Feature Stories
Community Volunteerism Saves Women's Lives in Nepal
Dang, 15 February 2008
Majority of the health problems prevailing in Nepal particularly in the rural areas are related to the health of women and children. High maternal mortality, high infant and child mortality, low coverage of maternal and child health services are some examples that indicate the poor health status of women and children. Recognising the importance of women's participation in health promotion, the Government of Nepal initiated Female Community Health Volunteer (FCHV) programme in 1988. FCHVs are local women voluntarily serving the community with provision of community-based health education and primary healthcare services.
As of August 2007, around 49,000 FCHVs nationwide have played great role in health promotion activities, including maternal child health care, family planning, immunisation, treatment of acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases and referral to health facilities in districts, serving as frontline local health resource persons and the bridge between government health programmes and the communities. Additionally, Female Health Community Volunteers have contributed significantly to establishing women's leadership and improving their empowerment at village level. As a matter of fact, several active FCH Volunteers are working as Village Development Committee members or Health Management Committee members in their communities.
UNFPA has also recognised the particular value of the FCHV programme and has been supporting it for several years, particularly to enhance the volunteers' capacity as front line health workers, to encourage communities to share responsibility for supporting and motivating female volunteers, and to ensure equal opportunities and encouragement for volunteerism for women from all castes and ethnic groups.
As Female Community Health Voluntarism coordinator in UNFPA, I have had many occasions to visit rural areas to meet the volunteers and to observe their work. Although the main objective of my visits is to 'monitor and supervise' their activities, I usually spend most of my time on listening to them talking. The recurring concern is 'the harsh circumstances they are working in' but the conclusion is always the same 'they feel proud of themselves despite all the obstacles'.
‘One day in monsoon season last year, I was called to a pregnant woman who was reported to have worrying signs. On my way I had to cross the river which that time was well over my waste line. I was so scared but I knew that I had to go and see this neighbour. Everyone in the village trusts me so much, and I can see how my work has saved many lives in the vicinity. I couldn't possibly discontinue this occupation as I'm aware that people need me', said one FCHV who I met in Mahottari.
Apparently, community's recognition of Female Community Health Volunteers' endeavours and devotion is one of the biggest incentive factors for them. However, the volunteers are longing to have more learning opportunities for their better performance and their own personal development as well.
When I visited one Dalit (the disadvantaged social group in Nepal) village in Dang, I met a woman who recently underwent uterine prolapse* operation. ‘Had it not been for our local health volunteer's help, I wouldn't have known that I could finish this misery. Since my husband has gone to India for work, I did not know how to take care of my children and my own health. Now, I can do better thanks to the volunteer's' help', she said.
As a volunteer myself, I am very proud that I have a chance to work with these courageous individuals who are not only saving so many lives but also make difference lives of women in Nepal.
*Uterine Prolapse is a debilitating condition in which the supportive pelvic structure of muscles, tissue and ligaments gives away, and the uterus drops into or even out of the vagina. This has severe consequences on a woman's health and life. (http://www.unfpa.org/mothers/morbidity.html#hidden)
Newsletter of the United Nations Volunteers in Nepal [PDF Format, Size: 1.47 MB]
By Chonghee Choi, Community Health Volunteerism Coordination Officer, UNFPA Nepal, IUNV, Republic of Korea
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