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How Healthcare NGOs are Improving Women’s Health in India


In recent years, India has been taking huge strides in the development of healthcare infrastructure. With every passing day, there is an increased number of doctors and free public healthcare sites. Unfortunately, though, we find that women still are victims of discrimination and patriarchal norms that oppress their rights to health care. Particularly, women belonging to rural areas or lower economic statuses face a dearth of health care, safety and awareness as society regards them inferior. Healthcare NGOs and women’s health charities all over India have been actively working on not only bringing light to the situation but also rendering measures and services to contribute to the betterment of women’s health. Read on to find out how women’s health NGOs have been working towards improving the health outcomes of women and girl children in India. 

Vaccination Drives for Disease Control

Years after India’s independence, gender inequality is still a very prevalent issue in India. Patriarchy is at large and society still puts men on the highest ground, giving them seamless and indefinite access to health care. Women, on the other hand, are tied to societal chains and cultural beliefs such as vaccines causing infertility and harmful menstruation changes. NGOs provide vaccination drives in rural areas to educate families on the significance of women’s access to vaccines and provide the necessary inoculation to women through medical campaigns.

Reproductive and Maternal Health Awareness

Although women go through the physical and mental strain for nine long months to give birth to children, they are largely viewed as not worth extensive healthcare. Women are obstructed from receiving the care and support after delivering the baby. Not to mention, many families mistreat them for giving birth to a girl child. NGOs have been taking huge measures to avert this ravaging issue by raising awareness regarding maternal care and pregnancy complications through reproductive and child health programmes. 

Emergency and Disaster Preparedness

NGOs have been tirelessly working on providing women with all the necessary tools and resources to help keep themselves safe during national emergencies, such as disasters or global pandemics. They are educated about the probable emergencies that could occur and measures to protect themselves against any unforeseen circumstances caused by disasters.  

Support Group for Sexual Abuse Victims

Since time immemorial, women have been victims of sexual threats and coercion. Furthermore, the pervasive gender-discrimination chooses to hold the women accountable for their own abuse, shunning and driving them into silence. NGOs are actively working on plucking this deep-rooted fear amongst women and offering them the platform to join therapy and counselling groups. Additionally, NGOs provide resources to support women in legal battles against their abusers. 


Wrap Up

Healthcare NGOs, without a shadow of doubt, are diligently working to educate and empower women. Through various measures, such as the ones mentioned in this piece, women’s health charities are working hand-in-hand with government agencies to help women become independent and self-sufficient. If you are looking to support the efforts of healthcare NGOs and women’s health programmes, reach out to a trusted organisation such as CARE India today. 



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