Women's health as empowerment: towards a holistic experience
Khanna, R.
Health for the Millions 18(4): 12-15
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0970-8685 PMID: 12317716 Document Number: 321493
The Women's Health Programme of the nongovernmental organization Social Action for Rural and Tribal Inhabitants of India (SARTHI) serves women living in the Santrampur taluka of Panchmahals district in Gujarat State, India. The program, which has been operating since July 1988, addresses gynecological and psychological health and issues of violence and exploitation. It incorporates traditional health practices and modern allopathic health practices. SARTHI provides gynecologic services via illiterate women health workers (barefoot gynecologists). They also counsel the rural and tribal women and mobilize them for collective action. The 1st phase of the program was training local women in maternal and child health care which included nutrition education and aseptic deliveries. It moved into its 2nd phase due to the realization that it was imposing an external health system on the local women. So the program undertook a research project to verify locally used traditional medicines. Training of the barefoot gynecologists marked the beginning of the 3rd phase. These women health workers soon realized that their main objective was empowerment of the local women. The program provides women with information to empower them to deal with their problems. Training is the key to the program's success. it designed training in phases to build upon knowledge. It begins with an 8-day training program followed by 3-day modules each month. Training includes technical health information and empowerment and leadership building. Content depends on the current situation of the women. Methodologies include role playing, songs, question-answer sessions, and reviews.