Participatory Action Research (PAR) in Women's Health: SARTHI, India

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.