Annexure II

ABSTRACT

The tribal womens empowerment at the community level is required for improvement of
health practices within the family, reducing maternal mortality and lowering the number of
deaths among children under five. The influence of women’s empowerment and/or autonomy on
children’s health and well-being has proven a direct link between a woman’s agency, nutritional
status, feeding practices for children, treatment of illness and immunisation of children, and
positive outcomes for maternal and child health.
Tribal women with improved status have more control over resources in their
households; have greater access to information, better mental health, self-confidence and self-
esteem; and access health services both for themselves and their children. Conversely, women
with low status tend to have weaker control over household resources, tighter time constraints,
less access to information and health services and lower self-esteem.
One of the key reasons why increase in tribal women’s empowerment leads to
improvement in children’s nutritional and health status is that women with greater status have
better nutritional status, are better cared for and for the most part, provide higher quality care to
their children (Asabe Ibrahim et al., 2015). Raising women’s status is a powerful force for
improving the health and productivity of families, communities and villages.
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act1 was a significant step towards opening up the
space for women’s political participation and in acknowledging their role in the development of
their village/ block/district. While reservations per se provided an opportunity for the legal
empowerment of women, the actual process of empowerment has not been an easy process. The
prevailing patriarchal mindsets of people regarding the traditional role of women, illiteracy or
low education levels among women, social restrictions, lack of comprehensive understanding of
their rights, caste system, restricted primary health care system, etc., hamper their active
participation in demanding and achieving optimal health for themselves and their families.The
frontline health care cadre is the main link bringing health care closer to women, families and
communities. The ASHA and VHSNC are starting points for community engagement, but for
this action on gender equity, addressing patriarchy and gender stereotypes, engaging women
from all sections and castes and empowering women’s groups are essential. Women’s
involvement in planning and accountability of health services is essential for sustained collective
community action for health. The Gram Panchayat and PRIs have a significant role in addressing
inequities and encouraging women’s participation by providing support to the primary health
care teams.
This seminar aims at Panchayat members, field functionaries, programme implementers
and NGOs in an attempt to link all aspects of maternal and child health to women’s
empowerment. All health officials and persons working with communities and women play a key
role in ensuring that inclusiveness and women’s rights are prioritised in planning and
implementing health services. The learning processes and exercises aim to help them enable
women to view themselves as capable and responsible individuals with equal rights to health, as
anyone else.