Some 30 years ago, when Pallavi Patel of the well-known NGO, CHETNA (Centre for Health, Education, Training and Nutrition Awareness), set out to train traditional birth attendants or dais in the tribal belts of Gujarat, it was important to give graphic information on the human reproductive system, menstruation and child birth. Though they delivered babies and, with practice, began understanding the various stages of pregnancy and complications that might arise, the dais needed more clarity on the reproductive system. So, the health team worked on aprons made out of packaging cloth, locally known as madarpet. On each apron, one stage of menstruation was painted using water colours. After the...
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