Empowering women to enhance public health

On the occasion of Women’s Day, a special address was delivered by Brig Smita Devrani, Principal, Matron Command Hospital, Pune who took the stage to speak on the importance of empowering women to enhance public healthcare. She started by elaborating what empowering women entails and says, “Women empowerment refers to strengthening of the social, economic and educational powers of a women; it refers to an environment where there is no gender bias and have equal rights in community, society and workplace.”

She highlighted that even though there seems to be acute shortage of women in public health, there are many pioneers in the nation whose work goes unnoticed. She cited example of Janaki Amaal who pursued scientific research and was awarded Padma Shri in 1957 for her contribution to public health, among other examples, to emphasise the relation between women and public health.

She highlighted that gender bias and under-representation of women in public health is detrimental to its progress. Adding to the hurdles, she pointed out a few other challenges such as humongous population, poor infrastructure make the public health scenario even more grave. As a result, she suggested, “There should be a platform for healthcare domain experts, stakeholders, key participants to come together, as no single entity can work in isolation. Grass root workers, ASHA workers, family health welfare and anganwadi workers are all empowered women who can act like potential catalysts. There should be an increase in workforce to bridge the gap and providing incentives would promote encouragement. Training women for newer technologies and giving autonomy to the health workers will also promote better healthcare delivery.”

She also elaborated on her organisation’s role in improving public healthcare in the country and their myriad initiatives in this direction. A few of the initiatives she mentioned were Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), Station Health Organisation owned by the Department of Preventive and Social medicines, College of Nursing and Millitary Nursing Services which promote public healthcare.

Concluding her presentation, she urged that women empowerment is vital in sustainable development of a nation. Creating awareness and keeping the women in public health motivated will help achieve the goal.