Insurance Scheme

Self employed workers have very limited access to institutional social security programmers', particularly insurance benefit schemes. Since the insurance business is nationalized in India, any type of insurance scheme can be started only in coordination with a government insurance company. Hence in 1976. MST approached the Life Insurance Corporation. LIC, for working out some type of life insurance scheme for our members. In later years in co-ordination and tie ups with general insurance companies, comprehensive micro Insurance schemes were initiated for poor women, then children and spouse.

Housing Programmes

Housing is another area which is increasingly expressed as a major problem by poor, Self employed women. Urban members live in crowded ghettos. Sprawling and congested slums and even in huts on the pavements of Ahmedabad. In rural areas pool live in small, dark mud and cow-dung huts. These are easily destroyed or washed away during the rains. Thus the issue of housing is very important to poor women and their families both in urban and rural areas. MST has made some attempts to address this need through consolidated efforts and linking the women with several government schemes for low cost housing.

Communication

Communication is a very important aspect of poor. Self employed women’s lives and struggles. These women communicate in their own way and with various groups in society. Over the years, it is found that communication the transfer of information, plays a very crucial role in the lives of poor women. Thus there is a great need for communication, between groups of self-employed women, and between them and the public, policy planners. There is also a need for these women to obtain information on various issues related to health, nutrition environment, government policies and programmes for the poor communities including national development plans and programmes.