WOMEN

&
HEALTH
Health is a state of
complete physical, mental
and social well-being and
not merely the absence of
d i s e a s e o r i n f i r m i t y.
- W O R L D H E A LT H O R G A N I Z AT I O N
WOMEN’S HEALTH
• Women’s health is a subject like other women’s issues which starts from the Womb and end in
the Tomb.
• The women in India face a magnitude of different problems in general, but here we will be
discussing the area of Health.
• There have been a lot technological advancements, social changes taking place but the gender
divide still persists which is one of the main reasons for the deteriorating women’s health in
India.
• The fact is that somewhere the health of a women is intrinsically linked with their status in the
society.
• The health facilities, their own health decisions, for the most part are not taken by them but by
their families with them having a very less/no say at all,
• The world health organization (WHO) estimates that, of
5,36,000 maternal deaths occurring globally each year,
1,36,000 take place in India.
• Every 3rd women in India is undernourished and every 2nd is
anaemic.
• 71.9% of women do not have access to folic acid and iron
tablets .
• 21.8% of the pregnant women get access to full antenatal
care.
• In Bihar, 96.7 per cent women do not get full antenatal care.
 Overlooked
by the
society

Blamed
when they
Face
are unable to
do any work
Women Health
Problems
due to health
issues

No
Health
facilities
given
H E A LT H I S S U E S
FA C E D B Y
WOMEN
 Currently, women in India have to face numerous health issues, which ultimately affect the
aggregate economy’s output.
.

Malnutrition

Lack of Health Mental

maternal Health
health Problems Issues

Diseases
like
AIDS ,
breast
cancer
• Maternal Mortality – Most of Indian women die from labour,
pregnancy and insecure premature births.
• According to Human Rights Watch (HRW) report in 2009; “one in 70
Indian women, who achieve reproductive age dies this way.”
• Immunisation – According to UNICEF, India has 7.4 million children
who are not immunised - this is the largest number in the world.
• Unfortunately, gender also plays a role in whether children are
immunised or not, with girls reportedly receiving fewer vaccines than
boys.
• Malnutrition – India is thought to be among the countries with the
highest rates of malnourished females in the developing world.
• Poor nutrition also affects maternal health and the health of babies.
• Malnutrition is major consequence of anemia.
• 50 – 90% of all pregnant women in India are anemic. Severe anemia
accounts for 20% of maternal deaths in India.
• Menstrual Hygiene – With billions of people, it’s surprising and
disappointing that only a small percentage of women in India have
access to clean hygiene when it comes to menstrual care.
• Even today, millions of women in India do not have access or
cannot afford to buy sanitary pads because of their cost, relying on
unhygienic methods such as cloth, leaves or husks.
• This can result in infections, rashes, and discomfort.
• Domestic Violence – Domestic violence is a major issues in India.
• Domestic violence is defined as acts of physical, psychological, and sexual
violence against women is found across the world and is currently viewed as a
hidden epidemic by the World Health Organization.
• Osteoporosis – Known to be one of the most common issues that affect women,
especially during middle age and after.
• Low calcium diet and lack of health awareness are major causes of this health
problem.
• Breast Cancer – Breast cancer is fast becoming a widespread phenomenon
among women in India and abroad.
• According to the World Health Organisation, of the cases diagnosed in 2012, 25
percent of all cancer in women were breast cancer.
• The National Cancer Registry Programme lists that 20 percent of all breast
cancer cases in India occur among women below the age of 40.
• Postpartum Depression – Postpartum depression is a mood disorder
that can affect women after childbirth.
• Mothers with postpartum depression experience feelings of extreme
sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that may make it difficult for them
to complete daily care activities for themselves or for others.
• There are many more issues of health in women like Obesity,
Stroke, Depression, HIV – AIDS, etc.
 G O V ER N ME N T
&
C IV IL PO PU L AT IO N
IN ITIAT IV ES
GOVERNMENT
I N I T I AT I V E S

The Government of
India has initiated quite
a few Schemes and
policies under the
National Health
Mission for the
betterment of women’s
health.
 GOVERNMENT
I N I T I AT I V E S

The Government of
India has initiated quite
a few Schemes and
policies under the
National Health
Mission for the
betterment of women’s
Weekly iron and health.
folic acid
supplementation
program.
 Public
Initiatives
CHALLENGES
FOR WOMEN
TO ATTAIN
HEALTH
FACILITIES
• The important fact that we all know but are still ignorant about is, biologically female body
is more complex than male body.
• The foremost challenge faced by women in availing health facilities is lack of women
empowerment which brings us to following issues.
• Women’s mobility
• Financial dependency
• Ignorant about her health
• Mental Health of women
• Menstruation still a taboo
• Women’s sexual health : Sexual health is a state of physical, mental and social well-being in
relation to sexuality. It requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual
relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free
of coercion, discrimination and violence (source : World Health Organization.)
• Janani Suraksha Yojana : Cash alone not enough in India for a child birth
(patriarchy controls women’s area of property and other economic resources
• Ignorance of women in : Weekly iron and folic acid supplementation
program
THANK YOU