Traditional Health Practices Of Kumaoni Women: Continuity And Change

The medicalization of life in the contemporary world has dominated the health scenario, an approach that has ignored the holistic knowledge of traditional societies. This book examines the traditional health practices of women in the kumaon hills (uttaranchal) with special focus on reproductive and child health. Rituals and practices related to menstruation, delivery post delivery, antenatal care and child health have been understood by listening to women who are the holders and practitioners of this traditional wisdom. The theoretical conceptual framework reiterates the interconnectedness of culture, health and development.

The major health concerns of women, Their access too healthcare, The role of NGOs and the government infrastructure in providing health facilities and building the capacities of women in the community have been examines in detail. Based on the insinghts of the first phase of the research, the second part of the book foucuses on addressing the health needs of adolescent girls in uttaranchal. A module on reproductive and child health has been developed keeping culture specifics of this regions in mind and building on the traditional knowledge and wisdom of women.