MST has experimented with various ways of involving women in obtaining and implementing social services. Some of these have then been shared with government and non-government organizations. Thus MST has attempted to develop linkages and facilitate dialogue between the women and other institutions, as part of its attempts to involve women in supportive services and social security programmes0 on a regional and national scale.
As a mechanism to finance these social services, Mahila SEWA Trust is established in 1975. It is supported by mainly small donations from foundations, trusts and private individuals. All the award monies received by to Elaben Bhatt have been donated to the Trust. The supportive services sponsored by the Trust are carried out by field organizers. It is envisaged that in future, just as production units have grown into co-operatives, so alsothe social security services will develop into co-operatives. The beginning was made with the child care services and now health care and insurance work run through the co-operatives.
The following social security services schemes and programme are designed and developed by MST. In consultation with the women.
- Health care
- Child Care
- Insurance
These activities are carried out with local women’s participation at the pace
the women are able to accept and adopt as per their needs and priorities.
Health care programmes :
Mahila SEWA Trust has experimented with various health activities over the years.
Health awareness Programme
In 1975, ‘Know your Body’ classes were conducted together with the staff of a local hospital. This proved very popular with members. After a gap of a few years, it is currently operational in Ahmedabad and Mehsana districts. Self-employed women from villages of these districts are involved in health awareness classes. These are around women’s health issues including safe contraception and childbirth. Follow-up sessions are also organized to ensure that women’s health issues are discussed among all village women. This programme involves village women.