Feature Stories

Bishnu Bhandari: Working as a Female Social Facilitator in villages of Kapilvastu
GoN/UNFPA Community Based Programme in Kapilvastu District

Kapilvastu, November 2008

Manpur was the first Village Development Committee (VDC) I visited after I had been trained as a Female Social Facilitator in the Community Based Programme implemented by the District Development Committee (DDC) with the support of UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund).

In Bishanpur village (part of Manpur VDC) the men alone came to the meeting called by us. I could talk to a woman only after having permission from a male member of the family. That time to form a women's group in the village seemed to be as difficult as climbing Mount Everest. Nevertheless, I didn't lose my hope, I strongly believed that everyone is born free and has the right to obtain all sort of information without restraint, especially if it is relevant to one's own health and life.

After several meetings with the men of the community and awareness programmes on reproductive health, one day I was allowed to talk to a woman. Her name was Bindawati. I explained her the purpose of our programme, and what does reproductive health issues mean. Assisted by her, I spoke with four women in her household. I was still uncertain whether I would be able to continue my work in this village. However Bindawati and the four women from her house started a women's group and I was present in every meeting. Gradually I got the encouragement I needed to continue my work in this community.

Eventually, together with the women of the village we were able to form a Neighborhood Health Committee. The role of this group was to obtain information and hold regular meetings to discuss between each other about, for example, where to go for delivery, for pregnancy check-ups, treatment of uterine prolapse and of other ailments of reproductive organs, where to get contraceptives and what to do about gender based violence in the village. To this day the members meet frequently and proudly admit that not only they know how to take better care of their health but they became more confident to talk about their needs and problems.

There are currently 23 Female Social Facilitators working with the GoN/UNFPA Community Based Programme in Kapilvastu district. They help the Female Community Health Volunteers to organize various community groups (eg. mothers groups, family planning users, uterine prolapse patients, etc.). Through such groups Community Based Programme ensures participation of community members in health related decisions and access to services.

By Bishnu Bhandari and Manju Shrestha-Rai
Translated by Sudarshan Neupane and Shweta Rijal

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