Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in India: Self-Care for Universal Health Coverage

This open access book addresses self-care on sexual and reproductive health and rights and HIV prevention and treatment in the most marginalized and vulnerable communities. Case studies and personal narratives are used to share their perspectives and experiences, sources of information for self-care products, motivations for self-care, and challenges and outcomes. Self-care provides the way to reach the last mile in achieving universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. Issues related to stigma, discrimination and violence among these communities are highlighted. Changes in policies and programs to improve their sexual and reproductive health, education and employment are discussed. The last chapter in the book examines how the agenda on self-care can be advanced in the years ahead. The audience for this publication includes health professionals, researchers, those managing health institutions and service providers.

Saroj Pachauri, a Public Health Physician has undertaken extensive research on sexual and reproductive health and rights, HIV and AIDS, family planning, maternal health, gender, poverty and youth. Saroj Pachauri was Regional Director for South and East Asia, Population Council. She has published 4 books, contributed chapters to 20 books, published over 100 papers in peer-reviewed journals and numerous print and media articles. She was awarded the Grants Gold Medal for securing the first position in DPH and was bestowed the prestigious title of Distinguished Scholar by the Population Council.

Ash Pachauri, a Ph.D. in Behavioral Science and a Public Health Expert, is a Self-Care Guideline Development Group Member of the World Health Organization, Geneva.  He was awarded the exclusive Overseas Research Scholarship by the Secretary of State for Education and Science, UK; awarded a full scholarship for a Ford Foundation-funded Sexual Health Education Program by San Francisco State University; and honored with the “Portraits of Commitment” leadership title by the United Nations. He has contributed to 5 books and authored over 55 conference papers and publications.

Komal Mittal is Research Associate in health at the Center for Human Progress and is a Global Youth Mentor with the POP (Protect Our Planet) Movement. She has conducted research on understanding self-care practices of the most marginalized and vulnerable communities in India. Komal Mittal led a national youth group supported by UNAIDS which focused on promoting leadership and advocacy for the Sustainable Development Goals. She has attended several conferences, including some internationally, and has presented several reports on public health issues. She was awarded the “Research Excellence Award” in the field of biotechnology for a study on “Extraction of Acid Soluble Collagen from Soybean and Tomato.”