N O R TH N S W CO N FE R E N CE N E WS
NOV
2014 Zenith Beach
Maids of Courage It’s not often that the beauty and power of vulnerability is celebrated in public forums. But when three women from Asian Aid’s Women’s Health Project in Nepal visited Australia in September, the dialogue about the courage and vulnerability of Nepal’s “Maids of Courage” — women who have risked embarrassment and discrimination by openly sharing their health struggles with uterine prolapse (UP) — was made public. Their presentations about the sensitive and highly neglected issue of UP in Nepal highlighted the power vulnerability has in empowering women to receive help and to inspire change around them. Dr Angela Basnet, Rama Basnet and Samita Pradhan — from Asian Aid’s partners Community Service Academy of Nepal (COSAN) and the Centre for Agro-Ecology and Development (CAED) in Nepal — spoke boldly to receptive audiences in New South Wales and Queensland about the issue of UP. “Educating people — in Nepal and abroad — about the social stigma that comes with UP, about the importance of changing men’s attitudes towards equality and equity, and about preventative measures takes time,” Samita told audiences in Australia. Despite working in a society where deeply-ingrained cultural practices and beliefs often prevent women from seeking or receiving help, Asian Aid’s partners are committed to advocating for change. “We partner with local volunteers and organisations to build trust, and achieve sustainability for our program in the remote communities in which we work,” says Samita. “One method we use is to train local ‘model couples’ and health workers to encourage women and girls to be more open — and vulnerable. Our staff live in the community and help educate community members about the causes and effects of UP, provide basic diagnosis, referral and treatment to women with UP, and give necessary counselling.” Sita’s Story Sita’s story was one of many stories the women shared with audiences in Australia. Sita’s experience of suffering in silence began after losing her first child in labour. Three weeks after the birth, and after being made to return to work in the fields again, Sita was carrying water on her back up a long, steep hill when she first noticed signs of the “fallen womb.” Daily activities became difficult from then on. Sita’s husband considered the condition “normal” because his own mother suffered from third-degree UP too. Like many other women, Sita suffered in silence, doing her best to bring as little attention as possible to her condition. Twenty-five years on, when COSAN set up a free health clinic in the village, Sita’s husband advised her to seek help. After her check up, Sita was sent immediately to (Continued on page 3)
In this issue:
Page 2: From the President: Buy land Page 4: Rally Day brings Pathfinders together in a new way Page 7: No secret about outreach at Blue Haven Page 8: Three blessed baptisms at Woy Woy
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