The women’s health over the backdrop of such a geographically howling, culturally diverse nation like India goes on to reflect upon some of the very important socio-economic as well as cultural features that cling onto its women population. Despite significant inroads made into the health sector, Indian women are besieged by a multiple of issues that affect their health and general well-being. This blog brings to light the historical past and current status quo and the myriad challenges facing women’s health in the country with an emphasis on the importance of confronting these problems head-on. We will take on key health indicators, socio-economic barriers, cultural norms that influence, as well as policy frameworks based on a review of its historical context and current status to provide approaches towards improving women’s health outcome in India.
Historical Context and Current Status
Evolution of Women’s Health in India
The history of women’s health in India is involved, including indigenous knowledge systems and the socio-cultural norms. The history begins with reliance upon traditional practices of maternal health to the slow phase of accessing modern healthcare facilities – it not only mirrors a nation in transition but so is it. However, the remnants of such traditional practices are full of cultural heritage and many a time conflict with modern healthcare requisites especially for country side and underprivileged communities. Further complicated by the nature of socio-cultural factors that influence this transition, women’s access and utilization of health services remain conditional within patriarchal norms; hence most women’s health needs remain unmet and marginalized.
Present-Day Statistics and Trends
Health indices in present-day India reflect a mixed picture. On another positive note, the strides towards enabling a reduction of the maternal mortality rates have been quite significant from 212 per 100,000 live births in the year 2007 to 113 in 2021. On the other hand, areas do exist where accessibility to comprehensive healthcare remains a challenge, with fertility rates and access to prenatal care varying widely across different socio-economic and geographic landscapes. For instance, the rural-urban divide is stark with the basic healthcare infrastructure mostly lacking in rural areas that directly impact on the health outcomes of women.
Segment on Key Challenges in Women’s Health in India
Socio-Economic Barriers
At the heart of the challenges to women’s health in India, the convergence of poverty, education and gender inequality is key. The economic constraints usually result in better health created at the cost of women in the household as they either receive treatment late or fail to receive any form of it. A key aspect of this situation is the level of education because higher levels of education create more awareness about health and the facilities for health that become more accessible. But to the majority of Indian women, education remains an elusive mirage especially in the rural areas. Thus, it contributes to lack of knowledge and attention to health.
Culture and Social Norms
Cultural stigmas and societal norms that surround the health of women, especially linked to reproductive and sexual health, great limit the open discussions and access to be able to gain needed healthcare services. Menstruation is a natural biological process and it’s engaged with taboo as well as myth which block them to participate effectively in daily life activities and make them completely ignorant or aware of both the menstrual cycle and products. Similarly, patriarchal norms under which women mostly have no authority to make personal health choices often drive healthcare decisions whereby mismanagement of the health issues occurs.
Infrastructure and Policy Challenges
One can easily see the difference in rural and urban healthcare infrastructure, as rural India suffers from the lack of basic healthcare facilities and health professionals. These policy-related issues accentuate this geographical inequality, where despite several initiatives of the governments regarding women’s health implementation gaps, lack of proper funding, and lack of comprehensive policies in the sense of encompassing factors relating to women across their life span prevails and undermines the effectiveness of these health programs.
Major Health Challenges for Women in India
Reproductive and Maternal Health
For many years, India has faced major health challenges associated with reproductive and maternal health. This is because the existing rate of reproductive health-related problems such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), infertility, and high maternal mortality rates in some regions despite the improvements made to date means that there exists a need for an intensive focus on reproactive health. Though various efforts to increase the institutional deliveries have been made through government schemes like the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), quality of care and postnatal services definitely leaves a lot to be desired.
Non- Communicable Diseases
Indian women are experiencing an increasing incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that include breast cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases among others. The causes for the disease include shifts in lifestyle patterns, growing urbanization, alongside genetic predispositions to the same among others. However, still early disease awareness and diagnosis is needed to address these NCDs and not just preventive healthcare for women.
Mental Health
Nowadays, women are experiencing psychological disorders like depression, anxiety, and stress to an escalating extent because of the mounting social pressures, domestic responsibilities, and professional demands having their toll on them. Among the barriers that have prevented many women from seeking help include cultural barriers and stigmatization related to mental health, thus this paper recommends the integration of mental health services within primary healthcare settings and the creation of awareness about and the destigmatization of mental health problems.
Way Forward: Recommendations to Improve Women’s Health in India
Improvement in the health of women in India entails a multi-pronged approach that should focus on the improving healthcare infrastructure, education and information for women, policy and legislative measures.
Conclusion
Health of women is an issue which should cause deep concern and contribute to increase action by all concerned. Overcoming these socio-economic, cultural and infrastructural challenges, imbibing from the tales of success could pave for women a healthier tomorrow in India. The road toward better women’s health is a long and bumpy one, but it is definitely attainable with shared effort and strong will.