As Pramila approached the birth of her first child, she found herself caught in a dilemma—whether to opt for an institutional delivery or give birth at home. Tamia’s (Madhya Pradesh) steep, nearly impassable mountains, the relentless summer heat, and the deeply ingrained conservatism of her in-laws all pointed toward the seemingly inevitable choice of home delivery – exposing herself to the risk of fatal complications. Fortunately, she was not alone in her plight.
Sarita, her ASHA worker, had been tracking her pregnancy for months, building trust with her family. Near her due date, Sarita talked to the in-laws, explained the benefits of the clinic births, arranged transportation, and supported Pramila throughout her day of delivery. Today the baby is healthy, owing to Sarita’s consistent and reliable support. The strength of women supporting women brings about lasting change.
The Quiet Revolutionaries
Sarita’s story isn’t unique. Across rural India, countless women are stepping up, going beyond their roles in solidarity with other women struggling with access to life-saving maternal care. They understand the challenges, the cultural context, and the health needs of their women in communities, ensuring care reaches those who need it most.
On Women’s Day 2025, we celebrate these unsung heroes who are driving health equity and the quiet revolution in rural India. We honor their work by recounting the heroic stories of the three key frontline health workers: ASHA, Anganwadi, and Auxiliary Nurse Midwife.
i) Defying Distance: Voralya’s Swim of Solidarity: The monsoon raged, cutting off the village of Voralya Bai, an ASHA worker with eleven years of service in Barwani. A pregnant, at-risk woman across the swollen river needed vital emergency medication. Voralya was unable to reach her for four days due to the floods. On the fifth day, she decided not to rely on the halted boat service. She chose to swim across the river, not just to deliver medicine, but to demonstrate that no flood, no isolation, could break the bond and trust shared between women in providing life-saving care, even when it was difficult.
ii) Navigating Isolation: Meera’s Footsteps of Empathy: Meera Nageshwar, an Anganwadi worker from Seoni, served scattered villages, only reachable on foot. Despite her own walking difficulties, she persisted on continuing to visit remote families across her block. She sat with mothers, listened to their worries, shared their burdens, making women feel seen and heard in their difficulties in managing their health. Her walks were a tangible expression of empathy, ensuring no one was left behind due to their location or lack of information.
iii) Bridging Cultures: Malati’s Language of the Heart: Malati, an ANM, recognized that healthcare was about trust, not just clinical knowledge. Hindi was a barrier. As an “outsider,” she saw hesitation in the women’s eyes while discussing their health. So, she learned their languages, including Gondi, Barela, Nimadi, and Marathi, to build trust through shared language and understanding, forging a bond where women felt truly seen and understood, enabling them to share and learn about their health needs.
These stories highlight the essence of NariSeNariTak. Saritra, Voralya, Meera, and Malati are more than healthcare workers; they embody solidarity, driving change in rural India. Their actions underscore that true health equity is built on shared understanding and unwavering support. We must acknowledge their contributions and address the systemic barriers women like Pramila face, ensuring every woman has the opportunity to thrive. The strength of our communities lies in the health of our women, and they are strengthened by the bonds they share.