It is being increasingly realized that HIV and AIDS is not just a health issue, it has social and economic implications too. Women are at the risk of getting infected because of their social and economic vulnerability. Often their social status and lack (or low level) of empowerment within the family further increases their vulnerability to infection. It is now estimated that women in India now account for 38.4 percent of total HIV infected population in India. 
To reach out to a large constituency of women through the Swayam siddha, Swa-Shakti, ICDS and other programmes run by MWCD a training package was conceptualized, to address the women’s vulnerability to HIV through Self Help Groups. 
The training modules on gender and HIV address the gender dimensions of HIV/AIDS in context of women’s work, their health and social relationships. They focus on women’s roles in different contextual social relationships and the vulnerabilities they face vis-à-vis their health. They also contribute to deepening the understanding of the effect of the epidemic on the economy of the nation as a whole, as well as, in assisting them to realize their contribution as workers in their local situations.