Towards a just, humane, inclusive, equitable, and eco-friendly society.
“Shramajivi Mahila Samit (SMS) began in 1990 by organizing women in the unorganized sector and was formally registered in 1995 in the undivided state of Bihar. Since then, SMS has advanced gender equality, socio-economic rights, livelihoods, and ecological justice, while strengthening rural women’s organizations and their access to land and resources.”
What we do
From working with local communities to collaborating with various not-for-profits and civil society organizations, our work seeks to further our vision
Women Empowerment
Strengthening women’s voices, leadership, and rights to build inclusive, equitable, and sustainable communities.
Local Democracy
Strengthening community voices in decision-making, for inclusive, accountable, and equitable governance.
Climate change and Sustainable livelihood
Building resilience through eco-friendly practices, securing livelihoods while protecting nature.
Inclusion & Equality for Non-binary and Vulnerable Groups
Challenging stigma and discrimination, creating spaces of dignity, respect, and acceptance.
Youth for Change
Nurturing young leaders as the new torchbearers, driving inclusion, equality, and sustainable futures.
Our Work in Women Empowerment
For over three decades, Shramajivi Mahila Samity (SMS) has placed women at the center of its mission. From single women and rural workers to tribal and marginalized communities, SMS empowers women to challenge inequality, gain access to resources, and become leaders of social change.
SMS strengthens Mahila Sabhas and women-led associations, ensuring women’s voices are represented in governance and decision-making spaces.
Grassroots Leadership
Through the Empower Single Women Association (ENSS), SMS mobilizes over 40,000 single women across 12 districts, advocating for dignity, livelihood, and inclusion in state policies.
Single Women’s Rights
More than 3,000 single women have secured individual and collective land rights through SMS’s mobilization efforts, enabling long-term economic independence.
Land and Livelihood Security
SMS has led state-level campaigns against witch-hunting, harmful superstitions, and gender-based violence, while supporting survivors to access justice and rehabilitation.
Ending Violence & Discrimination
SMS has played a critical role in shaping the State Women Policy, ensuring recognition of single women’s issues, and representing women’s concerns in labour, legal, and governance committees.
Policy & Advocacy
Our Work in Local Governance
Shramajivi Mahila Samity (SMS) believes that democracy begins at the grassroots. By empowering women and marginalized
communities to actively engage in Gram Sabhas, Mahila Sabhas, and local self-governance structures, SMS ensures that
governance is not only representative but also inclusive and gender-sensitive.
Promoting Women’s Participation
Strengthened Mahila Sabhas as vibrant forums for women to voice their concerns, influence decisions, and demand accountability in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
Capacity Building for Communities
Training community leaders—especially women and excluded groups—on PESA, FRA, and PRI frameworks, enabling them to assert their rights and shape local development priorities.
Land & Resource Governance
Mobilizing communities, particularly single women and tribal groups, to claim rights over land, water, and forests, ensuring eco-friendly and sustainable management of natural resources.
Policy & Advocacy
Engaging with state and district committees to advocate for inclusive governance policies, and highlighting the importance of women’s representation in decision-making spaces.
Strengthening Gram Sabhas
Supporting Gram Sabha-led development planning, ensuring community needs are reflected in government programs, and bridging gaps between citizens and institutions.
Our Work in Climate & Livelihoods
Shramajivi Mahila Samity (SMS) recognizes that climate change disproportionately affects rural and marginalized communities—especially women, tribal groups, and daily wage laborers. SMS works to create sustainable, community-led solutions that strengthen livelihoods while protecting the environment.
Eco-Friendly Resource Management
Promoting sustainable management of land, water, and forests to enhance food security and safeguard natural resources for future generations.
Climate-Resilient Agriculture
Training women and small farmers in organic farming, traditional seed preservation, and climate-resilient techniques, ensuring both nutrition and income security.
Livelihood Diversification
Supporting women and excluded groups to develop alternative livelihoods (like non-timber forest products, small enterprises, and artisanal skills), reducing dependence on vulnerable sectors.
Community Capacity Building
Organizing training programs, exposure visits, and leadership workshops to build local capacity for climate action and sustainable development planning.
Advocacy for Sustainability
Engaging with governance structures to integrate eco-friendly development into local plans, ensuring climate justice and sustainability remain central to policy and practice.
Our Work in Inclusion & Equality
Shramajivi Mahila Samity (SMS) believes that true equality cannot be achieved without addressing the needs of the most excluded groups. SMS actively works with LGBTQIA+ communities, primitive tribes, migrant workers, and other vulnerable groups, ensuring their voices are heard, their rights protected, and their identities respected.
LGBTQIA+ Rights & Recognition
Mobilizing and organizing non-binary and LGBTQIA+ individuals to participate in policy-making, legal reforms, and governance processes, while fighting stigma and discrimination.
Advocacy & Policy Engagement
Engaging with the government, judiciary, and civil society to demand equal rights, workplace dignity, and recognition as workers for LGBTQIA+ persons and excluded communities.
Community Empowerment
Creating safe spaces for dialogue, solidarity, and leadership building, enabling marginalized groups to speak for themselves and shape inclusive development agendas.
Rights of Vulnerable Workers
Advocating for migrant workers, tribal groups, and daily wage earners in the unorganized sector, ensuring access to welfare schemes, Shramik Cards, and legal entitlements.
Breaking Stigma
Running awareness campaigns and consultations to challenge stereotypes, superstitions, and social exclusion that harm non-binary and vulnerable communities.
Our Work with Youth
Shramajivi Mahila Samity (SMS) believes that youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow—they are the changemakers of today. SMS equips young women and men from marginalized communities with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to take active roles in shaping inclusive governance, sustainable livelihoods, and social justice movements.
Leadership & Torchbearers of Change
Training youth as community leaders who champion constitutional values, advocate for gender equality, and take forward the struggles of women, Adivasis, and vulnerable groups.
Participation in Governance
In projects like the Gram Sabha Strengthening (GSA) program, youth are empowered to participate in Gram Sabhas, PRI processes, and governance structures, ensuring their voices are reflected in local development.
Youth & Gender Justice
Integrating youth leadership in initiatives like the Core Support of Inclusion and Sustainable Livelihood Program, SMS engages young people to stand with single women, fight discrimination, and challenge patriarchy at community levels.
Education, Awareness & Campaigns
Through workshops, fellowships, and campaigns, youth are mobilized around issues like climate change, labour rights, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, digital literacy, and cultural preservation.
Constitutional Values Fellowship
Under the Constitutional Values Fellowship (2024–2026), youth leaders are mentored to build credibility and trust, embedding constitutional values of justice, equality, and dignity into their community work.
