From Period to Abortion, Women Should Take Control of Their Health

A women’s health festival, FemmeCon, sought to have this conversation on women’s health that others avoid.

(Photo Courtesy: FemmeCon)

For far too long, women have been made to feel their health isn’t important and their issues not real enough. Women's health has seldom been taken seriously – be it by the law, the society, or the so-called traditions.

Leave alone letting women have control over their own bodies, most shy away from even talking about women’s health. From menstruation to abortion, reproductive health to sexual health, it’s all a taboo.

A women’s health festival, FemmeCon, organised by TheaCare, sought to have this conversation that others avoid. The event held in Delhi on Sunday aimed to dismantle the culture of silence around women’s health and bodies by creating awareness, and fostering healthy conversations and action.

A panel discussion at the event.

The event had a variety of activities like workshops, expert talks, poetry and art presentations, and doctor consultations and even legal consultations. All looking at improving the picture of women’s health in India.

At a panel discussion, Vikas Bagaria, Founder of PeeSafe, said:

Out of the 3 percent of health budget of the GDP, only 20 percent is spent on women’s health. The discussion shouldn’t begin and end with women; men need to step up too. It’s time we talk about daily hygiene of women, and health on daily basis. 

Artists’ work on women’s health displayed at the event.

The visitors ranged from college students to 40-year-old professionals. While a Delhi University student came there to clear her doubts about the what kind of menstrual products would be best for her irregular periods, a 42-year-old architect wanted to understand how to better her premenopausal health.

A session by Dr Anjila Aneja, a leading gynaecologist, focused on chronic women’s diseases like PCOD and endometriosis, their symptoms, causes and treatments. Talking about how lifestyle choices influence these diseases, she gave advice on how to prevent them through easy changes in our routine.

Understanding what affects our bodies, what we can do about it and empower ourselves to stand up for our rights will enable women to take better care of their health.