As the world comes together to celebrate International Women’s Day, the spotlight extends beyond achievements to address a critical aspect of women’s well-being, focusing on working women whose hectic lifestyle often leaves little time for self-care. While it is a time to honour and celebrate the accomplishments of women globally, it is equally crucial to take stock of how women’s rights, particularly the right to health, are fulfilled worldwide.
The bustling lives of working women, who balance professional commitments, family responsibilities, and societal expectations, often result in the neglect of their own health. International Women’s Day serves as a poignant reminder to assess the challenges faced by women, particularly those striving to juggle multiple roles while prioritising their health.
Why is healthcare difficult for most Indian Women ?
In a nation as diverse and dynamic as India, the quest for comprehensive healthcare continues to be a complex challenge, particularly for its female population. From socioeconomic constraints to entrenched cultural norms, geographic disparities to discriminatory practices, women across the country grapple with a myriad of obstacles, contributing to poor health outcomes and highlighting the urgent need for systemic change.
India, with its vast demographic and geographic variations, witnesses a multifaceted array of healthcare challenges for its women. Socioeconomic limitations stand as a prominent barrier, with a significant portion of the female population facing financial constraints that hinder their access to quality healthcare. The interplay of poverty and limited resources often results in delayed or inadequate medical attention, impacting women’s health outcomes.
Key points to be kept in mind for a healthy lifestyle
I advise women of all age groups to keep in mind certain key points for having good mental, physical, and social health. Measure and watch your weight on a regular basis. Limit unhealthy foods and eat healthy meals as much as you can. Take multivitamin and calcium supplements, especially for women of reproductive and childbearing age groups. Drink water, stay hydrated, and limit sugared beverages. Exercise regularly and be physically active. Reduce sitting and screen time. Get enough time to sleep. Go easy on alcohol and stay sober. Find ways to manage your emotions, indulge yourself more in yoga, meditation, and social activities.
Major issues regarding women’s health that we all need to prioritise
Cancer: Two of the most common cancers affecting women are breast and cervical cancer. The need of the hour is vaccination for cervical cancer and the early detection of breast cancer through routine mammography.
Maternal health: Many women are now benefiting from significant improvements in prenatal and childbirth care introduced in the last century. Key focuses, especially for working women during pregnancy and the postpartum period, include good support, a proper diet, and nutrition.
Mental health: Evidence suggests that women are more likely than men to experience anxiety, depression, and somatic complaints—physical symptoms that cannot be explained medically. Helping sensitise women to mental health issues and giving them the confidence to seek assistance is vital.
Reproductive health : Sexual and reproductive health problems are responsible for one-third of health issues for women between the age of 15 and 44. This is why it is so important to get the services to more than 200 million women who aren’t getting the contraception services they need. Educating them about the need for contraception, using the correct method, and raising their voices against wrongly practiced methods is the need of the hour.
Violence against women: Women can be subjected to various forms of violence, but physical and sexual violence, whether by a partner or another individual, is particularly insidious. It is crucial for women to be aware of their basic rights and to intervene to stop any form of violence against themselves or other women in society.
Non-communicable diseases
In 2020, approximately 5.5 million women died from non-communicable diseases before reaching the age of 70. In this category, more than 40 percent of women are obese. Helping girls and women adopt healthy lifestyles early on is key to ensuring a long and healthy life.
Challenges Faced by Adolescent Women: Adolescent girls encounter numerous sexual and reproductive health challenges, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, and pregnancy. Approximately 13 million adolescent girls under the age of 20 give birth each year. Complications arising from these pregnancies and childbirth are a leading cause of death for these young mothers. Additionally, many suffer the consequences of unsafe abortions.
Need of the hour
The concern for women’s health has increased manifold in recent times. There has been a rise in diseases attributed to the lifestyle changes of today’s women. The need of the hour is to adopt the simplest prevention strategies, including early diagnosis and timely, effective treatment. Educating women about their right to health, various vaccination programmes across the country, and providing them with thorough knowledge about a good diet, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle. Together, these measures will undoubtedly bring about a positive change in women’s healthcare in the country.
