“We live in a community where traditional values are strictly followed by all families.
Women are not allowed to go out alone and therefore all matters outside the home are dealt by the male members of our family,” says Kalsoom (24), the community resource person working in the district of Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“I was completely unaware of the antenatal checkups and their importance during pregnancy, until I nearly lost my life and my baby due to eclampsia, and blood loss during childbirth.
To ensure that no other woman should suffer, I convinced my husband and received training for becoming a community resource person. I learnt important messages on mother and child health. I visit households now and ensure that all women and girls are aware of their health rights and importance of skilled health care. I do not want any other woman to go through what I had to endure”
WWW Ask: There should be a mechanism in place to ensure that all women and girls are aware of their rights and know where to seek health care services from.
- Story ByFatima Shahryar
