Sonya Gill, AIDWA leader and women’s rights activist, dies at 70

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Former Maharashtra Secretary of All India Democratic Women’s Association, women’s rights activist, Sonya Gill. Photo: Special Arrangements

Sonya Gill, women’s rights activist and former Maharashtra Secretary of All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), died on Tuesday (August 25, 2026) at the age of 70 in Mumbai after a prolonged illness. She was the co-founder and trustee of PARI (People’s Archive of Rural India).

She is survived by her husband and renowned journalist P. Sainath, who was with her when she collapsed during her evening walk on Tuesday (August 25) in Mumbai.

Her colleagues at PARI remembered her fondly for being an inspiration for her courage and work ethic. In AIDWA, she paid meticulous attention to ideological and organisational training of women activists.

“It is extremely shocking and distressing to know that our dearest comrade, Sonya Gill, is no more. It is unbelievable,” said Mariam Dhawale, vice president of AIDWA. She remembered her long association with Ms. Gill, which lasted over 32 years.

“Sonya was a great fighter. She combated her illness with remarkable courage and continued to participate in AIDWA activities till the very end. Never a word was heard from her about her pain and the difficulties she faced due to her illness. We shared many joyous moments. She will be badly missed by us all, especially her grace and her laughter. It is an immense and irreparable loss for AIDWA,” Ms Dhawale said.

During her early years, Ms. Gill highlighted women’s issues in Mumbai’s BDD chawls, Jijamata Nagar and Delisle Road.

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