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.

On the 16th of March 1998, at the final hearing of the writ petition filed by the All India Democratic Women's Association and the faculty of the Centre of Social Medicine and Community Health of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, the Drug Controller of India gave a written commitment to

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).