Cloudnine Group of Hospitals spreads awareness on women’s reproductive choices celebrating International Woman’s Day

A panel discussion highlights why it is important for women to exercise reproductive rights for her own good.

One of India's most sought after chain of specialty mother and child care hospitals Cloudnine Group of Hospitals to mark the International Women's Day week celebrations in the city with an absorbing panel discussion on reproductive choices of women. The panel comprised of representatives from Cloudnine Group of Hospitals and Secretary General of Family Planning Commission of India, Ms. Kalpana Apte. With the objective of empowering and encouraging women to exercise their reproductive choice, the panelists shared valuable insights on the theme 'It's Your Choice: Take Charge of your own Reproductive Health.'

At the discussion, experts discussed the need to empower women at all life stages i.e. before marriage, post marriage, through maternity and beyond, to make their own decisions, especially when it comes to reproductive health. Experts also shared the different ways in which young adolescents can be counselled by their parents to be aware of their reproductive choices and take charge of their reproductive health.

Mr Surinder Dang, Regional Director West, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, said, 'As India's premier healthcare center dedicated to woman and child care, we understand the complexities of women's health. We care for women of all ages, addressing conditions in areas of adolescence, pre-marital counseling, early pregnancy, and other health related issues.'

The issue of reproductive choice is critical in a country like India where patriarchal mindsets are very strong and gender equity is low. Most of decision related to marriage, when and how many children to have are largely decided by the family and this needs to change. Women should be able to make the choice of when, how and how many children they want to have and what contraception they want to use. Women have the right to have children or not and they have the right to decide when they want to use assisted birthing technologies or go for adoption.

Moderating the discussion, Dr. Shantala Vadeyar, Group Medical Director, Fetal and maternal medicine, said, 'Young and growing children have poor knowledge and lack of awareness about physical and psychological changes that occurs during adolescence and the ill health affecting them. It is important that we create healthy lifestyle, restricting advertisement related to junk food products, awareness creation about reproductive and sexual health, educating parents to prevent early marriage, teenage pregnancy and to counsel their children on nutrition and reproductive health is extremely important.

Mothers should bring their adolescent daughters to gynecologists for regular checkup, counseling, and information sharing. Adolescents have a lot of questions related to the changes in their appearances, mood swings, psychological and others that we can answer.'

Speaking during the discussion, Dr. Kalpana Apte, Secretary General of Family Planning Commission of India said, 'When women do not have control over decisions related to their reproductive health, or are not well-informed, it can lead to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted or unplanned pregnancies, and deaths during pregnancy. On the other hand, when women take control of their health, make informed reproductive decisions, and adopt suitable contraceptives, it improves their health; gives them more time and energy to focus on their careers and aspirations; increases family happiness and prosperity. Healthy and empowered women result in a to healthy and a wealthy nation.'

Dr. Meghana D Sarvaiya, Consultant Gynecology and Obestrician, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Mumbai said, 'Motherhood is serious business where you can't afford to go on a sabbatical. It is a full-time venture. Mothers must play the role of a friend, counselor and guide to their growing adolescents on the topic of reproductive health and choice. Modern mothers need to acquire the skills to be able to provide the right information to their daughters with the right approach so that young adolescents can make informed choices.'

Panelists also discussed the various policies and programmes that work towards empowering women such as the National Policy for the Empowerment of Women, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006, national family planning programme and the national adolescent health programme.

Image source: Cloudnine Hospitals