Village women lead the way: SARTHI's experience
Khanna, R.
Mothers and Children 11(2): 1-3
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0272-6912 PMID: 12346092 Document Number: 328006
The grassroots nongovernmental organization Social Action for Rural and Tribal Inhabitants of India (SARTHI) has evolved, since its founding in 1980, from a project-oriented group aimed at addressing the shortage of drinking water and fuel wood to a broad-based women's health program. Starting in 1988, local women were trained as Women Health Workers to provide nutrition education to pregnant and lactating women and encourage tetanus immunization. Also undertaken was a study to validate locally used traditional medicines. About 80% were found to have healing properties, and systematic cultivation of these plants began on common lands obtained from the village council. Since local women came to trust the health workers and confided in them about gynecologic concerns, these workers were subsequently trained to take a medical history and perform pelvic and vaginal examinations. At monthly workshops, the women health workers receive updated training in gynecology and discuss issues that have arisen in the villages, e.g., domestic violence. Role playing is the central training modality, and health workers are urged to share their personal experiences as well as those of their clients. The women health workers now view their primary role as that of empowering other women by responding to their specific needs and serving as catalysts for social change in women's status.