Exploring Tribal and Low-Caste Women’s Reproductive Health Priorities in Kherwara, India
Reproductive health is a crucial aspect of global health, yet marginalized communities often face limited access to care. Scholars suggest that improving maternal health for marginalized groups requires decentralized, community-based solutions that actively involve women in the development of programs and policies.
Drs. Cecilia Benoit, Andrea Mellor, and Ms. Patricha Ottsen have been invited by a local Indian NGO Manav Aashritha Sansthan (MAS) to partner on a study that takes up this challenge. Together, we are exploring the health needs of rural, low-caste, and tribal women in Kherwara, Rajasthan, India. Using a strength-based approach and community-based research methodologies, this project aims to explore the perspectives of tribal and low-caste women on achieving positive health outcomes across the reproductive period. The outcomes will include a series of recommendations for MAS to implement in their efforts to improve reproductive health services that are meaningful and relevant for lower caste and tribal women in Kherwara.
This research will support Ms. Ottsen in fulfilling the requirements for her Masters of Arts in the Social Dimensions of Health program at the University of Victoria.
Community Consultation
In the spring of 2025, Ms. Ottsen conducted a community consultation in cooperation with MAS, visiting local maternal and child health centres (locally known as Anganwadi Centres), birthing clinics, and conducting home visits with post-partum mothers. The goal was to explore low-caste and tribal women’s experiences of maternal health care and how the women's experiences overall could be improved.
Based on the information gathered from the community in Kherwara, Ms. Ottsen is leading a literature review on the scope and meaning of maternal health to tribal and low-caste women in India.
In December, Dr. Mellor and Ms. Ottsen will return to Kherwara to share preliminary results and engage in dialogue with women, health care professionals, and MAS staff to ensure the framework aligns with community priorities.
A local maternal and child health centre in Kherwara. Health care staff can be seen in the front, wearing scrubs.
Partners and Funders
