PWDS was formed in 1977 to provide integrated services in the area of health, income generation, women’s empowerment, rural development and education. PWDS views HIV not only as a health issue but as a development issue that should be addressed with a development agenda.

Currently, PWDS implements 66 field projects, has promoted 11 support organisations, and works in 30 districts in Tamilnadu through 44 partner NGOs.

PWDS’s strategic areas of work with the Alliance are:

PWDS enables communities to organise themselves as village-level local associations called mantrams and self-help groups (SHG). SHG members are trained in group management and accounts and sensitised on social issues. PWDS runs a community health programme that focusses on HIV prevention, health and hygiene, linking communities to government health services and training rural women as community health workers.

The first of its kind in Tamil Nad, PWDS’ home- and community-based care & support project for children affected by HIV & AIDS is implemented by 18 partner organisations in ten districts. It is funded by the Abbott Fund. PWDS also implements the CHAHA programme in ten districts of Tamilnadu to reduce the impact of HIV on children and their families.

Indian Association for Savings and Credit (IASC) is a microfinance initiative promoted jointly by PWDS and Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC Bank). IASC extends microfinance services to affiliated SHGs and other community-based organisations.