Due to several critical gaps in access to information, resources and delivery mechanisms, social security and health services often do not reach the most vulnerable sections. SEWA Punjab works directly in the communities to ensure that marginalised low-income groups of women workers and their families have access to the same. This is done through awareness generation, information sharing, and service delivery mechanisms.

• •  Social Security Linkages through SEWA Shakti Kendra (SSK)

SEWA Shakti Kendras (SSK) are empowerment centres which link community members to government welfare schemes and other SEWA Punjab programs such as microfinance in unbanked areas, employment, and skill training linkages. These centres not only provide the relevant information, awareness and resources to the women of the community, they also provide handholding support for women to access legal solutions and other public welfare entitlements.

The SSK is run by a woman mobiliser from the community who provides full assistance in navigating the process such as filling and submitting application forms. The SSK is thus, a critical mechanism for ensuring last mile delivery of social security benefits to marginalized, low-income communities who are often unable to access these owing to illiteracy, lack of awareness, lack of mobility and corruption.  

The role of SSK coordinator is thus an important one. Capacity building training is provided by SEWA Punjab wherein they are empowered with adequate knowledge of government linkages and schemes, how these are to be accessed and facilitated through door to door visits and liaisons with government departments. 

Learn more about SEWA’s Social Security and Health Programs here.

Health Awareness and Access

SEWA Punjab ensures that poor, low income families of its women members have access to health awareness, resources and health entitlements. The women workers from these marginalised communities engaged in the informal sector trades and the unsafe working conditions, especially labourers, weavers, embroiderers, domestic workers, and construction workers often suffer from acute risk of occupational health hazards. SEWA Punjab’s ground approach towards facilitating health care services directly to communities includes the following- 

-> Conducting awareness sessions on women’s health care, including guidance on occupational health, reproductive health, maternal and mental health and nutrition. Regular check-up drives and camps are carried out to address common health problems of the community. 

-> Promoting health and well-being of the women by providing access to health information and education, such as preventive health awareness. 

-> Linking health services to insurance, providing basic amenities like sanitation literacy and other developmental programs.

-> Emphasizing self-reliance both in economic terms and in terms of women themselves owning, controlling, and managing their own health activities.

-> Promoting healthcare access through referrals. Several administrative barriers prevent women’s access to proper healthcare. SEWA Punjab’s grassroots leaders and community volunteers help through directly referring women to established government and private health care centres, as well as the district level One Stop Centres for assistance to women affected by violence.