Participatory Action Research (PAR) in Women's Health: SARTHI, India
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Abstract
This article reflects on the experiences of the author as an activist and practitioner working on women's issues in rural India, particularly through the lens of Participatory Action Research (PAR). Focusing on the Social Action for Rural and Tribal Inhabitants of India (SARTHI), the paper discusses the organization's efforts in empowering women in Panchmahals District, Gujarat, by introducing a women’s health program. The research explores the challenges faced by women in the region, such as heavy workloads, poor health, and low literacy rates, and how SARTHI’s initiatives aimed to improve their health and wellbeing through participatory processes. The paper highlights the transformative potential of PAR in addressing gender disparities and promoting social change.
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The paper outlines the evolution of SARTHI’s women’s health program, which was established as a response to the pressing health and social issues faced by women in Panchmahals, a drought-prone and resource-poor area. It explores the shift from conventional development approaches to a more inclusive, participatory model that empowers women to take control of their health and contribute to community well-being. The paper also discusses the development of self-help groups and community-based health workers, such as the arogya sakhis, and their role in treating common health problems and mobilizing collective action on health issues.
Keywords
Participatory Action Research (PAR), Health, Women's Empowerment, SARTHI, Rural Development, India
Citation
Khanna, R. Participatory Action Research (PAR) in Women's Health: SARTHI, India.