‘Putting Women First:
Women and Health in a Rural
Community’
Review by Heather A. Gardner
“What we see in
the clinic is a mirror of our society.”
-
Dr. Rani Bang
In this book review, I intend to share some lessons I
have learned from ‘Putting Women First,’ including quotes from the text. Additionally,
I share my interpretation of these lessons in an attempt to integrate them into
my own public health practice. Whether
you are a clinician or not, I believe the teachings in this book provide
critical insights into people, policies and systems and are applicable to
women’s health as well as other disciplines.
However before I share my lessons learned, a note about the book’s
contributors.
Like most major projects, collaboration is essential and
‘Putting Women First’ was no exception.
Rupa Chinai, a co-author, documented the cases presented throughout the
book and is also an accomplished journalist who has written and commented
extensively and authoritatively on health issues in India. Sunanda Khorgade’s contribution was similarly
invaluable. At the time of publication,
she stewarded the women’s health programme at SEARCH. As stated in the book’s Foreword, “her
ability to look beyond what is evident and identify social, economic and
community reasons at the root of many of the complaints registered by Dr.
Bang’s clinic have impacted the understanding of social medicine in Gadchiroli,
and by extension, rural India” (pg. xiv).
Lesson
1: “. . . health is not merely about medicine
and healing; but also about being sensitive to one’s patients. A doctor’s understanding must encompass
anthropology, sociology and economic factors that shape people’s lives.” (pg.
2)
Personal
interpretation: Our profession is not purely about the field we have studied
but it is inherently interdisciplinary.
For example, an architect’s new building project will likely involve
various aspects of art, ecology/geology, politics, city planning, finances and
community coordination. Instead of
approaching a project with “tunnel vision,” you can bring a holistic view to
your work. The breadth of your skills
can grow with time and direct experience as can your capacity to discern when
expertise from a particular field is truly missing or required.
Lesson
2: “Research-based interventions have
strengthened our belief that sound study and not just service, strengthens the
work of an NGO.” (pg. 257)
Personal
interpretation: It has been said, “No
data, no problem.” High quality qualitative and quantitative data along with
community participation are critical to assessing community needs, advocating
for funding and evaluating a program’s impact.
Effective community-based research can bolster the credibility of an NGO
while, most importantly, ensuring that those most in need are effectively being
served.
Lesson
3: “Medical
professionals and NGOs who maintain a strong link with grass root reality have
a duty to communicate their understanding of that reality to policy
makers. While highlighting the good work
done and achievements made, we need to develop our ability to see the wider
picture and pinpoint the linkages that make a difference.” (pg. 253)
Personal
interpretation: Grassroot realities and
policy are directly related to each other.
Similar to the opening quote of this article, grassroot realities are a
mirror of the society. Those of us
working at the grassroots level have a responsibility to share-back what we see
in that “mirror” with those that intend to shape it at a policy level. Policies are only as effective as their reflection
on the ground.
Lesson
4: “Our primary health system needs to be
equipped for dealing with the various manifestations of reproductive
health. The current vertical approach
which only concerns itself with a few isolated programmes is woefully inadequate
to deal with the range of problems and circumstances. The country’s programme of reproductive
health must encompass adolescent sexual education, access to safe abortion,
provision of appropriate conception, treatment of reproductive tract infections
and mental health counseling.” (pg. 259)
Personal
interpretation: Lesson 4 is an example
of Lesson 3. Be aware of policies and
schemes yet do let them limit your understanding. Think for yourself and make your own
observations. Your direct experience
becomes your teacher – pay close attention to it. To what extent do your observations align
with the priorities reflected in established policies & schemes? What gaps exist and are you willing to
address some of them? Which gaps do you
choose to address and how?
Lesson
5: “. . . the case studies in this book are
included as reflections of universal human experience. The purpose of this book is not to serve as a
collection of exotic stories, but to allow the readers to draw from common
experiences, and relate these to their own lives. It is in this sharing that human beings find
inspiration for change. Through these
case studies, I could relate the life experiences of these people to mine, that
of my family, my community and realize how I could be an agent of change within
my own sphere.” (pg. 27)
Personal
interpretation: Do you view your
studies/work as something entirely separate from your own life
experiences? Alternatively, can your
life experiences support you in connecting more fully with your daily
studies/work? How do you discover the
“universal human experience” in the particulars of your studies/work? Ultimately, how do you direct your own life
experiences towards making a positive change within your community?
In conclusion, this is not
a comprehensive book review but rather my comments highlight some core themes
that stood out in my reading of the book.
Overall, the book reaffirmed the values and practices that drew me to
SEARCH in the beginning. ‘Putting Women
First’ is a testament to Dr. Bang’s dedication to direct experience and a
holistic perspective, service and research, grass root practices and policies
as well as the personal and universal.
‘Putting Women First’ is a true inspiration to exploring the path of
positive social change.
PUTTING
WOMEN FIRST: Women and Health in a Rural Community
By Rani Bang with Sunanda
Khorgade and Rupa Chinai (2010)
288 pp. STREE publishers.
Rs 700.00 Available at SEARCH
Source: Heather Gardner, hgardner16@gmail.com
(Heather Gardner has done her Masters in Public Health from Emory University, USA. She has expertise in the field of Program Evaluation. Heather was an Intern at SEARCH for 6 months)
(Heather Gardner has done her Masters in Public Health from Emory University, USA. She has expertise in the field of Program Evaluation. Heather was an Intern at SEARCH for 6 months)
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