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Lessons Learned From A Community-Based Distribution Programme In Rural Bihar, S. Parveen, M.E. Khan, John Townsend, Bella C. Patel

Reproductive Health

The state of Bihar in North India ranks near the bottom of the Indian states in terms of its demographic situation. The infant mortality rate as of 1991 was 69 per 1,000, and the contraceptive prevalence rate as of 1990 was 26 percent. Bihar ranks near the bottom among other states of India in almost all indicators of social and economic development. One reason for its low performance is weak management. Besides poverty, a poor communications network and lack of proper infrastructure further make the implementation of programs difficult. Workers have misconceptions about FP methods, and educational activities are poorly …

A Study Of User Perspectives On The Diaphragm In An Urban Indian Setting, T.K. Sundari Ravindran

Reproductive Health

This study attempted to examine user perspectives regarding the desirability of the diaphragm as a contraceptive method when included among other methods distributed freely through a family planning (FP) clinic. It sought to introduce on an experimental basis, the diaphragm into an ongoing and well-established FP clinic to increase contraceptive choice. This was primarily a qualitative study aimed at understanding women's perceptions about the risks and benefits, the reasons for use of the diaphragm, and the practical difficulties of using it effectively. It also studied the influence of service delivery factors in acceptance of this method. The study was part …

District Level Baseline Survey Of Family Planning Program In Uttar Pradesh: Rampur, S.K.G. Dastidar, Tausif Alam Khan, B.P. Thiagrajan, R.B. Gupta, Bella C. Patel, M.E. Khan, John Townsend

Reproductive Health

The Government of India and the United States Agency for International Development began the Innovations in Family Planning Services Project (IFPS) in Uttar Pradesh under the management of the State Innovations in Family Planning Services Agency (SIFPSA). The goal was to reduce the fertility rate in Uttar Pradesh by accelerating family planning (FP) services at the district level through innovative approaches. IFPS’s main objectives were to increase access to FP services, improve the quality of FP services, and promote contraceptive use. Initially 15 districts were selected for the Baseline Survey in Uttar Pradesh (BSUP). The baseline information collected will be …

Wasteland Development And The Empowerment Of Women: The Sarthi Experience, Madhu Sarin

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This issue of SEEDS describes an innovative approach to rehabilitation of wastelands developed by Social Action for Rural and Tribal Inhabitants of India (SARTHI), a nongovernmental organization based in the Panchmahals District of Gujarat State in Western India. By assisting rural women to organize themselves around the rehabilitation of patches of degraded common land, SARTHI has been able to help them not only meet their needs for biomass in a more efficient and ecologically sound manner, but also to empower them to start asserting themselves in dealing with a broader range of problems. As primary gatherers and users of biomass, …

Aménagement Des Terres Incultes Et Émancipation Des Femmes L'Expérience De Sarthi, Madhu Sarin

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Ce numéro de SEEDS est consacré a une approche innovative ayant pour but d’aménager des terres incultes, développée par Action Sociale en faveur des population rurales et autochtones d’lnde (SARTHI), une organisation non gouvernementale basée dans le district de Panchmahals dans l’État de Gujarat en Inde occidentale. En aidant les femmes rurales à s’organiser pour mettre en valeur des lopins de terres communaux, SARTHI a permis à ces femmes de satisfaire leurs besoins en biomasse de façon plus efficace et saine d’'un point de vue écologique et d’améliorer d’autres aspects de leur vie. Étant donné que ce sont essentiellement les …

The Working Women's Forum: Organizing For Credit And Change, Marty Chen

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This issue of SEEDs tells the story of how the Working Women's Forum came into being in Madras, India and how it has brought together more than 13,000 poor, urban women around the issue of credit. It also describes how the Forum has not only provided its members with access to funds, but has expanded to include support services such as child care, education, health, and family planning and how the sense of strength and purpose that has grown up among the members is helping them to tackle the political and social problems that affect their lives.

Le Forum Pour Les Femmes Actives: Lutte Pour Le Crédit Et Le Changement, Marty Chen

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Ce numéro de SEEDS retrace les différentes étapes qui ont mené à la création du Forum pour les Femmes à Madras, Inde et comment plus de 13,000 femmes pauvres ont pu, grâce à cette organisation, avoir accès au crédit. II décrit également comment le Forum a diversifié ses activités pour fournir à ses membres d'autres services, notamment dans le domaine de l'éducation, la santé, et la planification familiale et montre comment le fait de se sentir solidaires et reconnues permet à ses membres de mieux faire face aux problèmes politiques et sociaux qui affectent leur vie.

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This issue of …