Sonya Gill, women’s rights activist and PARI co-founder, dies at 70

Sonya Gill, women’s rights activist and co-founder of the digital news outlet People’s Archive of Rural India, died after a prolonged illness on Tuesday. She was 70.

Gill was a former secretary of the Maharashtra unit of the All India Democratic Women’s Association. She had founded PARI with her husband, journalist P Sainath, in December 2014 and continued to serve as its trustee.

With deep regret, we share the sudden passing of Sonya Gill, PARI Co-Founder and Trustee, on August 25, 2026.. Sonya worked for decades on women's rights issues and had been Secretary of AIDWA, Maharashtra. She was the wife of PARI Founder, Journalist P. Sainath. pic.twitter.com/ZMHSXsM0Xx— People's Archive of Rural India (@PARInetwork) August 26, 2026

The All India Democratic Women’s Association described Gill’s death as an “immense and irreparable loss” to the women’s movement.

“She was a dedicated organiser, a committed fighter for women’s rights and a comrade whose warmth, grace and determination touched all those who worked with her,” stated the association.

It added that Gill had built the association from the grassroots. Her efforts at it had started with the work she did to support women living in Mumbai’s chawls.

“Comrade Sonya was a courageous fighter,” added the association. “Even while battling a prolonged illness, she continued to participate in AIDWA activities...

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