Have you ever wondered why women’s health remains under-prioritised despite its profound impact on families, communities, and economies? Why do critical gaps persist in addressing health concerns unique to women, even in an era of medical advancements? Understanding and improving women’s health practices isn’t just a matter of better care—it’s about empowering half of the world’s population to lead healthier, more fulfilled lives.
Women’s health encompasses a spectrum of physical, mental, and social factors, requiring an integrative approach to address challenges like limited access to care, cultural barriers, and health literacy gaps.
Let’s explore the nuances of women’s health practices and innovative ways to improve them, underscoring how education and initiatives can play transformative roles.
Why is understanding women’s health practices crucial?
The well-being of women is a cornerstone of thriving societies, yet they often bear an invisible burden. Women’s health challenges are frequently overlooked or misunderstood, creating a dire need for systemic improvement.
Here’s why understanding women’s health practices is imperative:
- Postpartum depression and mental health stigma
Mental health issues like postpartum depression are often dismissed or shamed, preventing women from seeking help. Many struggle silently, facing both their condition and societal judgement, highlighting the urgent need to normalise conversations around mental health and provide accessible care. - The ‘superhuman’ expectation
Society often expects women to excel in multiple roles—earning an income, raising children, managing households, and maintaining an ideal appearance—all while being emotionally available for everyone. This pressure results in chronic stress and burnout, underscoring the need for holistic approaches to women’s health. - Inadequate reproductive health awareness
Issues such as menstrual health, fertility, and menopause are surrounded by misinformation, leaving many women without the knowledge or resources to manage their reproductive health effectively. Comprehensive education and better access to healthcare are vital to addressing these gaps. - Lack of preventive healthcare
Routine check-ups, early diagnosis, and preventive screenings are often ignored due to cultural barriers or financial constraints. Women’s health practices must prioritise prevention to reduce the long-term impact of undiagnosed conditions.
Innovative approaches to improve women’s health practices
Improving women’s health practices demands more than traditional methods—it calls for innovative, inclusive, and forward-thinking solutions. With advancements in technology, education, and policy-making, new avenues are emerging to address long-standing challenges. From empowering women in remote areas with digital tools to implementing impactful community-driven initiatives, these approaches enhance access to healthcare while fostering awareness, prevention, and inclusivity.
Here are some transformative strategies improving health outcomes for women:
- Digital healthcare platforms
Telemedicine and mobile health apps, such as Practo and mHealth, are transforming healthcare access, especially in rural areas. They provide consultations, menstrual tracking, and mental health resources, bridging accessibility gaps. - Grassroots education campaigns
Localised initiatives aimed at educating women on nutrition, hygiene, and reproductive health have shown significant impact. For example, menstrual hygiene workshops improve health outcomes while breaking taboos and fostering open community conversations. - Affordable diagnostic innovations
Portable diagnostic tools, such as low-cost HPV testing kits and anaemia screening devices, enable early disease detection, ensuring timely intervention in areas with limited healthcare facilities. - Workplace wellness programmes
Business schools are introducing wellness programmes tailored to women’s needs, such as maternity support, mental health counselling, and fitness initiatives, contributing to a healthier work-life balance. - Policy-driven maternal healthcare
Government-backed schemes like Janani Suraksha Yojana have significantly reduced maternal mortality rates in India by incentivising institutional deliveries. Expanding these policies to include mental health support and postpartum care would further enhance maternal well-being.
Transforming menstrual hygiene in India
Source: INSIGHTSIAS
India’s Menstrual Hygiene Scheme, initiated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has made affordable sanitary products accessible to millions of adolescent girls in rural areas. The scheme has improved hygiene practices, reduced dropout rates among school girls, and broken long-standing taboos around menstruation. It is a testament to how targeted government policies can drive meaningful change in women’s health.
The role of development management programmes in improving women’s health practices
Top-tier B-schools offering development management programmes such as the Post Graduate Programme in Development Management (PGPDM), are uniquely positioned to prepare future leaders to address challenges in women’s health.
Here’s how these programmes contribute:
- Cross-sector collaboration
By integrating government agencies, NGOs, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, these programmes equip students to lead multi-stakeholder initiatives that combine resources and expertise to deliver impactful health interventions. - Addressing socio-cultural barriers
prepare students to design campaigns that challenge stigma and taboos around women’s health.
Project Title: To understand diet, outdated practices, menstruation, anemia, and issues affecting women’s health and intervene to improve girls and women’s health.
Participant: Sapana Bawner, Batch 22
Organisation: Sahjivan Foundation for sustainable Development
Area of impact: Women’s Health and Well-being
Alignment with SDGs
2
Zero hunger (No hunger)
3
Good health and well-being
4
Quality education
This study provides an in-depth analysis of the demographic characteristics and community health indicators of Moha village, with a particular focus on the obstacles faced by Adivasi women. The findings underscore the importance of tailored health initiatives that account for socio-economic and cultural factors to address key concerns, including low haemoglobin levels, varying levels of educational attainment, and issues surrounding menstrual hygiene management.
- Capacity building for healthcare providers
Leadership training enables graduates to train healthcare workers with gender-sensitive care skills, ensuring they without bias or stigma. - Innovating financial models for accessible healthcare
Development management programmes explore solutions such as microfinance for health or public-private partnerships to reduce financial barriers and expand healthcare access. - Driving entrepreneurial solutions for women’s health
Many students launch social enterprises focused on women’s health issues, such as affordable sanitary product manufacturing, telemedicine platforms, or mental health counselling services. - Evaluating and scaling health initiatives
Graduates are trained in impact assessment tools, ensuring that successful interventions can be replicated and scaled for greater outreach. For example, a small-scale initiative providing mental health support in urban slums can be scaled to address similar challenges in other regions. - Interactive pedagogy: Bridging theory with real-world impact
With a strong emphasis on interactive pedagogy, problem-solving and case studies, these programmes equip participants with the tools to tackle pressing societal challenges effectively.
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Conclusion
Improving women’s health practices is a multidimensional challenge requiring commitment, innovation, and collaboration. By addressing cultural, systemic, and technological barriers, we can create a world where every woman has access to quality care and the opportunity to thrive. Development management programmes by leading B-schools play a vital role in shaping leaders capable of turning this vision into reality. Let’s take collective steps toward empowering women and building healthier communities.
