Mr A R Nanda, former Secretary to
Government of India, Ministry of Health
and Family Welfare, in his inaugural
address, stated that population
stabilization is not just an issue of
numbers, but issues of vital interests of
the people. What is required now is a
two-way communication strategy, a
dialogue, which acknowledges people
in their own right, takes into account
their concerns, and provides them with
information and knowledge to decide
what is in their best interest, and to do
so from within their own social,
economic and cultural context.
Participants from different non-
government
organisations
gave
presentations on their activities and also
gave suggestions on networking of NGOs
to strengthen population related activities.
It was felt that folk and traditional media
could play an important role in promoting
a participatory approach in the
community, since these products are
collective efforts of the community itself.
'Aradhya'
/
team performing a Nukkad Natak on
World Population Day
Advocacy for Change
Health has traditionally been viewed as a 'service', which
may be provided at the convenience of the provider, and is
also dependent on the extent of the provider's resources and
inclination. Of late, health has also been viewed as a 'product',
which may be purchased by those who can afford it and can
also be marketed in competitive manner. The notion of health
as a 'right' is relatively unclear.
Health rights are derived from human rights, and the right to
life is closely related to the right to health.
Women's status has for centuries been associated almost
exclusively with maternity and reproduction. The low status of
women also drove a strong preference in societies for sons and
male children and generated structural imbalances and
discrimination starting from a girl child foetus in the womb up
to the end of woman's reproductive life and even beyond,
reflecting in adverse attitude and practices in areas like
nutrition, education, health etc.
When we are talking of women's health, the rights framework
implies that all women are entitled to enjoy a state of overall
well-being, taking into accountthe social and mental dimensions
of the well-being, no matter whatever be their age, social or
economic status. "Reproductive health" goes beyond that
reproductive functionality of women to addressing reproductive
and sexual health of both men and women each according to
their needs and circumstances and acknowledging the integrity
and responsibility of the two.
When one perceives health as a "rights" issue, one should view
the clear linkages with the right to information - the
information on policies, programmes and provisions that are
being made for the poor. We can think of change if there is a
pressure for greater transparency from above while there is an
equal demand for information from below. Accurate information
is the basis of advocacy and there is a need for the right
information to reach the right person at the right time.
When we talk of rights, our advocacy should address the state
as a key player which can ensure these rights, if it has sufficient
political will. However, there is also a need to address other
important players who can influence the extent to which
women's rights can be realized, such as the funding
organisations, media, NGOs etc. The central role belongs to
community opinion makers, especially women's organizations
or women community leaders. We need to advocate at the level
of community. Community advocacy for policy and programme
initiatives, together with taking on a watchdog role for moni-
toring their implementation needs to be strengthened, espe-
ciallyby providingcommunities'accessto more infD
A.R. Nanda