Tanuja Sharmi - Report.pdf · Community Health

Tanuja Sharmi - Report.pdf

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extracted text: Report of Community Health Learning
programme (CHLP) 2009

Mentor
E. Premdas

Tanuja
Community Health Learning Programme – Intern
Community Health Cell
Bangalore – 560 068

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CONTENTS
1. Acknowledgment
2. Final report of Community Health Learning Programme
3. Learning Objective/plan of action with time line & activities
4. List of visits and the work during Internship field visits
5. Orientation Report
6. Report of visiting in SAMA
7. Report of visiting Naz Foundation New Delhi
8. Report of International People’s Health University (IPHU)
9. Report of visit in Chennai
10.

Report – Daughter of fire

11.

Report of meeting attended at (CVIC)

12.

Looking Inward

13.

Looking Outward

14.

Looking Ahead

15.

Feedback

16.

Field Project Report

17.

Books Read

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Acknowledgment
In my short journey through the Community Health Learning Programme at
Community Health Cell, Bangalore, I would like to thank first of all Dr.Ravi
Narayan and Dr. Thelma for openness to teach and their inspiration.
I would like to thank Dr. Sukanya for arranging such a wonderful programme
and also encouraging each fellow to participate in discussion and learning.
The structure of the programme was systematic and appropriate to understand
and learn.
I would like to acknowledge Dr Rakhal for his encouragement in helping me
complete my last three months field project report.
I would like sincerely thank both my mentor Mr. E. Premdas and Sathyasree,
without whom I would not have completed my final report. They helped me
to think deeply in each of my field visit. This helped me to express my views
and observation in the sharing meeting.
Special thanks to Dr. Ruth Vivek for her encouragement in completing this
report and for teaching me computer application skills which was valuable.
I would like to thank all resource persons of CHLP programme. It was nice to
hear their experiences. I would also like to thank the organizing team of
CHLP.

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2. Final report of Community Health Learning Programme
Why did I join the fellowship?
Since five years, I have been working in the field of HIV and AIDS. But it was very
specific and I was unable to work in the area of women’s health in general at the community
level. So I wanted to understand about women’s health and women’s problem, health care
services available do them. I joined this fellowship programme to learn more about
community health and People’s health movement at local, national and international circle
as I wanted to become a health activist and commit myself to working with the vulnerable
community in the society. I wanted to know health issues of other countries and health
system, the policies and programmes taken up by their governments. I want to understand
the national health policy, the various programmes, their access and awareness about the
health services by common people. I wanted to learn training skills to impart training to
health workers, nurses, ANMs, NGOs and health activists.
I came to know about this programme through Ms. Varsha who is a ex-fellow of CHLP
and working with the same Network as vice president I thank her for sharing about CHLP
and her experience in CHLP. After that I had a talk with Dr. Sukanya and sent my CV.
After that I got a immediate call from Sukanya to attend the interview; I was in Chirang
district to attend the interview in ANT with Dr. Sunil Kaul and Jennifer Liang.
Learning objectives/ plan of action with Time line of activities
After finishing the orientation, all the CHLP fellows prepared their learning objectives and
selected field placements in different organizations. My learning objective are as
mentioned below:
•
•
•
•
•
•

To understand the role of women’s movements in India, especially in
addressing violence against women and women’s health issues
Establish Network and linkages with larger women’s groups to strengthen
PWN+ in addressing issues of women living with HIV/AIDS.
To learn functions of NRHM and how it addresses women's health issues.
To identify the challenges in access to health care for women.
To strengthen the PWN+ in advocacy for women health rights.
To learn basic computer applications

3. Learning Objective/plan of action with time line & activities
Learning objective 1: To understanding the role of women’s movement in India,
especially in addressing violence against women and women health issues
How I learnt this?
• Meeting with organization working on women’s issues and discussions with women’s
movement leaders.

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•
•

Reading and learning through visits about women’s movement and violence against
women.
Attending training programme on how to address issues of violence against women

Learning objective 2: Network and linkages with larger women’s groups so as to
strengthen PWN+ in addressing issues of women living with HIV/AIDS
How I learnt this?
• Documentation of these processes.
• To know the processes in networking from the national Network and the other women
organizations.
Learning objective 3: To learn functioning of NRHM and how it addresses women's
health issues.
How I learnt this?
• Reading about NRHM
• Visiting organization focusing on NRHM in the northeast.
• Visiting PHC, CHC and talking to ASHA, ANM and Medical officer.
Learning objective 4: To identify the challenges in access of health care for women
How I learnt this?
• Reading about health care for women.
• Sharing and experience with other women group.
Learning objective 5: To strengthen the PWN+ in advocacy for women’s health rights.
How I learnt this?
• Training for advocacy skill
• Organize campaign
• Learning communication skill
Learning objective 5: To learn computer and applications.
How I learnt this?
• Personal learning of Computer applications

4. List of visits and the work during Internship field visits
List of visits made during the Internship Field visits June -August 2009
• Interaction with Milana foundation staff special with HIV positive women
• Visit to PHC, Thoubal & Mekhola, Imphal East & West District

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• Visit to CHC, Wangoi, Imphal West District
• Met Joint director, State Social Welfare Office
• Met Project officer, Social Welfare Department Imphal east District,
• Met NRHM state Co ordinater Monota Devi
• Dr Usha (Ayush),
• ANM Sumanti, Para medical staff, ICTC counseller at PHC, Mekhola, Imphal West
District
September – October
• IPHU Bangalore Course
• Visit to Vimochana
• Visit to PWM+ National head office, Chennai
• Visited Tiruchy DIC project
• Community Health Cell branch office, Chennai
• Attended orientation program on Psychosocial effects of disasters, NIMHANS,
Bangalore
• Karnataka Network of Positive people living with HIV and AIDS
• November
• Attainting meeting on “Decentralization of HIV services in Imphal West, Manipur.

5. Orientation Report
Community Health Learning Orientation Report
Period: - 4th May to 4th June
Introduction: In the forty days orientation I started my journey leaving behind family, the
lovely mountain ranges, forest, trees, flowers and animals, wild bird are singing and
dancing in the monsoon winds that bring us rain back home. During these days I can feel
the weather changes that make me feel that passing through the noisy city is harmful to my
health. I miss home, however I am very much excited to see a very long bus like thing in
which we can sit, sleep and eat inside What is that? I knew that is called a train. I was
enjoying talking with different persons on a pleasant morning blessed with the cold air and
green trees started moving and dancing on that nice pleasant morning in Bangalore city.
On the 4th of May it was a eye opener for me to see that there are many people working on
Community Health as we are working for HIV and AIDS in the community. On the first
day sessions started by welcoming the fellowship participants; the CHC staff started their
own personal sharing and was followed by introduction to all the other participants to know
each other, it was quite interesting getting to know each other.
This was followed by introduction to SOCHARA and CHLP. Evolving programme
expectation from the participants, after this overview of the learning methods of CHLP and

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expectation from the programme was explained. Finally introduction to Library and
administration matters was done.
My personal experience and reflection
The potential of the social resource, dignity and of limited family resources and
understanding about (availblality, accessibility, capability) understanding various aspect
that contribute to ill- health was good. Further learning and reflection about four case study
of different story that was presented by group was very meaningful. Story of the 12 year
old orphan boy smoking very badly was discussed, and being a social worker how we can
help this boy many such points came up.
1. Referral to the orphan house
2. Giving awareness (with easy method to the child)
The next session on Monsoon game helped in understanding society on determinantsof
health.
Knowing and understanding our self in the group situation (work in a group) all the
participants were sharing and reflecting what they had done individually. My reflection is
that by sharing all the negative aspects for all the fellow CHLP participants we understood
the three circles, first one is community they live in, the second different geographical area
and different academic background and lastly different NGOs. We also understood the
Government sector and CBO and more about the individual (feedback chat) too; for
example the chart depicts it below1. Public self

2. Private self

3. Blind spots

4. unknown self

After this we understood more about the five human values and some concepts like
difference between the equity and equality. My understanding on SWOT was also raisedS- strength
W- Weakness
O- Opportunity
T- Threat
Further knowing about the adult education was helpful. Concept comes first and alphabets
comes next this understanding was meaningful. There was further reflection about the
paradigm shift to the set of rules, knowing more about the organic farming, health and
physical mental, difference between the group 1 and group 2
Group1
Impersonal

Group 2
Personal

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Paradigm shift
Medical model

Social

Individual

Community

Drug techniques

People

We also came to know about health situation in India like International Health Laws,
understanding about the changing people’s role (public hearing, research work, portals)
along with understanding what community wants to do. We also enhanced understanding
of the PHC, financial and social aspect that operates through government system and what
support exists for the community. Based on community’s need and taking their resources
planning and implementation should be done. We also came to know about how organic
farming is helpful to the community people; about Right based approach for women and
issues related safe delivery.
We understood some Government system and policy and reflected a lot after watching
related videos. We also heard a caste of story of Bhavya, who is very courageous and active
in the community to bring the social change for the society.
We understood that while working with the community the doctors and nurses need not be
confined in one’s own state or districts, they should go to the remote areas, rural villages
and hilly areas to work with the community and society with accountability and equity and
value with humanity.

The session that impacted me the most
Attending all the sessions was very nice and helpful for my future work but the session that
impacted me most is alternative system. As I am working for HIV and AIDS, knowing
alternative system it also helpful for my Network and other community based organization.
Due to the side effects of using ART medicine most PLHA experience many side effects.
If the CD4 count is more than 200 they can use the alternative treatment like Ayurveda,
Homeopathy, Siddha, Unani, Yoga and other Naturopathy to maintain their immune
system and control it by using these alternative medicine system systematically so that their
life span is increased.

My Group learning
Learning from group is very diverse and exciting to me especially staying together for forty
days we get to know each other more and are able to do our personal reflection and find

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our blind spot. I find it very much interesting when we all together find out all our blind
spots and then compare my own reflection for each individual. Finding out their blind spot
with one another person, is very difficult compared to finding out the positives. However
each individual friend tries to change their blind spot in a positive way. This was a great
change within the group that I feel was of immense learning. I also learnt from group from
their own experience of me. There were other group learning techniques through different
games, role-play etc that was also a great learning experience for me.

a) What did I do in the last two months? (Organizations, persons I visited, interacted,
and what did I learn?
In last two month I had attended GIPA (Greater Involvement of People living with HIV
and AIDS) consultation regional workshop at Guwahati that was a planning workshop
towards strengthening all districts level Positive Network and chalking out North East
Indian state for implementing Drop in Center for people living with HIV and AIDS. There
was discussion and sharing for women drop in center the gap and issue of Manipur‘s
women living with HIV and AIDS. In the consultation they shared all the regional issue of
people living with HIV and AIDS and on the last day we finalized the draft to be will
submitted to National AIDS Control Society.
Since one of my learning objectives was to understand NRHM in Manipur, I visited
Secretariat of NRHM office in Manipur. On the first day I met with state project cocoordinator Monota and she started explaining how NRHM has been started in Manipur.
It was from 12 April November 2005 that NRHMwas launched in Manipur, meanwhile
Project Co ordinator was talking about Mobile free health camp that was conducted16
times in a year. She was also sharing about the system and functioning of PHC and CHC
in Manipur, alternative system like AYUSH medical care is also available in state and
district.
I also visited social welfare office Imphal East District and spoke with district office about
the ICDS scheme how they work with children and women; in the interaction I understood
about the Mekola PHC; the PHC is for a total population 30,128, I interacted with Dr
Ushers (AYUSH), ANM Sumanti, Para medical staff regarding Immunization day Tuesday
and Thursday, Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), (OPD) time (9am to 2pm) for both allopathic
and AYUSH. Finally we discussed about 25 ASHAs who have been trained.
I also went to Wangai CHC meeting and spoke to ICTC counsellor about whether any HIV
Positive pregnant women they referred to PPCTC center for further treatment for both
mother and Child also some women they referral to community base organization.
My learnings
Understanding NRHM and what are the services and functioning in district and state level.
The PHC that I visited was clean and doing well but the quarter for Doctor and Nurses was

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not completed and the construction is going on, because of this services from doctors and
nurses were not available.
After visiting the CHC I found there are service gaps; the operation theater was not
functioning, no sterilization camp, but they did referral to district hospital. I also learn from
CHC regarding the services available in the CHC at Wongoi, generally they were1. Emergency and Curative
2. Preventive
3. Promtive
4. Administrative
From Social welfare office I learnt what are the ICDS and Angwandi worker do for the
women and children in the community and the society how they care for children from age
of 0 to 6yrs old. Immunization of polio and other immunisation for the pregnant women of
the rural and urban women health care is also done from Social Welfare Department.
What excited me the most and also what made me feel very sad /depressed? What did
I learn about my own self?
I was excited to see PHC at Makola, which was clean inside and also outside the
environment is also green and clean. All modern medical equipment and items were also
there in the PHC. When I start talking with district assistant office of NRHM Manipur I
was feel very much sad and depressed regarding non- availability of services in the remote
hill district of Manipur.
Accessibility of health care, provision of PHC and CHC in hill area is limited and I feel
state government should look at the gap of health services in hill area. Further lack of safe
drinking water facility and sanitation and the distance of PHC and CHC from the villages
of hill district is also a matter of grave concern. And lastly when I call CHC to mentor, if
he or she is not giving reply to me I feel very depressed and mentally stressed so much that
I cannot sleep at night.
What did I learn about Community Health in these various settings? Experience of
working with communities, community participation and community mobilization.

Challenges of setting up community health work.
In various meeting and in my visit many organizations, I learnt new aspects about
community health and what are our Rights to access health care through PHC and CHC. I
also learnt more about social determinant of health1. Food
2. water and sanitation
3. Housing
4. Livelihood
5. healthy environment

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Health is the social, cultural, spiritual, political and economic, physical aspect of well being
this was also learning for me. I also learnt where people find health services and gap for
denials, lack of access to services facility in one’s own district and state. Further I also feel
there is a very larger scope and it is very interesting to learn about community health.
What are the questions for which I am still looking for answers?
I am still looking for new questions and answers for my next visit interaction with new
people, new place and organization and I wonder what they do through the community
health approach with HIV and AIDs for the women and children. I also pray to God to give
me the strength to work with the community with love and dignity.

6. Report of visiting in SAMA
Report of visiting in SAMA Slivalik Malviya Nagar New Delhi
Duration: - 10 August to 26 August 2009
On my first day I found out where SAMA is located in Malviya Nagar . I had called my
field mentor Deepa but she was busy in meeting so I could not meet Deepa on 9th of August,
I met project associate Anjali, Beenu, Preeti, Sushila and Bhavana. The next day that is
10th of August I joined SAMA. SAMA is a Resource Group for Women and Health based
in Delhi and was initiated by group of women health activists from different parts of India,
who have been involved now for several years with it.
SAMA believes in confronting all forms of discrimination and emphasizes equality,
empowerment of communities and perceives health from a gender, caste, class and rights
perceptive. SAMA views health not merely as the absence of disease but as a state of
overall well being, which is influenced by her access to livelihood, food security,
employment, education and the incidence of violence whether it be societal, familial,
communal or medical. On day first I read few SAMA publications, namely
1. Talking about Infertility
2. Unveiled Realities
3. Beyond Numbers (implications of the two- child norm.)
SAMA is looking at issues for women and health, and works closely with tribal, dalit and
minority communities primarily on health, reproductive rights, violence and socialeconomic well being of women and the underprivileged. SAMA believes in confronting
all forms of discrimination and emphasizing on equality, empowerment and right of women
from marginalized sectors. Some of their other activities include training and capacity
building, material production, research, advocacy and networking. After reading the
publication Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), my reflections are as follows These are highly invasive procedures, they have low success rates, having serious
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risks and side effects and they are expensive.
 Do not treat infertility, only assist in reproduction
 Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) industry in the country has posed a
number of ethical, legal and social dilemmas, commoditization and
commercialization of women’s reproductive tissues.
 ART there are many issues in the entire document which are not in the interest of
women’s rights, child right and rather promote the interest of ART industry.
Some of my learning on the side effects of Depo- Provera users is that there are side effects
like Amenorrhea (stop the period); Heavy Bleeding, Weight Gain, Lack of Sexual Desire,
Skin Discoloration ( skin becoming darker). Further there is Hair Loss. Anxiety and
Depression (women strongly articulated that this kind of anxiety and depression was a
result of the drug and not due to the usual household stress) was experienced. There are
also long- term side effects like Endometrial atrophy:- women’s future fertility status;
Breast cancers; Bone mineral density (education in the bone mineral density of the lumbar
spine and femoral neck); Heart Disease and sometimes also HIV (injection with non- sterile
needles or syringes increase the risk).
In SAMA we had some reflection with training coordinator Susheela as to how traning and
capacity building contribute to building awareness and development of leadership
(particularly on health issues) among people who work with community base organization,
collectives, women’s groups in rural and urban areas and young people. The training and
capacity building workshops also facilitate creation of linkages between grassroots
organizations, women’s collectives and larger movements towards influencing policy and
strengthening local efforts achieving the Right to Health.
The nature of the trainings is determined by their context and the needs of the groups and
ranges from intensive one-time inputs on specific issues to sustained training continue to
expand and evolve The training content underlines key issues of gender, socio-economic
context, livelihood and other larger determinants influencing health, health policies,
programs and the services delivery system, literacy and common health problems,
especially with respect to occupational sexual rights, local knowledge systems, health right,
women right, violence, research methodology and analysis.
SAMA has trained over 900 health activists and organization from state like Andhra
Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Orissa,
Rajasthan, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil
Nanu, through more than 100 workshops, trainings, and orientation at the community, state,
regional, and national level.
7. Report of visiting Naz Foundation New Delhi
When I first saw Naz- foundation it difficult to find it as it was like a big house, after
confirming that I met Dr Nareshkumar who introduce me to the project coodinator Tanuja
gave details about Naz Foundation care home center for Orphans HIV positive children.
The center has children from all states of India and they were 0 to 15 years of age kept at
the center. There were 22 boys and 20 girls.

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Totally 42 children are staying in the care home and out of them children 27 children are
on ART (Anti Retroviral Therapy) and two of them started 2 line ART some children
should stay in isolation room because this is trial phase and they are given special care.
Caregiver monitors the ART drug in time and any side effects to the drugs within seven
days is reported and a doctor is consulted. A total of 17 children were in trail phase. The
care giver goes with the children to Kolabati children hospital Paediatric center New Delhi
once in every 6 month as they need to do CD4 count testing.
All the care giver are doing very well; I saw one care giver who came from Kolabati
children ART center with one child who is 3 and half years old boy and a one year two
month old girl. This caregiver was from Manipur. Dr Naresh kumar shared about the staff
structure, I learnt that they have 14 caregiver and 2 Counseller and one staff nurse. I was
guided by the Manipuri nurse and a caregiver, I went inside and saw different rooms,
isolation room, computer room, study room, dinning room, kitchen room. Usually food
with less spices is given, fresh, hot and good nutritious food is given. In the morning
children go to school after finishing their breakfast after coming back from the school they
eat their lunch hot and fresh. Both the doctor and counseller provide counseling services
and care giver goes for home visit to HIV positive family.
I visited Jagori office New Delhi and attended meeting that had special focus on Muslim
women and Hashan Khan was the main speaker who is working with the Muslim women
and she spoke about challenges for strengthening the women Sangha. Some areas of
education and rights of Muslim women from the perspective of Muslim Law was discussed
there.
She was talking about campaigns for Muslim women rights; five groups of women self
help group joined together and Implement the project of with Lawyer’s Collective. I found
that Hindu law and Muslim law is very different; almost all the Muslim women were
wearing prada (burkha) however while in the meeting they open their veil and were taking
decision for all the Muslim women’s right. The women felt some ownership towards the
self help group.
What excited me the most and also what made me feel very sad /depressed? What did I
learn about my own self?
I was most excited when I saw the heavy traffic in Delhi while I am trying to crossing the
road I was caught by the traffic police men fine Rs. 20 for crossing in the busy road not
abiding by the rules to use the subway crossing I paid the Rs. 20 fine and really I feel very
excited and very sad. While visiting Naz Foundation when I met the orphans/ children
especially young girl of 1 years and 2 month I was sad. Seeing children who already started
ART (Anti Retroviral Therapy) and a 3and half year old boy has started second line ART
drug was also very sad and disturbing.
For me I learn communication and talking skills and networking with larger women
organization, further participating with the issues of Manipur through linkages and

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networking was a great learning. Further learning more about the women health of India,
problems faced by women, reading the publications of SAMA were all great learning for
me.
Finally learning computer application course was of great help. Learning that Violence
against women is a public health issues was a new insight for me. Assisted Reproductive
Technologies (ART) that was the main action research working going on now in progress
gave me learning.
Some of the main issues that I learnt from SAMA are
 Public Health and Right to Health Care from perspective of Women & Violence
 Reproductive Health and Health Rights and the Two Child Norm
 Reproductive and Medical Technologies
 Health related Policies, Programs and Legislations
8. Report of International People’s Health University (IPHU)
Report of International People’s Health University (IPHU) Bangalore at NTI and
People Health Movement (PHM) “Health for Equity”
From: - September 1- 9th, 2009
The programs was jointly organize by Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (PHM- India), Prayas
(Chittargarh) and Community Health Cell (Sochara)
Session stared with lighting the Lamp with all the participant from 15 countries
symbolizing that for every country health should be like lighting as flame of light .Health
for all Now!!
All the participants shared their own work experience. There were discussions on People
Health Charter, Understanding the right of health, women’s right. Further all these were
discussed from people’s perspective and from a rights based approach. Issues of Conflict,
globalization and their effect on health were discussed.
Finally all the participants of different country were called for lighting the lamp wishing
that like the lamp, the light of health will be bright and bring goodness to all of our countries
with Health for all! Certificates for each of the IPHU participants were also distributed for
all the participants.

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9. Report of visit to Chennai
Report of visiting Chennai from 15 September to 21 September 2009
As a part of my learning objective of CHLP programme, strengthening PWN+ was
selected. Along with four executive board members including me has been discussing to
implement the Drop in Project (DIC) for every state. Through districts level DIC, all the
state executives board should strongly talk and advocate for their own state along with the
AIDS control society Project Director to start implementing their project for their own
state.
Now Tamil Nadu has been implemented the DIC project through state for district level
network While staying and working with PWN+ we discussed about organizing one
national level advocacy programmers at Delhi in the month of October 2009 .We also
decided to conduct board meeting in the month.
We also shared all our own personal family problem at that time we feel very emotional
and every one felt cared for and committed we will live longer life with good health, taking
nutrition through positive living and thinking. Along with the
national president
Padmavathy we went for one day to Trichy visiting the DIC project and we conducted
support group meeting for women living with HIV and AIDS.
Talking about schemes we spoke about widow pension scheme etc. after coming back from
district I attended the workshop on safe delivery organized by Rural Women’s Social
education center. The workshop focused on looking at what is safe delivery both technical
and from women’s perspective.
In the Tamil Nadu 80% women have delivery in the public hospitals as the government has
increased the areas covered by the PHC there. The quality of maternal and child health
services in Tamil Nadu has increased as the community is using the report card.
Move towards institutionalization is much more than just conducting deliveries with the
shifting of ANC services and the services of VHN was also seen. Government is not able
to control the private sector that is pushing the public sector in many detrimental ways.
Safe delivery in different form the institution delivery. In the PHC they have no trained
personnel or expert for safe delivery during which time they refer to the private sector.
A delivery is “safe” whether at home or in institution or when in the public or private sector
when both the mother and child are safe! Inclusion of needs of special interest group
including women living HIV and AIDS has to be also seen.
Finally with contribution from all the participants, the final recommendation on the draft
on safe delivery was done. I also visited the Chennai Community Health Cell branch office
and I interacted with Ameer Khan especially taking about the community monitoring for
five districts in Tamil Nadu state.

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10. Report – Daughter of fire
Attending Daughter of fire (at Christ University Bangalore) 27-28 July 2009
India court of women on dowry and related forms of violence against women
Being a part of the internship of community health cell gave me the opportunity to take
part in this excellent programme of two days. It triggered in me to think about dowry in
India and how can we changes this system. In Manipur context there is no dowry system,
therefore for me this was my new challenge to try to look at other dowry violence in India
context. During the programme the songs and picture was excellent, further the pictures of
women sharing their own stories through pictures motivated me.
There were simultaneous roundtables and one could choose any roundtable; they were
reviewing dowry, the family and marriage in the context of growing economic and cultural
fundamentalism; some of the salient facts were due to dowry related issues etc. Nearly
25000 women are killed every year due to dowry, whereas FIR registered is very low.
Agriculturist families wants son to be born, because if the daughter is born due to dowry
requirement they might kill their daughter.
In the last day the testimonies sharing took place from different parts of the state, which
the women have faced, from their own family. Finally the court of women reflected
together on the process and outcomes of the Court towards planning national level
campaigns as a follow-up to this court, during the consultation, policy makers and civil
society actors took part through experiential and analytical learning. Vimochana and Asian
women’s human right council in partnership with many women’s organization organized
this court.

11. Report of meeting attended at (CIVIC)
Attending the meeting organized by CVIC (Citizen Voluntary Initiative for the City)
at Shanti Nagar Bangalore
Dr. Supriya Roy Choudhury spoke about her research work that was undertaken in 16
slums in Karnataka state in years 2006- 2007• Declining small industries
• Declining public sector
• Slum contributes to 3.3% poverty in Karnataka
• Increasing population in the slum
• Increasing child labour almost 36% in slums
• No access to the government scheme and program in slum
• Substance abuse is very high
• Majority are unemployed
• Housing scheme of government like (SCRY and SGP) scheme not sufficient

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12. Looking Inward
Looking inward
 While looking back at myself, I saw many differences that happened; during my
field placement, my thinking capacity has improved.
 I am more exposed to a world of development secotr and to the thinking of holistic
approach.
 I met activists, organization and network to understand the problems that is not only
theirs but they struggle with their own community.
 Struggling for their own rights, I have understood how that even social boycott,
stigma and discrimination from their community can be removed.
 Every issue or problem is related to well-being and health and also I can relate now
each issue to health.
 Being exposed to different forms of traveling has given me the experience to make
friends and understand people from their perspective.
 My observation skill and communication skill has also improved to understand the
situation much better.
 My understanding of the women health issues has improved and broadened as I
also met many women having health problem.
 Issues like dowry, sexual reproductive and other related women health issues are
also causes of women’s ill health.

13. Looking Outward
Learning Experience:
 My first inward learning was what is community health
 Community health should be understood as a process through which people are
made aware of their real needs,
 It is a matter of rights, responsibility and the awareness of available resources in
and around them and get themselves organized for appropriate action.

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 I understood that Community health is “Health is the total well-being of individuals families and communities as a whole and not
merely the absence of science. This demands on environment in which the basic needs are
fulfilled, social well-being is ensured and psychogicial as well as spiritual needs are net.
 My learning and understanding about community health why people need their
health as concerned.
 As I also visited Potnal in Raichur district that was also my inward learning to see
Dailt women groups.
 They were too strong how they started their groups and challenges to improve their
health status while facing stigma and discrimination
 The struggle of the community and even with their health center, like sub center
and PHC to access their treatment rights.
 I found some changes and strengths in the network can be brought about.
 I will involve my learning to reach out programs in every district to start women’s
Network (women’s groups) with health rights and access for health care for women
living with HIV and AIDS in my own state Manipur and within India.
Sow a seed of thought, reap a fruit of action.
Sow a seed of action, reap a fruit of habit.
Sow a seed of habit, reap a fruit of character.
Sow a seed of character; reap a fruit of good fortune.
-Sri Sathya Sai Baba says
My outward understanding when I stared working with the women’s group infected with
HIV and AIDS in different community of hill districts I found in different cluster of
community people speaks with different tribal languages and their own traditional dress.

I understood what the problems are namely non availability of health services, social
determinant of health related to environment. Peoples from each district shared their
problems differently.

In my understanding of health, I should look at women health issues rather than women
living with HIV/AIDS. I should meet, stay and speak and find out their problems and
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addressed the gap then only I can solve the problems of women health issues along with
them and learn from them.

14. Looking Ahead

Looking Ahead: Where do I go from here?
 I am more concerned with women’s health at Positive Women Network in Manipur
State.
 I should strengthen district level Network so that we can find out the gaps and
problems of the women living with HIV and AIDS.
 I should start lobby with the government to access care and treatment from
grassroots’ to policy level and approach the government and Manipur state AIDS
Control Society for this.
 Start the women Drop In Center very soon, working along with the other women’s
organization for networking and referral services.
 Linkages with women commission so that we can address the women rights.
 Finally reaching out on women health issues and identifying the problem and gaps
for women’s health in Manipur.
 Networking with various women’s organization to address the issues and problem
of the state to strengthen Manipur women organization while supporting with other
women organization.
 In point of my interest I am trying to start writing women health movement of
Manipur.

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15. Feedback

My understanding and Feedback
 CHLP programme was arranged very well and there was a good atmosphere for
discussions and learning.
 The structure of the programme was very appropriate for exploring new learning.
 All the CHC staff was very much friendly to all of us interns.
 The CHC library was of great help to us reading different books related to my
learning objectives.
 Finally my mentor has helped me by sharing and providing feedback for every visits
and also supporting me and understanding all my difficultly.
 Finally my field mentor Deepa was very good and they all are strong women leader
and I was inspired.
 They really are advocates with Government to improve the women health, and
rights in the community.
 She was very interested to know about the conflict of Manipur that affected
women’s health and this inspired me.

16. Field Project Report
Title: Strengthening district level network of Manipur Positive Women Network
Background of the Project area: Thou bal district and Urkhul district Manipur Positive
women network works for the HIV positive women at Manipur, the organization has
around 5 registered districts under them and 4 districts that are collaborating with them.
Manipur women’s network have planed to conducting state level advocacy in their state
Key Activities:
•
•
•
•

Collaboration with CBO and women union leaders, other women organization
and women commission
District wise planning for future implementation
Finding out the problem and struggles for two hills district
With documenting case study of women living with HIV and AIDs for the two
district
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•
•

Meeting with district level women group and discuss about what are the
problem and struggles that had facing in their own district
Collaboration with CBO and women union leaders:

The organization has created a good network with the CBO and the state and also with the
women union leader. There is trend now in Manipur that the is a increase of women union
leaders who works for the rights and empowerment of women’s at their state .Manipur
Positive network had conducted several meetings with the CBO’s and the leaders to create
awareness about the incidence and prevalence of HIV among women .

District wise planning for future implementation: The main event by the network would
be conducting District wise planning for future implementation. The support group meeting
will be conducted by the network member’s also with the CBO and the union leaders. The
support group meeting will focus on
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Functions of the Network
Over all orientation of the network Women’s rights and Women’s health
Women empowerment
Livelihood options
Social discrimination
Social factors
Hospital discrimination
District advocacy meeting

The meeting will have more focus on the hilly areas as the women’s at the mountain areas
are not at any intervention or awareness. The women’s will be updates on all the prevention
programs, and the ways to access it. The main objective of the planning is to bring out the
issues faced by the women and children at Manipur to their government
State Level Program: Once the district level planning is completed by the network, the
organization will host an state level program including their SACS , Women &child
department, Government officials and NGO’s .This program will aim at discussing the
issues and the plans that was captured at the district level . This program will pave a way
to further improvement of the women rights and including new government schemes

Expected Outcome:
 All the district women will be reached and will be educated on the aspects of HIV
and related women’s health also about the organization.
 Women’s will come out with their issues and approach in the organization to
advocate to their government.
 Submitting the final draft which we are finding in the advocacy meeting to
Government and to the health ministry of Manipur and in the district government

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THUOBAL DISTRCT MAP

Thoubal district is synonymous with a triangular shaped valley that occupies more than
half of the eastern region of the state. The district encompasses an area of 517 sq. km and
stretches between the latitudinal parallels extending between 23° 45' North and 24°45'
North and the longitudinal meridians of 93°45' East and 94°15' east. The district is enclosed
between the districts of Imphal, Chandel, Ukhrul, Churchandpur and Bishnupur and is sited
at
an
elevated
altitude
of
790
m
above
mean
sea
level.
The topography is a wonderful medley of hills and knolls as well as undulating plains that
are laced by several rivers and dotted by sylvan lakes that gleam like a mirage of
quicksilver. The district is drained by the Imphal and Thoubal rivers while the Kharung,
Ikop, Waithou, Pumlen, Lousi and Ngangou Lakes shimmer prettily and adorn the
landscape like a jewel in a brass setting.
•
•
•
•
•

Shikhong Sekmai
Yairipok
Kakching Khunou
Sugnu
Thoubal
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•
•
•
•

Lilong
Wangjing
Kakching
Heirok

Samurou is another eminent town that is shared between Thoubal and Imphal, the district
that is famed for housing the state's capital city. According to the 2001 census report,
Thoubal district records a population of 41, 1149. The economy is predominantly
agrarian and is supplemented by the tribal people who also practice animal husbandry,
fishing and also other allied industries.
Report of Thoubal district focus group meeting on 19 December 2009
Focus group meeting was held on 19 December 2009 with five Thoubal Positive Women
Network meeting was begins sharing with all of the five members of Thoubal Positive
Women Network how that facing such stigma and discrimination with the health sector
like sub center,PHC,CHC,and in district hospital. Non availability of services in health care
center especially for women living with HIV and AIDS and also they facing stigma and
discrimination with doctors and nurses. They were the some of the challenges women
living with HIV and AIDS.
Key Problems finding of Thoubal District Positive women Network
1. Highly stigma and discrimination in the health care.
2. Not accessting HIV testing center (VCCTC center in the PHC and
CHC )
3. Not accessting testing investigation related health problem of HIV
and AIDS in the districts hospital.
4. Insufficient medicine of Opportunistic Infection.
Ukhrul
Ukhrul is an important district in the northern eastern state of Manipur. Bordered by
Chandel district, Imphal, Senapati district, Nagaland and Myanmar, Ukhrul is located at a
distance of 84 kilometers from the capital of the state - Imphal. A journey of three hours
will take you to Ukhrul District.
Situated at a varying altitude of 913 meters to 1763 meters, Ukhrul enjoys a pleasurable
climate. However the winters are chilly with temperature coming down to 3 to 4º
Centigrade. The district lies within the geographical location of North Latitude 24º to
25.41º
and
East
Longitude
94º
to
94.47º.
The economy of Ukhrul is mainly agricultural based with industries, animal husbandry,
forest wealth, riverine wealth contributing to the revenue of the district. The Tangkhul
Naga community comprises the majority of the population. Nepalese, Kukis and non tribals
constitute the rest of the population. According to the 1991 census, the total population of
the district Of Ukhrul is 1, 09,275. Nestled amidst paradisiacal landscapes, the Ukhrul
district
boasts
of
some
exciting
places
to
visit.

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Some of them are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Shirui Kashung
Khankhui Cave
Hundung Mangva Cave
Chingjui Matza
Phangrei Picnic Spot
Nillai Tea Estate
MATA Industrial Complex at Lungpha
Dilily Water Fall near Khayang Phungtha
Azoa Jenephiu Magi Lake
Cold Water Fishery Project
Saline Springs
Luireishimphung
Longpi Pottery at Longpi
Khayang Peak
Many of these places are not only rich with natural beauty but hold immense
environmental importance. The district witnesses some vibrant and colorful
festivals like Chumpa, Darreo, Mangkhap, Yarra and Luira.

Ukhrul District Map

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REPORT OF URHKUL DISTRICT FOCUS GROUP MEETING
Focus group meeting was conducted on 17 January 2010
That was challenging for women living with HIV and AIDS finding and discussing about
the issue and problem they are facing in the government health care center like sub center,
PHC CHC and district hospital. There is no access for treatment care and support, also
facing stigma and discrimination with the Doctors and Nurses and there community these
was shared by five member of Urkhul Positive Women Network on that focus group
meeting.
Key problem finding of Urkhal Positive Women Network
1. Social stigma and discrimination major concerned.
2. Not accessting Government schemes. Like widow pension old ages
pension act.
3. Not accessting HIV testing center (VCCTC center in the PHC and CHC)
4. Insufficient medicine of Opportunistic Infection
5. Not accessting testing investigation related health problem of HIV and
AIDS in the districts hospital.
6. Some women are not accessting BPL and AAY card.
These two key problem finding will be submitting to the Manipur State
AIDS Control Society to accessting better health care and treatment services
for women living with HIV and AIDS also to strengthen Manipur Positive
Women Network as to understanding the women health issues has need a
immediate concerned.

17. Books Read
1. Talking about Infertility
2. Unveiled Realities
3. Beyond Numbers two – child norm
4. Advancing Right to Health (The India Context)
5. HIV and AIDS India Through a Gender and Right Lens
6. HIV and AIDS looking behind and beyond number
7. Women’s Health Charter
8. Health for All Now
9. Women’s Health in India ( Edited by Monica Das Gupta, Lincoln C. Chen,
T.N. Krishnan)
10. Making Mothers

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