Ashas or Accredited Social Health Activists
are women community health workers working in a national government health program in India. They are the face of women community health workers across the globe, as the Asha program is one of the largest and most well-structured CHW programs globally.
Ashavani means both “the voice of hope” and “the voice of Ashas”
Ashavani is an e-platform that advocates the professional growth of women community health workers in India. It highlights the issues of the Asha workers that also have linkages with the concerns of other women community health workers across the globe.
Who are CHWs ?
Community health workers (CHWs) have been a part of primary health programs since several decades in countries across the world. They work largely in health programs for rural poor, marginalised, distant and slum communities. CHWs are largely women with some level of formal education and they carry out various health programs. They work for non - government and government programs. Each woman CHW is selected from her own village, trained, equipped and supervised by the government / NGO she works for and is paid some honorarium by them.
Major issues of CHWs
Payment
Lack of Regularisation and position in the health care system
Ashavani Statement to the Government
Safety
Ashavani e-platform Work Areas
Research on the Asha program
Advocacy for the rights of Asha workers
Training of Asha workers
Virtual participation in global initiatives
Maintaining an E-repository
Showcasing
