VP in partnership with Institute for Gender Justice and Sudinalay – Centre for Women, New Delhi organised science and health communication based a week long interactive program in 2011 on “Women’s Health and Empowerment for Prosperity and Social Change” to mark the occasion of the International Women’s Day. Under the slogan “Bharat se India jurega jab mahila sashakt hogi tab, this program was focused on the following subjects: Malnutrition vs. Nutrition: Myths, Realities and Best Practices for a Healthy Life; Non-communicable Diseases in Women such as Obesity, Hypertension and Cardiac ailments; Cervical Cancer; HIV/AIDS; Depression and Mental Health.
The programme aimed at launching of an Integrated Gender Sensitive Science Communication Program for Reduction of Malnutrition and other Gender Based Discrimination among economically weaker sections of Women and Children. It is found that malnutrition is linked to women’s vulnerability towards ill health, depression and over all well being. The outcome of this intervention led to drawing up of a national and regional plan of action on combating malnutrition in women and children of the high prevalent states.
A Consultation seminar with stakeholders was organized in which interactive sessions with experts and specialization in the field of health and nutrition, psychology were held. It was attended by 600 health workers in and around Delhi. The awareness campaign was organized in the different slums of Delhi like Fatehpuri, Kabir Basti, Chandni Chowk, Lahori Gate, Phool Mandi, Jama Masjid, Nehru Camp, Bhoomiheen Camp, Delhi & New Delhi where health workers with doctors, physicians interacted with the women group and family.
A National Meet was organized in which Women Scientists, Doctors, Food and Nutrition Experts, Professionals working on Cervical Cancer and Mental Health had participated along with the grass root stakeholders namely, Sahayikas of Anganwadi and ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) and ASHA workers appointed under the National Rural Health Mission. A large number of Civil Society Members and Representatives of Women’s NGOs had joined the campaign.
A programme on development of Low Cost Resource Materials for Prevention of Gynecological Cancers was taken up jointly by VP and World Healthal Trust. The deliverables of the project were the following:
A) Resource material for training the Health workers
B) Resource material for the General Public
This programme is in final stage of production