The twentieth century has witnessed rapid transformations in labour market structures in both developed and developing countries. The changes have been so dramatic that the work place in these countries is no longer a man’s preserve.

The high female infant mortality rates (Miller, 1985); the practice of female infanticide (Krishnaswamy, 1988); the neglect of female children with regard to access to health services, nutrition, (Sen and Sengupta, 1983 and education (Mankekar, 1985); and the sexual abuse of girls (Bhalerao, 1985

The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, is a significant piece of legislation in India designed to protect the health and welfare of women during maternity.

This study explores how women are engaged as CHWs for health related work at the community level in the five South Asian countries (India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka).

How does one analytically locate the social phenomenon manifested in India during the last few years since the advent of sex-selection technology in the mid- 70s?