Veteran women’s rights activist Sonya Gill, a senior AIDWA leader and PARI co-founder, died at 70. She leaves behind a legacy of grassroots organising, women’s empowerment and dedicated activism.
OdishaPlus Bureau
Prominent women’s rights activist and senior leader of the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), Sonya Gill died in Mumbai on Tuesday (August 25, 2026) at the age of 70.
She had been associated with the women’s movement for several decades and was known for her sustained work among working-class women and her efforts to strengthen grassroots women’s organisations.
Gill, wife of senior journalist P. Sainath, served as the Maharashtra State Secretary of AIDWA and was also a member of the organisation’s Central Executive Committee. Over the years, she played an important role in expanding AIDWA’s activities across Maharashtra and nurturing a new generation of women activists.
Her organisational work began among working-class communities in Mumbai, including women living in the Worli BDD Chawls, Jijamata Nagar and Delisle Road. From these neighbourhood-level campaigns, her work grew into a wider engagement with women’s rights issues across the city and the State.
As Mumbai district secretary of AIDWA, Gill placed considerable emphasis on the political, ideological and organisational training of women activists. Her colleagues remember her not only for her commitment to the movement but also for her ability to build close relationships with people working alongside her.
Gill was also associated with the People’s Archive of Rural India (PARI), where she was a co-founder and trustee. Her association with PARI reflected her wider commitment to documenting the lives and struggles of ordinary people, particularly communities whose experiences often remain outside mainstream narratives.
Throughout her public life, Gill was involved in campaigns concerning women’s safety, gender justice, political representation and the rights of vulnerable communities. Her interventions frequently focused on the gap between laws and policies and their implementation on the ground.
Even while dealing with prolonged illness, she continued to remain connected with AIDWA’s work. Members of the organisation recalled her determination and courage in continuing her activities despite her health challenges.
Gill’s activism also brought her into public debates on women’s security and institutional accountability. In earlier years, she had spoken out on issues ranging from the implementation of women’s policies in Maharashtra to the need for stronger mechanisms to support survivors of sexual violence.
AIDWA described her death as a major loss to the organisation and the broader women’s movement. In its condolence message, the organisation remembered her decades of dedicated work, her commitment to strengthening women’s activism and the affection she shared with fellow activists.