Viji Palithodi

Viji Penkoottu
Born1968 (age 55–56)
Calicut
CitizenshipIndia
Occupation(s)Union Leader, Tailor
SpouseSuresh.k
ChildrenAmrutha .k and Anandhu .k
Parent(s)Second daughter of K.sahadevan and P.kamala

Viji Palithodi (P.Viji; born 1968) created the women's union, Asanghaditha Mekhala Thozhilali Union (Union for workers of unorganised sectors) as a part of women's group Penkoottu, in Kerala, India and won basic rights for women working as saleswomen, including the right to sit during working hours. She is part of BBC's list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2018.[1][2][3]

She fought for the ‘Right to Sit’ for female shop workers particularly in the textile industry as they were made to stand all day in the shop.[4][5]

  1. ^ "BBC 100 Women 2018: Who is on the list?". 19 November 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  2. ^ "How saleswomen in India finally won the 'right to sit'". 23 July 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  3. ^ "Activist P Viji on BBC's '100 women' list". The Times of India. 20 November 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  4. ^ "These Indian Women Activists are Driving Change with their Passion". Makers. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  5. ^ "The Viji Penkoottu story: Meet the mother of Kerala's female labour unions". Azmia Riaz. The New Indian Express. 1 March 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.