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Sri Lakshmi Pengal Munnetra Sangam (SLPMS) has been formed by a group of deprived women (1,121 Female Sex Workers as SLPMS members) with the aim to empower the marginalised women in the district through holistic development intervention programs.

SLPMS is promoted by Voluntary Health Services (VHS) as part of the Tamil Nadu AIDS Initiatives (TAI) project. It is supported by Swasti, whose HIV/AIDS prevention project is being funded by Avahan III, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s project.

Activities in FY14:

• Facilitating Government schemes: SLPMS helps members avail government welfare schemes including voter ID, ration card, pension and Aadhar. More than 1,000 members and their families have benefitted through this drive.
• Microfinance through SHG promotion: At a village level, SLPMS promotes microfinance among the female sex workers through Self Help Groups (SHG). This initiative facilitates access to savings, credit and insurance resulting in economic empowerment of the members. Around 20 SHGs were formed.
• Livelihood promotion through skill training: SLPMS provides skill training like tailoring, beautician, catering, etc to its members with the objective to enable them to earn a livelihood. More than 500 members received training on different areas.
• Legal Aid & Counselling: At the village and block level, SLPMS provides legal aid and counselling services to members who suffer from distress related issues.
• HIV/AIDS prevention & care: SLPMS is actively engaged in HIV/AIDS prevention activities in the district with the support from the District government hospital. SLPMS supports People Living with HIV/AIDS by providing them with monthly groceries.
• Child support: SLPMS provides nutrition to HIV infected children at the NGOs office at Madurai. Around 22 children were provided with Horlicks, biscuits, etc. SLPMS also conducted a forum, where 85 children participated in events like drawing, composition writing, speech competition, dance & yoga.