More than 20,000 women community health workers from all four provinces of Pakistan have united through PSI to form the Pakistan Community Health Workers Federation (PCHWF), the country's first national community health workers union.

The new National Union marks a significant milestone in the decades-long struggle of these essential women workers who deliver primary health care across the country.

"Our new Federation will ensure the safety and security of all community health workers," said Rahila Tabassum, a Lady Health Supervisor from Punjab and General Secretary of PCHWF. 

Women union leaders from PSI affiliated unions across the four provinces agreed to form the national federation to counter the common problems facing community health workers, polio workers and community midwives. This includes recent attacks on women polio workers, harassment, denial of minimum wages, delayed salaries, and lack of professional recognition. 

"Our federation will not allow the government to out-source health facilities. Together we will protect public health services," said Halima Leghari, Lady Health Supervisor from Sindh and President, PCHWF.