is an important step in building agency and accountability among home-based workers. Women who previously hesitated to step outside their homes are now increasingly confident in approaching public institutions, raising their concerns and seeking solutions.

The experience demonstrates a shift from simply knowing about government services to actively using and engaging with them. By building awareness, confidence and leadership, the programme is helping home-based women workers move closer to claiming their rights and holding institutions accountable for delivering the services available to them.