Sushila Sable was born in Shirner village in Jalna district, Maharashtra, India. Her childhood was marked by the harsh realities of poverty exacerbated by the 1972 drought. Forced to migrate to Mumbai with her family in search of a better life, Sushila found herself thrust into the challenging world of waste picking at a young age. Despite the adversity she faced, Sushila never lost sight of her dreams.
While searching for recyclable materials on the streets of Ghatkopar, Mumbai, she yearned for an education, often watching enviously as other children went to school. Her journey to literacy began at the age of 30 when she read her first letters. Today, at 58, she proudly fulfills her long-held desire to learn English, showcasing her unwavering commitment to self-improvement. Married off at a young age, Sushila courageously left her abusive husband to pursue a better life for herself and her son.
Returning to her mother, she resumed waste picking and eventually became involved with the Stree Mukti Sangathana (SMS), a pivotal moment that transformed her life. Inspired by a play performed by SMS activists, Sushila helped establish self-help groups (SHGs) and later Federation of SHGs for waste pickers, overcoming barriers of illiteracy and financial exclusion to open bank accounts for her community. Her leadership and determination didn’t stop there. By 1999, she had formed her own SHG with ten members and rose to become the president of the Parisar Bhagini Vikas Sangha (PBVS) with more than 2500 members in Mumbai and 500 in Thane, advocating tirelessly for the rights and dignity of waste pickers.
Under her guidance, PBVS became a formidable force, representing thousands of waste pickers across Mumbai and Thane in Maharashtra, India. Sushila continues to be associated with the Stree Mukti Sanghatana (Women’s Liberation Organization) established in 1975.
Sushila’s impact extended beyond her immediate community. Through her involvement with SMS and PBVS, she became a prominent voice on national and global platforms, advocating for waste pickers’ rights and environmental sustainability. Her participation in international forums, including the United Nations Climate Change Conference, highlights her commitment to effecting change on a global scale. At present, Sushila serves as the Program Committee member of the Alliance of Indian Waste Pickers, an informal coalition of waste pickers organizations in India, with an outreach to 100,000 waste pickers. She also serves as the voting representative of Indian organizations in the Acting Working Committee of the International Alliance of Waste Pickers (IAWP), and a member of the Plastics Treaty Working Group within IAWP.
Despite the challenges she faces, Sushila remains undeterred in her fight for recognition and respect for waste pickers. Through her advocacy, she continues to push for their integration into solid waste management systems and the implementation of policies that safeguard their well-being and livelihoods.
