Community Empowerment for the Better Health of Women and Children in Upper Egypt
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© UNICEF Egypt/2007/Noorani |
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In a UNICEF supported home based health education session on safe motherhood and maternal mortality, trained community health workers discuss issues like proper nutrition for pregnant women, danger signs and breastfeeding in village in Assuit district. |
By Serene Assir
Sohag, EGYPT – Addressing a group of about 50 women, Warda Kamel explains various simple methods to overcome breastfeeding complications.
“Should you feel pain from wounds or cracks in your skin, do not use cream, as that is harmful both for you and the baby. A few drops of the milk itself, which is packed with healing properties, spread over the breast will do the trick much, much better,” Warda tells a maternal health awareness session in her home village of Nagea Hamed. “Do not give up on breastfeeding – it is by far the healthiest and best option, for you and for your baby.”
Women have been attending the UNICEF-supported sessions in Upper Egypt since March 2006. Aside from learning the numerous benefits of breastfeeding, sessions also touch upon proper practices during pregnancy, the dangers of female genital mutilation/cutting, nutrition, avian influenza and the risks of early marriage.
In Nagea Hamed, the maternal health sessions are held regularly in the living room of Hanan Kamal, who is a mother of four. “I have seen how the lives of many women – and consequently their families – have been transformed by these sessions,” Hanan said. “It is for this reason that I voluntarily host these sessions in my home.”
Also taking a lead role in the sessions is another resident, Warda, who plays the role of a model mother. “You wouldn’t believe how different our perception of motherhood has become,” she said. “We used to believe it was best to give birth in dirty clothes and on old mattresses, so as to keep our new ones clean.”
Some mothers said that before the sessions, awareness was low and that breast milk would sometimes be replaced with glucose.
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© UNICEF Egypt/2007/Noorani |
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Using a salt test kit, Nagaa Hamed, a community mobilizer for TDH project on Community Empowerment for Better Health, test iodized salt as well as shows her daughter Iman Ahmed how to do it, at her home in a village in Assuit district. |
Fatima Khalaf, who directs the Nagea Hamed project, says the sessions yield concrete results.
“On the one hand, women have learned to test for iodised salt and to wash fruits and vegetables properly,” she said. “They have also found a way to improve channels to make new and better friendships. The mere fact that they sit and chat about their lives and problems together means they have had a positive influence on each other. Their lives have been improved all round, and they are physically and mentally healthier, stronger women now.”
The project has already changed practices in rural areas, including early marriage.
“Though I married my eldest daughter off when she was just 15 years old,” said Karima El-Hamdi, “I now know that I will not do the same to my other daughters, because the eldest has faced many problems. I have shared the lesson with the rest of the women here. As human beings we learn from experience – and these seminars have enabled me to share mine with others.”
The community-based sessions are supported through a joint project with the International Federation Terre des Hommes and a local NGO. UNICEF provides local NGOs with the technical assistance and funding to organise and run the project.
The project is a part of a wider attempt by UNICEF to improve general health practices, by improving existing health facilities and by encouraging people to trust health care.
“The uniqueness of this project is that it empowered the community with the relevant health information that can save women's and children's live. It also helps the community to know about their health rights and the available improved services.” said Sahar Hegazi, UNICEF Program Communication specialist.
Tdh says that in Egypt's rural communities, the poor literacy rate of women, the lack of access to basic social services as well as the deeply ingrained local customs, are the main hindrances to a noticeable improvement. (ends)
