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CHETNA'S
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WOMEN’S HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTTJESC URGE CENTRE
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STRATEGY PAPER
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8 A N Ci
DECEMBER, 1992
CENTRE FOR HEALTH EDUCATION, TRAINING & NUTRITION AWARENESS.
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LILAVATIBEN LALBHAI'S BUNGLOW. CIVIL -CAMP ROAD. SHAHIBAUG.
AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT, INDIA. 380 004
TELEPHONE AND FAX: 866513
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary
1
The Four Pillars of WHDRC
2
WHDRC's Vision, Mission, Strategy and Activities
3
Strategic Health Concerns
4
Life Cycle Interventions
5
Activity Cycle. ..........
Situation Analysis
Needs Assessment
Team Development
Programme Implementation.
Monitoring and Evaluation
6
7
7
7
Activity Programme
Documentation.....................
Material Development
Awareness-Raising and Sensitization
Capacity-Building
Networking
Advocacy
9
10
11
12
13
14
Strategic Assumptions for Planning Interventions
15
Appendix
Terms of Reference
18
WHDRC's Organizational Structure
19
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Appendix II
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
With the financial support of the MacArthur and Ford Foundations,
CHETNA launched a Women's Health and Development Resource Centre
(WHDRC) on October 1, 1992.
With a mission that seeks to empower women to gain control over
their own health, WHDRC's analysis and approach takes into account
the totality of women's social, economic and political environment,
including the implications of gender discrimination on women's
health.
In its attempt to enhance women's health status, WHDRC's
strategy addresses the social, physical, and psychological well
being of women throughout their life cycle.
Built on this firm foundation, WHDRC's strategy is to support NGOs,
GOs and other autonomous bodies in the states of Gujarat and
Rajasthan, India. Its strategy is to strengthen their capacity to
implement and manage effective health programmes for women through
awareness-raising and sensitization, the development of educational
and training material,
and by organizing capacity-building
workshops leading to organizational and human resource development.
In the process, WHDRC will initiate and foster the formation of
links among its partner organizations, building a strong network
for effective advocacy at the regional and national policy levels.
The present document provides a
philosophy and programme strategy.
detailed
outline
of
WHDRC•s
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THE FOUR PILLARS OF WHDRC
W H D R C
The following four pillars represent the underlying principles of
WHDRC's philosophy and strategy.
INTEGRATIVE
WHDRC recognizes that a woman's health encompasses her social,
physical, and psychological well being. These are considered to be
interconnected and will be addressed together in an integrative
fashion.
HOLISTIC
WHDRC does not see women merely in their role as mothers.
The
programme will focus on all the stages of the life cycle: infancy,
childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. WHDRC believes that
only by addressing the distinctive concerns of each stage can there
be a significant improvement in women's overall well being.
GENDER-SENSITIVE
WHDRC recognizes that gender discrimination is one of the important
determinants of women's low health status. Thus, understanding and
addressing the implications of gender relations, and enlisting the
participation of men and the community would be central to its
efforts in enhancing women's health and development.
REALISTIC
In its analysis and approach, WHDRC considers the totality of
political, economic and social factors that shape women's
environment, particularly norms, traditions, taboos, religion and
other forces which affect women's ability to control and improve
their health status.
2
CHETNA'S
WOMEN’S HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT RESOURCE CENTRE
VISION
WHDRC ENVISAGES AN EGALITARIAN AND JUST SOCIETY WHERE
EMPOWERED WOMEN LIVE HEALTHY LIVES.
MISSION/GOAL
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TO ENHANCE WOMEN’S HEALTH STATUS BY EMPOWERING THEM
TO GAIN CONTROL OVER THEIR OWN HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT
CONCERNS.
STRATEGY
TO SUPPORT GOs, NGOs AND OTHER AUTONOMOUS BODIES THAT
WORK IN THE STATES OF GUJARAT AND RAJASTHAN, INDIA BY
STRENGTHENING THEIR CAPACITY TO IMPLEMENT AND MANAGE
EFFECTIVE HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES FOR WOMEN.
ACTIVITIES
WHDRCS ACTIVITIES WILL FOCUS ON DOCUMENTATION, DEVELOPING
EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING MATERIAL,. AWARENESS-RAISING AND
SENSITIZING, ORGANIZING1 CAPACITY-BUILDING WORKSHOPS,
NETWORKING AND ADVOCACY.
3
WHDRC'S STRATEGIC HEALTH CONCERNS
WHDRC WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ITS ATTENTION ON NUTRITION, MATERNAL AND CHILD
HEALTH, AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES. ANAEMIA, WHICH IS PREVALENT AMONG WOMEN OF
ALL AGES, WILL RECEIVE SPECIAL ATTENTION.
IN ITS NEW STRATEGY, HOWEVER,
WHDRC WILL ALSO ADDRESS REPRODUCTIVE, OCCUPATIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH
AS PART OF ITS EFFORT TO ENHANCE WOMEN'S OVERALL HEALTH STATUS.
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NUTRITION
ANAEMIA AND OTHER
DEFICIENCY DISEASES,
MALNUTRITION,
LOW-COST FOODS, AND
UNAWARENESS OF
BALANCED DIET
AND FOOD GROUPS.
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REPRODUCTIVE
HEALTH
MENSTRUATION,
SEX EDUCATION,
TABOOS, INFERTILITY,
CONTRACEPTION,
MENOPAUSE,
PELVIC INFLAMMATORY
DISEASES,
REPRODUCTIVE TRACT
INFECTIONS,
STDs AND HIV.
MATERNAL & CHILD
HEALTH
INFECTIOUS
DISEASES
PRENATAL, PERINATAL AND
POSTNATAL CARE,
BREAST FEEDING,
MISCARRIAGE,
ABORTION,
WEANING AND
FEMALE INFANTICIDE.
SKIN DISEASES,
WATER, AIR-BORNE AND
RELATED DISEASES,
PREVENTIVE AND
RELATED DISEASES,
HYGIENE AND SANITATION.
OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH
PSYCHOLOGICAL
HEALTH
HEALTH HAZZARDS,
SAFETY GEAR,
SEXUAL HARASSMENT, AND
MULTIPLE BURDEN OF
WORK.
LOW SELF-ESTEEM,
LOW SELF-CONFIDENCE,
MENTAL DEPRESSION,
AND LACK OF DECISION
MAKING POWER.
1
WHDRC'S LIFE CYCLE INTERVENTIONS
THROUGH WHDRC'S HOLISTIC APPROACH, ALL STAGES OF WOMEN'S LIFE CYCLE WILL BE
ADDRESSED BY THE PROGRAMME, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION GIVEN TO ADOLESCENT
HEALTH.
CHETNA'S CHILD RESOURCE CENTRE WILL FOCUS ITS ATTENTION ON THOSE
BETWEEN THE AGES OF 3 AND 18.
INFANT
(0-1)
NEONATAL, PERINATAL AND
POSTNATAL CARE, BREAST
FEEDING, WEANING,
IMMUNIZATION,
PREVENTION OF DISEASES,
PROMOTION OF SOUND
TRADITIONAL HEALTH
PRACTICES, AND
SENSITIZING AGAINST
GENDER DISCRIMINATION.
ADOLESCENT
(13-19)
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NUTRITION, PREVENTION
OF DISEASES, SE\
EDUCATION, REPRODUCTIVE
HEALTH, PREPARATION FOR
MOTHERHOOD,
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH,
SENSITIZING AGAINST
GENDER DISCRIMINATION,
AND RAISING SELF-ESTEEM.
CHILD
(2-9)
NUTRITION, PREVENTION
OF DISEASES,
IMMUNIZATION,
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH,
SENSITIZING AGAINST
GENDER DISCRIMINATION,
AND RAISING SELF-ESTEEM.
ADULT WOMAN
(20-45)
NUTRITION, PREVENTION
OF DISEASES,
IMMUNIZATION, MATERNAL
AND REPRODUCTIVE
HEALTH, SEX EDUCATION,
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH,
PROMOTION OF SOUND
TRADITIONAL HEALTH
PRACTICES, SENSITIZING
AGAINST GENDER
DISCRIMINATION, AND
RAISING SELF-ESTEEM.
PRE-ADOLESCENT
(10-12)
NUTRITION,
SEX EDUCATION,
PREVENTION OF
DISEASES,
BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM,
AND PROMOTING
HEALTHY SOCIAL
BEHAVIOUR.
OLDER WOMAN
(46 + )
NUTRITION, PREVENTION
OF DISEASES,
GYNAECOLOGICAL
HEALTH (MENOPAUSE),
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH,
PROMOTION OF SOUND
TRADITIONAL HEALTH
PRACTICES, AND RAISING
SELF-ESTEEM.
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WHDRC'S ACTIVITY CYCLE
SITUATION
ANALYSIS
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MONITORING\
EVALUATION
PROGRAMME
IMPLEMENTATION
NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
TEAM
DEVELOPMENT
\
THE ABOVE ACTIVITY CYCLE IS PROGRAMMED TO BUILD WHDRC'S
INTERNAL CAPACITY FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND TO ENSURE MAXIMUM
SUCCESS OF ITS EXTERNAL ACTIVITY PROGRAMME.
SITUATION
ANALYSIS,
NEEDS
ASSESSMENTS,
TEAM
DEVELOPMENT
AND
MONITORING AND EVALUATION WILL TAKE PLACE ON AN ON-GOING
BASIS ACCORDING TO NEED.
THESE STEPS ARE NOT MUTUALLY
EXCLUSIVE, BUT RATHER THEY OVERLAP AND INTERACT THROUGHOUT
THE CYCLE.
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SITUATION ANALYSIS
Based on the analysis of available research and documentation, And
on CHETNA's ten years of experience in the field of preventive
health, WHDRC has developed a deep understanding of the situation
and condition of women's health in India.
This is outlined in
greater detail in WHDRC's Perspective Paper. CHETNA recognized the
need for more integrative, holistic, gender-sensitive and realistic
health programmes for women. The creation of WHDRC, its philosophy
and strategy represent a response to this need.
NEEDS ASSESSMENT
In order to implement its programme effectively, WHDRC will conduct
needs assessments with NGOs and GOs in the states of Gujarat and
Rajasthan. This process will help to determine the specific needs
of other organizations for documentation, education and training
material, and capacity building. Based on the results, WHDRC will
begin implementing its activity progrc-.iime.
TEAM DEVELOPMENT
In-house workshops for team development will be organized to
strengthen WHDRC's internal capacity for implementation.
The
workshops will focus on the health concerns which WHDRC recently
incorporated into its strategy. These include reproductive health,
occupational health, and psychological health.
For the newly
recruited team members, the workshops will also focus on WHDRC's
philosophy and strategy. Where necessary, other workshops will be
organized for knowledge and skill building in conducting
participatory trainings,
using computer software,
programme
planning, monitoring and evaluation.
PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
The objectives, content and strategies of each of WHDRC's programme
activities are summarized in the following pages.
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
On-going monitoring and periodical evaluations form an integral
part of WHDRC's internal programme cycle.
They will serve to
review WHDRC's activity programme and assess its progress in
relation to previously defined goals and objectives. The process
will draw attention to problems and limitations and highlight
successful activities and techniques which can be incorporated into
future plans to enhance the programme.
7
1
WHDRC'S ACTIVITY PROGRAMME
FOR STRENGTHENING THE CAPACITY OF NGOs AND GOs.
DOCUMENTATION
ADVOCACY
MATERIAL
DEVELOPMENT
WHDRC
AWARENESSRAISING\
SENSITIZATION
NETWORKING
CAPACITY
BUILDING
co
DOCUMENTATION
OBJECTIVE
To build a documentation unit comprising of books,
articles, journals, research papers, pamphlets, reports,
modules, audio cassettes and audio visual materials
related to women's health and development. This includes
information as well as education material. The unit will
be used by WHDRC and other GOs, NGOs, women's groups,
academicians, researchers, students and other interested
individuals.
CONTENT
issues
WHDRC will document material on relevant
pertaining to women's health and development, and
particularly on WHDRC's strategic health concerns, The
centre will also document WHDRC's experiences and
activities.
STRATEGY
The documentation unit will collect and classify material
which is already available, and review it to determine
its suitability, appropriateness and the languages in
which it is available. If required, material will be
translated into Gujarati, Hindi and/or English, and
adapted based on the needs of its target group. The unit
will also document and translate the experiences of
WHDRC,
its reports, the proceedings of workshops
attended, and the written and audio visual material which
is developed. Finally, the unit will disseminate material
according to need.
9
MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT
OBJECTIVE
Information material will provide the technical and
thematic input on women's health concerns which is needed
by other organizations. Material for education, awareness
raising, sensitization and capacity building will assist
organizations to implement woman-centred health education
at the grassroots level using WHDRC's strategy,
The
material
will
also
promote
self-reliance
and
sustainability by providing organizations with the
technical know-how for developing their own material and
for conducting internal trainings independently.
CONTENT
WHDRC will develop need-based written and audio visual
material on the technical aspects of women's health and
development, as well as material for education, training,
advocacy8 raiSlng' sensitization, capacity building and
L
_ __________
STRATEGY
WHDRC will review the material already available within
CHETNA and in other organizations in terms of their
suitability, appropriateness, and languages available.
WHDRC will translate available material into Gujarati,
Hindi and/or English, and adapt it in order to suit the
needs of its target groups. WHDRC will also encourage
organizations in other states within India to translate
material. Existing education and training material will
be modified and replicated based on the suggestions of
its users. Finally, WHDRC will develop and disseminate
material which is not available but needed by other
organizations.
10
AWARENESS-RAISING
SENSITIZATION
OBJECTIVE
To raise awareness and sensitize NGOs and GOs on women's
health and development concerns, and on the need to adopt
and implement WHDRC's strategy.
However,
WHDRC
recognizes that to encourage this, it is necessary to
work closely with supervisors and managers as they tend
to be the decision-makers.
Thus, workshops for
awareness-raising and sensitization will be directed at
trainers as well as supervisors or managers.
CONTENT
The focus will be on the conceptual understanding of
WHDRC's strategy and on promoting its adoption by other
organizations. Technical and subject information input
will also be provided on WHDRC's strategic health
concerns.
STRATEGY
WHDRC will organize local, state and national level
workshops and seminars for other GOs, NGOs and autonomous
bodies
specifically
for
awareness-raising
and
sensitization. These will be directed particularly
towards trainers and supervisors, but may also include
policy-makers, academicians, decision-makers and other
individuals
concerned
with
women's
health
and
development.
WHDRC will also participate in local,
state, national and regional workshops and seminars
organized by other organizations as a means of sharing
experiences, raising awareness and sensitizing, and of
promoting WHDRC's strategy.
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CAPACITY-BUILDING
OBJECTIVE
To build the capacity of NGOs and GOs to implement and
manage effective programmes for women's health and
development, and to promote their self-sufficiency so
that they can develop their own education and training
material, and conduct their own in-house trainings
independently.
CONTENT
Human ’Resource Development and^Programme Marfagement for
Trainers and Supervisors, which includes workshops on
conceptual understanding of WHDRC's strategy, technical
and subject information input, training for skill
development in training trainers on how to raise
awareness, sensitize, develop education and training
material, and conduct needs assessments, baseline surveys
and qualitative and participatory research. Workshops
will also focus on programme planning, monitoring and
evaluation.
STRATEGY
WHDRC will organize need-based workshops specifically for
building the capacity of GOs and NGOs in the states of
Gujarat and Rajasthan.
12
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NETWORKING
OBJECTIVE
' s strategy and
‘ experiences
~
--------To share WHDRC
WHDRC's
with
other
organizations, Networking
r *
’ *
will also promote cooperation
among all organizations "working ini women's health and
development. 7‘ will
— foster
‘
the formation of links among
WHDRC's partner organizations, <and’ help to build a
pressure group for policy advocacyr at the state and
national levels.
________ _______ CONTENT
WHDRC will network with NGOs, GOs and other autonomous
bodies concerned with women's health and development.
STRATEGY
WHDRC will participate in local, state, national,
regional,
and
international
workshops,
seminars,
conferences and other forums related to women's health
and development. WHDRC will also organize workshops on
women's health and development, and publish articles
through CHETNA's quarterly newsletter.
13
ADVOCACY
OBJECTIVE
To sensitize and orient government decision-makers on
women's health and development concerns, promote the
integration of WHDRC's strategy into the government
policy agenda, and ensure effective policy formulation
and implementation at the district, state and national
levels. WHDRC will also support the efforts of NGOs in
Gujarat and Rajasthan to implement government schemes
which are gender sensitive.
CONTENT
Critical analysis of government policies and programmes
on women's health and development, especially those on
nutrition, adolescent health, maternal and child health,
reproductive health, infectious diseases, occupational
health, psychological health, and on the promotion of
gender-sensitive traditional health practices.
STRATEGY
Document and share the experiences of NGOs, as well as
their major recommendations for policy makers in the
states of Gujarat and Rajasthan and at the national
level. WHDRC will participate in debates, meetings,
workshops, seminars and other forums organized at the
district, state and national levels. It will also
organize meetings, seminars and consultations on women's
health and development, and invite decision-makers for
dialogues with NGO representatives.
14
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STRATEGIC ASSUMPTIONS FOR PLANNING INTERVENTIONS t
Initially, WHDRC made a list of assumptions about women's health
and development concerns in general.
However, in order to
determine WHDRC's key areas of intervention it was necessary to
review the initial assumptions and to select only those which could
be adopted realistically, that is, based on CHETNA's past
experiences, its resources and capacity. Thus, the review process
generated a list of carefully selected strategic assumptions. Each
strategic assumption reflected a specific need and therefore helped
to determine an area for planned intervention.
WHDRC's strategic assumptions and areas for planned intervention
are grouped below according to the strategic health concerns
addressed by the programme.
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NUTRITION, MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH, AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES
1) Nutrition, maternal and child health, and infectious diseases
are important concerns for women's health and development.
WHDRC will address these strategic health concern as part of its
overall effort to improve women's health status.
i
2)
The specific needs of NGOs and GOs regarding nutrition,
maternal and child health and infectious diseases are not presently
known to WHDRC.
WHDRC will conduct a needs assessment.
3)
WHDRC has an extensive body of documentation on nutrition,
maternal and child health, and infectious diseases.
WHDRC will only collect and classify new and up-to-date material
that relate to these issues.
However, it will translate, adapt and disseminate material from its
documentation centre on an on-going basis according to need.
I
4)
WHDRC's senior team members have the knowledge, skills and
experience necessary to address these health concerns.
However,
WHDRC's newly appointed members will need some orientation.
15
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WHDRC will conduct in-house workshops for team development on
nutrition, maternal and child health, and infectious diseases.
5) Other organizations will not necessarily respond positively to
WHDRC's efforts and strategy.
WHDRC will organize workshops and seminars to raise awareness and
sensitize health organizations on the need to implement WHDRC's
strategy.
6)
Health organizations require
education and training material.
appropriate
and
effective
WHDRC will develop and disseminate need-based and woman-centred
education and training material on these three health concerns.
7) Not all organizations have the capacity to implement and manage
effective programmes on nutrition, maternal and child health and
infectious diseases.
WHDRC will organize need-based workshops for capacity building.
8)
There is a need for sharing experiences and for greater
cooperation and linkages among GOs, NGOs and other autonomous
bodies concerned with women's health and development.
WHDRC will network through its newsletter and periodicals, and by
organizing and participating in local, state, national and regional
workshops, seminars, conferences and other such forums which
address nutrition, maternal and child health, and infectious
diseases.
9)
There is need for gender sensitive and holistic government
policies on nutrition, maternal and child health and infectious
diseases.
WHDRC will advocate for positive changes at the policy level.
16
«
REPRODUCTIVE, OCCUPATIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH
1)
Reproductive, occupational, and
crucial to women's overall well-being.
psychological
health
are
WHDRC will address these health concerns as part of its overall
effort to improve women's health status.
The specific needs of organizations concerning these health
2)
concerns are not yet known to WHDRC.
WHDRC will conduct a needs assessment.
There is need within WHDRC for documentation and research on
3)
all these health issues.
WHDRC will promote research and will collect, classify, translate,
adapt and disseminate written and audio visual material that relate
to these health concerns.
In-house workshops for team development are required in order
4)
to build WHDRC's internal capacity to address these health
concerns.
WHDRC will conduct in-house training workshops for team development
in reproductive, occupational, and psychological health.
5)
Development organizations will not
positively to WHDRC's efforts and strategy.
necessarily
respond
WHDRC will organize workshops and seminars to raise awareness and
sensitize organizations on the need to implement WHDRC*s strategy
for addressing effectively these health concerns.
6) For these three health issues, there is need for education and
training material, capacity-building, networking and advocacy, but
WHDRC will need to strengthen its own internal capacity first in
order to address these concerns effectively.
WHDRC will initially concentrate its efforts on documentation and
research, awareness raising, and team development before phasing
into the next stages of material development, capacity-building,
networking and advocacy. For these it will seek external support.
17
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APPENDIX I
TERMS OF REFERENCE
i
HEALTH
A state of physical, psychological, emotional and social well being
that derives from having knowledge of health, control over one's
health, and access to adequate health facilities.
EMPOWERMENT
Raising women's level of consciousness towards an understanding of
the physical and social causes of ill health, articulating
alternatives for improving their health, and developing those
skills which have the transformational potential <of~ enhancing
"
women's health status and their ability to act as decision-makers
in matters that concern their own health and development.
?
SELF-ESTEEM
Awareness and appreciation of one's strengths, having a positive
image of oneself and a sense of self-worth, as well as confidence
in one's ability to control and enhance one's health status.
18
ORGANIS
WHDRC
AND
\
/
<
DIRECTOR^S^^
''vbProgramme Officer
PROGRAMME RESOURCE PERSONS
*
Technical
*
Women's Development
PROJECT ASSOCIATES
*
*
Training
Research
Documentat ion
FIELD RESOURCE PERSONS
*
A
FIGURE I
k
Support Staff
ADMINISTRATION
* Accounts
* Art ists
Library and Documentation
Helper and Assistant
T raining
Research
Documentat ion
: ORGANISATION CHART OF WOMEN’S HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT RESOURCE CENTRE
7
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WHAT IS CHETNA?
CHETNA, which means 'awareness' in many Indian languages, defines
its mission as the empowerment of disadvantaged women and children
so they can gain control over their health and that of their
families and their communities.
CHETNA, the Centre for Health Education, Training and Nutrition
Awareness, is a non-governmental organization (NGO) based in
Ahmedabad, Gujarat. CHETNA provides technical and capacity-building
support to NGOs, GOs and other autonomous bodies that work in the
areas of health and nutrition for women and children.
Founded in 1980, CHETNA began with a single project: To improve the
effectiveness of the government-implemented Supplementary Feeding
Programmes for mothers and children in Gujarat., With the success of
that project, the government asked CHETNA to develop training and
education modules for the implementation of health and nutrition
programmes designed to help disadvantaged mothers and children in
rural, tribal and urban areas in India.
Over the past decade, CHETNA has broadened its activities in the
field of health and nutrition education for women and children. Its
impact can be felt in rural, tribal and urban areas of Gujarat and
Rajasthan.
CHETNA develops and field-tests all their training and educational
materials. The training programmes can be easily modified to suit
the needs of individual organisations and communities.
CHETNA believes that a participatory approach is the most effective
way to educate women and children on health-care concerns. Creating
basic health information that can be understood by women and
children regardless of their education level is the challenge
facing CHETNA's team. CHETNA has met this challenge by devising a
variety of creative participatory materials to teach health and
nutrition: skits, illustrations, role-plays and songs.
As a support agency, CHETNA works with GOs, NGOs and autonomous
bodies to improve their capacity to implement and manage effective
health programmes for disadvantaged women and children. Through
training programmes and educational material, CHETNA ensures that
grassroot health and nutrition programmes meet the needs of
disadvantaged women and children.
Other activities that CHETNA supports include awareness programmes
for village women; fertility awareness camps for women and
adolescent girls; and action research on traditional health-care
practices.
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CHETNA provides information and resource material on woman and
child health to both the government and voluntary sectors. It also
acts as a liaison between local health and nutrition workers and
policy makers
to
ensure
that
programmes
are
implemented
effectively.
CHETNA is represented on several state, regional and national level
policy-making bodies and is also frequently invited to share its
knowledge and experience at international workshops.
CHETNA started its Child Resource Centre (CRC) activities in June
1991. The CRC draws upon CHETNA's first-hand experience in
children's health and nutrition education. The CRC documents and
designs innovative educational materials on a variety of health and
nutrition concerns that can be used to empower children and to
train child care workers and teachers•
On a broader level, the CRC acts as a liaison between child-centred
organisations and relevant governrent departments. In doing so, the
CRC tries to ensure that government policies meet the needs or
children.
In October 1992, CHETNA initiated a Women's Health and Development
Resource Centre (WHDRC). The Centre addresses the physical, social
and psychological health concerns of women of all ages, rather than
focusing exclusively on women of a child-bearing age.
Because CHETNA believes an individual's health cannot be separated
from the society in which they live, the WHDRC will also consider
the societal and cultural factors that can adversely affect a
woman's health.
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Chaitanyaa
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ShaNbaug. Ahrnedabad 360 004. Gujarat. Ind.a,
Gram : CHETNESS
Telex.' 91 121-6779 CEE IN and &1-121-616 RASA IN Fax: 91-272-866513 and 91-272-420242
Phone: 866513. 866695
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