ASHA Veena Devi provides family planning counseling in Kankani.
In a community where conversations about family planning are often taboo, Veena Devi, an Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) in Kankani, Dhanbad, is breaking the silence and empowering women through the Mahila Arogya Samiti (MAS).
Her journey began after participating in a government-organized three-day intensive training on family planning. Witnessing the lack of awareness and access to quality healthcare in her community, Veena knew change had to start with open dialogue and decided that her first step should be to establish a platform where women could openly discuss their health concerns. She mobilized local MAS members and created a safe, supportive space where women could regularly meet to discuss health issues, including family planning.
Convincing couples to adopt modern contraceptive methods was not easy. Many held on to traditional practices or harbored misconceptions about modern options. To address this, Veena conducted regular MAS meetings and house visits, where she shared accurate information, debunked myths, and invited healthcare providers from urban primary health centers (UPHCs) to educate women and families about available methods. Despite initial skepticism, her persistence began to shift community attitudes, and she soon won people over.
The MAS group soon became a trusted space where women could freely share their concerns related to their family’s health. One member, a mother of three young children in five years, was struggling to provide for her growing family. After attending MAS sessions, she and her husband decided to adopt a suitable family planning method that met their needs. It marked a turning point in their lives.
Veena’s tireless efforts transformed her village into a model for others. The impact went beyond family planning. It fostered a more informed and empowered community where women actively participated in household decisions. TCI supports the health system in strengthening MAS as a proven high-impact approach for advancing family planning and building healthier communities.
