The Mahila Arogya Samitis, as these slum women’s groups are named in the National Urban Health Mission, are grassroots institutions that promote a sense of collective responsibility, group cohesion and initiative among the people.
Women’s groups and other active/interested women form the platform on which UHRC’s social facilitators provide inputs through capacity building, motivating and mentoring efforts.
The program also leads to improved health outcomes for the population
In a patriarchal society, women’s groups result in increasing women’s autonomy in decisions on healthcare, children’s (including girls’) education, associated expenditure and promote savings.
Community women’s groups contribute to a positive gender equation at family and society levels, provide social support to needy families
These groups are also the starting point of a collective community request to the civic authorities for laying of the sewerage system, paving of unpaved lanes, community water supply, cleaning of garbage, clearing of blocked sewerage pipes and other similar services.
