16/02/2024
Had the opportunity to visit a lovely tribal community tucked away in Nimbavali village in Maharashtra. We were organising a women’s health awareness session for the tribal women organised through Shri Nityanand Education Trust.
It had just been a couple of minutes since I arrived there and I was already in awe of these strong and empowered Warli tribe women, who were running their household by working on skill based projects and other projects that were sourced by the wonderful board members and trustees of the Shri Nityanand Education Trust to help them become financially independent. They are enterprising and hardworking and they greeted us with such warmth.
The women’s health session, a first for them, welcomed around 50 young girls and women. They sang a beautiful welcome song for us 💕it was such a warm feeling 🤗
At first, they were shy and reluctant to answer let alone ask any questions. With a little nudging and after the talk delivered by Dr.Nilofer Poonawala, they felt comfortable to come out and seek help for the health issues they have been facing.
It was shocking to hear how some of the young girls and women were bearing pain and suffering for months on end. Recurring miscarriages, Anemia, menstrual health issues, the list continued.
So easy to ask why they did not seek help instead of enduring the discomfort and pain for so long. Heartbreaking to know that a visit to the doctor would mean taking the day off, which meant loss of their daily wage.
The village has a government clinic, but the doctor on duty is a male, which further compounds the problem as the women are too embarrassed to convey their health issues, especially those related to topics that are considered taboo.
I feel grateful that we had the opportunity to reach out to this community and create awareness about making health their priority and putting themselves first. I know that a one off session is not going to bring about monumental change, but believe that it is a start towards the journey of health and happiness.
Special thanks to SNET Board member Mugdha Sonwane for the warm welcome and for giving us the opportunity to organise this Women’s Health Awareness Session under the CSR initiative Vijayeta by The PCOS Society India
In pics: Power women of Nimbavali village along with Dr.Nilofer Poonawala
