AHMEDABAD: Elaben Bhatt, the ‘gentle revolutionary’ who pioneered the movement to empower women in India and won global acclaim, died here on Wednesday. She founded Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), one of the biggest women-led cooperatives and national trade unions with 2.1 million-strong membership across 18 states.
Bhatt was 89 and is survived by her son Mihir, daughter-in-law and SEWA director Reema Nanavaty and two grandsons. Scores of leaders offered their tributes to Bhatt, who championed the cause of marginalized women, giving dignity, livelihood and leadership ability to millions at the grassroots level.
