The programme aimed to raise the women's awareness and increase their knowledge of migration, gender, sexuality and health issues, particularly HIV/AIDS. A series of consultation workshops to assess the women's training needs was conducted in the communities. The workshops revealed that the seafarers' spouses wanted information on reproductive health issues, STIs, HIV/AIDS and sexuality. They also wanted to build their skills in communication, assertiveness, home management and leadership. Modules developed in consultation with key leaders of the partner organizations were used to conduct seminars and skills-building workshops focused on gender, sexuality, reproductive health, HIV/AIDS and migration issues. Given the sensitive and complex issue of condom use, a special skills training on assertive communication and a safer sex workshop were included in the programme. Sixty women from the three communities took part in the activities.

Following completion of the first phase of trainings, five key leaders and potential trainers from each community underwent training of trainers in May 2002. This training was meant to build and enhance their skills in transferring their newly-acquired knowledge to their peers. It was also intended to facilitate discussions that would deepen their understanding of gender, sexuality and reproductive health issues within the context of migration.

Phase 2 of the programme is being implemented through December 2004. Two manuals were published in March 2003: Taking control: a life skills guidebook for female spouses of migrant workers (FSMWs) and A discussion guide for FSMWs on gender, reproductive health, migration and HIV/AIDS. One component of Phase 2 is the distribution of the two manuals and the collection of feedback from users. The life skills manual, a collation of the contents of the skills training workshops, is meant primarily for the women. The training manual, which documents the trainer's training, is intended to be used as a resource material in future trainings, workshops and similar initiatives that may be embarked on by ACHIEVE or its partner organizations for non-migrating partners, not just of seafarers, but also of other migrant workers.