Who We Are

Who We Are - HNSA Team

About Us

HomeNet South Asia is a regional network of home-based worker organisations spread across eight countries. These include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Founded in 2000, we are South Asia’s first and only network for home-based workers.

Through our initiatives and efforts, we aim to:

Build regional solidarity among home-based workers and their representative organisations. We also create platforms for learning and sharing amongst them.
Advocate for relevant policies that include home-based workers in national statistics, Government programmes, and ensure worker's rights.
Ensure visibility of home-based workers by strengthening their collective voice.
Create better economic opportunities.
Secure social security.
Develop the capacities of grassroot-level organisations.

In the years since our inception, we have emerged as a leading voice for home-based workers in the region. Our initiatives, in our member countries, empower women, home-based workers and help them improve their lives and livelihoods.

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HNSA's Story

1970s

Recognising that women home-based workers (HBWs) are an integral part of the informal workforce, Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) – a trade union for women informalRead more

Recognising that women home-based workers (HBWs) are an integral part of the informal workforce, Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) – a trade union for women informal workers in India – begins organising them. SEWA coins the term ‘home-based worker’ and pioneers the home-based workers’ movement in India!

SEWA pioneered and continues to highlight the presence of home-based workers, and their contribution to the Nation.

1980s - 1990s

The home-based workers movement begins to flourish in many parts of the world, establishing its presence in countries across South Asia and many other parts of the globe.<Read more

The home-based workers movement begins to flourish in many parts of the world, establishing its presence in countries across South Asia and many other parts of the globe.

HBWs and their representative organisations begin networking -across borders and across continents - and come together to advocate with international trade unions and the International Labour Organization.

They - together and unanimously - demand for an ILO Convention for home-based workers and ask for it to be included in the International Labour Conference’s agenda.

1996

Sustained efforts by trade unions, academicians, NGOs, and cooperatives are realised when the International Labour Organisation (ILO) adapts the Convention on HomeRead more

Sustained efforts by trade unions, academicians, NGOs, and cooperatives are realised when the International Labour Organisation (ILO) adapts the Convention on Home Work (C177) – the first comprehensive standard in support of home workers.

2000s

Governments across South Asia convene with international trade unions, the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), home-based worker organisations, researchers andRead more

Governments across South Asia convene with international trade unions, the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), home-based worker organisations, researchers and academicians.This historic summit witnesses the formulation of the Kathmandu Declaration.

The historical declaration calls for the formation of country-wise national policies that recognise home-based workers as workers and ensure them minimum protection with regards to social and economic security.

Workers, their representatives and allies realise the need for strong regional movements that strengthen the collective voice of home-based workers and that work towards bringing them recognition as workers. This leads to the establishment of HomeNet South Asia.

2006

HomeNet South Asia is registered as a Charitable Trust in Mauritius.

2022

HNSA's first-ever Congress was held on October 18-20th, at Kathmandu, Nepal.

Our Board

Chandni Joshi

Chandni Joshi

Enforcer

HNSA's Enforcer, Ms. Chandni Joshi is a Gender, Rights and Policy Specialist with over 56 years of...

Renana Jhabvala

Chairperson

Ms. Jhabvala represents Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), HNSA’s parent organisation, on the...

Dr. Quratulain Bakhteari

Dr. Quratulain Bakhteari

Board Member

Dr. Quratulain Bakhteari born Dec 25 1949, raised in Karachi. Engaged in Community Development...

Phuntshok Chhoden Tshering

Board Member

Ms. Tshering serves on the Board of HNSA as one of its Trustees/Members. She is the Chairperson of...

Rogers Capital

Trustee Services

Rogers Capital Trustee Services is a leading international services and investment company...

Strategy Advisor

Namrata Bali

Strategy Advisor

As the Strategy Advisor for HomeNet South Asia, Ms. Bali provides overall guidance on the...

Our Team

Sristi Joshi Malla

Sristi Joshi Malla

Regional Coordinator

Sristi Joshi Malla brings her rich experience of working with home based workers since 2000. Until...

Anuj Arora

Financial Advisor

As a Partner at Suri & Sudhir, a Delhi-based Chartered Accountants’ firm, Anuj Arora is HomeNet...

Nikita Bhukar

Nikita Bhukar

Programme Coordinator

Ms. Nikita Bhukar has extensive experience in strategic planning and project management with a...

Rekha Sharma

Rekha Sharma

Finance and Accounts Coordinator

Ms. Sharma facilitates all financial dealing and maintains accounts for our organisation. She also...

Shital Vagadiya

Administration And Human Resources Coordinator

Ms. Vagadiya provides administrative and organisational support to the staff of HomeNet South Asia...

Our Funders and Partners

Laudes Foundation