National News 2025-05-01

Women Street Vendors' Meeting Highlights Empowerment and Rights of Women in Street Vending

Mahesh Dhoundiyal - Delhi

Celebrating Labour Day & 11th Year of Street Vendors Act

The National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) organised a momentous Women Street Vendors’ Meeting in Delhi, gathering over 300 women street vendors from various parts of the city, including Sarojini Nagar, Trilokpuri, Madanpur Khadar, India Gate, Rohini, and Harkesh Nagar. The event, held at the NDMC Convention Centre, celebrated the vital role of women in the street vending ecosystem while advocating for their rights and empowerment.

Sangeeta Singh, Head of the Street Food Program at NASVI, opened the meeting with an interactive session titled "Humari Kahani, Humari Zubaani," allowing vendors to share their stories, challenges, and perspectives on the significance of International Labour Day.

The meeting was inaugurated by key officials from various government bodies, reaffirming their commitment to supporting women vendors. Notable dignitaries included:

• Mr. Gavali Parag Harshad, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

• Ms. Ashwini Lal, Additional Development Commissioner, Office of DC (MSME), Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

• Dr. Debolina Kundu, Director (Additional Charge), National Institute of Urban Affairs

• Ms. Delina Khongdup, Member, National Commission for Women

• Mr. Neeraj Kumar, Assistant Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of Delhi

• Mr. Anil Chopra, Trustee, Wingify Foundation,

• Dr. Taruna Saxena, Head – Sustainability & Societal Initiatives, Nestlé India,

• Mr. Arbind Singh, National Coordinator, NASVI

In his inaugural address, Arbind Singh, National Coordinator of NASVI, highlighted the crucial role of women in the informal sector, emphasizing that women vendors are the backbone of urban markets. “Empowering women vendors is essential for inclusive urban development. Their leadership must be recognized and supported at every level,” he said. Singh also discussed NASVI’s current initiatives, including financial awareness programs and food safety training for street food vendors, and called for greater participation of women in the formalization process through the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014.

As part of the event, several vendors shared their success stories. Neelam, a vegetable vendor, spoke about maintaining hygiene in her work, while Rajani from Madanpur Khadar shared how NASVI helped her transition from bakery training to becoming a successful micro-entrepreneur. Other speakers included Kanchan Devi, who stressed the importance of food safety, and Usha, who spoke about livelihood support through NASVI’s initiatives.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the “10 Pointers for the Needs of Street Vendors,” which all the attendees unanimously accepted. Issues such as eviction, lack of facilities, and harassment by authorities were raised by vendors, with a call for greater cooperation and support from the authorities to address these challenges.

This meeting served as an empowering forum for women vendors, providing them with a platform to share their experiences, voice their concerns, and engage directly with policymakers and institutional representatives. NASVI continues to advocate for the rights and recognition of women street vendors across India, striving to create an inclusive and supportive environment for their growth and success.

Mahesh Dhoundiyal - Delhi

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