Opportunities

Field of Study and Opportunities

As the introduction to Dr. Munjaal Kapadia’s podcast, She Says She’s fine, states, “Why is it difficult for women to prioritize their health? Why is there a vortex of guilt around women’s bodies and their medical care? How do we alleviate the fears around women’s deepest, most private health concerns?” This got me thinking, why is it that women, regardless of their race, caste, creed, financial background, literacy level- do not know what is normal with their bodies? Why do they not seek help until things are out of control and a small symptom takes the form of a life-threatening disease.

The Indian healthcare scenario presents a spectrum of contrasting landscapes. At one end of the spectrum are the glitzy steel and glass structures delivering high tech medicare to the well-heeled, mostly urban Indian. At the other end are the ramshackle outposts in the remote reaches of the “other India” trying desperately to live up to their identity as health subcenters, waiting to be transformed to shrines of health and wellness.

Despite the large population, poverty and low rates of literacy, the Indian Government has launched several programmes to uplif communities in both rural and urban parts of the country. One such programme is The National Health Mission (NHM) which encompasses its two Sub-Missions, The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and The National Urban Health Mission (NUHM). The main programmatic components include Health System Strengthening, Reproductive-Maternal- Neonatal-Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A), and Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases. Apart from government initiatives there are also charities and non-government organizations working towards women’s health across the country.

In some cities in the developing world slum residents make up more than half of the population and ofen do not have adequate shelter, clean water and sanitation, education, or healthcare. India, like most developing and under-developed nations of the world, has alarming rates of poverty. The contrasts between urban and rural life is remarkable. However, the slum ecosystem is resilient and robust with advancement in facilities for its residents. There are primary and secondary schools in the slum ensuring that the future generations are educated. For every 10,000 people there is a Primary healthcare Clinic set up by the government. These slums also have several facilities for women and children. For example, each slum has an Anganwadi (child day care) where women can drop off their children and at the same time get care if they are expectant mothers. ASHA or Accredited social health workers are present in every slum to check the elderly and expecting mothers and guide them to the healthcare clinic to get care.

Despite the efforts by the government and private organizations, women’s health is not given its due importance. "The mental conditioning of Indian society has led to women having a very high threshold of patience and silence.” - Ranjana Kumari, women's rights activist and director of the Centre for Social Research in New Delhi. The silence coupled with shame and stigma around menstruation prevents women from getting care in a timely manner. For women to know about possible menstrual disorders, they must know about their menstrual cycle. To understand if there’s something wrong or unusual, they must be able to communicate about periods effectively. The opportunity lies in empowering women to advocate about their menstrual health and to normalize menstruation.

The project has the potential to make direct and indirect impact on UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Goal 3- Good Health and Well-being, Goal 4- Quality Education, Goal 5- Gender Equality, Goal 7- Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 10- Reduced Inequalities and Goal 17- Strengthening Partnerships could be integrated in the solution.