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Health

Air Pollution Majorly Affecting the Health of Indians

Air pollution majorly affecting the Health of Indians
Air pollution majorly affecting the Health of Indians

Air is one of the five basic elements known as the ‘panchamahabhutas’ that constitute this universe and also our bodies. The oxygen in air sustains our life and supports the functioning of our body. We need ten times more air than we require food or water to live. Let’s understand what causes air pollution in India?

Given the importance of air as a life-supporting element, it is only natural that the quality of air has a direct and significant impact on our health conditions. With growing urbanisation, industrialization and modernization, the quality of air has considerably degraded and is currently one of the greatest environmental threats affecting health of people globally.

Air Pollution: Major Causes

Air is a mixture of various gases like Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), other inert gases (mainly argon nearly 1%), carbon dioxide (0.03%) and water vapour. This is, however, the ideal composition of air which is in harmony with nature; while the actual composition varies with the place. 

Besides these gases, air also contains some particles of dust and smoke which could be anything from soot, soil dust to sulphates. The amount of deviation from the ideal composition marks the level of pollution in air. The most dangerous pollutants in air are the fine particles with diameter 2.5 microns or less, known as Particulate Matter, in short PM 2.5.

Burning of biomass for cooking and heating purposes at home, burning fossil fuels for power generation, emissions from chemical and manufacturing industries, vehicular emissions, by-products of waste management and certain agricultural and industrial processes are the major man-made sources of air pollution.

Similarly, windblown dust, salt spray, forest fires and volcanic eruptions are some of the natural sources contributing to air pollution.

What causes Air pollution in India?

Though air pollution has a global impact, it disproportionately affects population in developing countries. India is the second most polluted country in the world today.

Some of the major causes of air pollution in India can be outlined as below:

Agricultural Practices: The practice of rotational cropping of paddy and wheat in the Kharif and Rabi seasons respectively in Northern India leads to seasonal paddy stubble burning before sowing wheat. These farm fires mainly in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh cause emissions of particulate matter into the atmosphere which makes the air in and around Delhi almost unfit for breathing.

Vehicular Emissions: Rapid rise in the fleet of vehicles on road has led to increase in vehicular exhaust emissions which are a major contributor to air pollution especially in the urban areas. Vehicular emissions contribute 20-30% of PM2.5 at the breathing level of air quality.

Studies indicate that transport sector accounts for nearly 8% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in India which exceeds 30% in Delhi.

Industrial Emissions: Both heavy and small scale industries contribute heavily to air pollution. Most industrial operations emit huge amounts of organic compounds, hydrocarbons and toxic chemicals to the air. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane also lead to global warming and climate change.

Residential pollution: Burning biomass and fuel like wood, coal or kerosene for cooking, heating purposes at home, results in indoor or household air pollution. According to some studies, the PM2.5 concentration in majority of Indian households is between 86-88 microgram /m3 which is much above the permissible limit of WHO. 

Moreover, a higher concentration of PM2.5 in closed environment is ten times more harmful than similar outdoor concentration as confined spaces enable more build up of potential pollutants than open spaces.

Besides the above sources of air pollution, factors like waste management and some other natural causes like seasonal dust storms, forest fires, and sea salt in coastal areas also contribute to air pollution in India.

What are the Effects of Air Pollution in India?

An analysis of air pollution in India will reveal that it is a matter of grave concern causing huge impact on health, environment and economy. Over 2 million people die prematurely every year in India due to reasons attributed to air pollution.

While a study by ICMR says that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in India, a conference conducted by ASSOCHAM indicated air pollution to be the leading cause for lung cancer in India.

Several studies have linked air pollution to various impacts on human health like:

  • Short-term impacts including irritation to eyes, nose and throat and respiratory infections like bronchitis and pneumonia
  • Long-term health impacts like chronic respiratory diseases, lung cancer, cardiac problems, neurological issues and even damage to brain, liver and kidney
  • Increased risk of incident hypertension due to both short and long term exposure to air pollutants
  • Premature mortality and need for hospitalizations due to respiratory and post- respiratory illnesses in cities
  • Severe health issues like genetic changes, haematological abnormalities, liver impairment and neurobehavioural issues in people with higher exposure to vehicular emissions like traffic policemen, roadside vendors and auto rickshaw and taxi drivers. 

The health impacts of air pollution vary with age, gender and other health conditions. Usually women, children, elderly people and people with co-morbidities like cardiac and lung issues or asthma are more vulnerable to the effects of exposure to degraded air quality.

Besides the adverse impact on health, air pollution also significantly contributes to climate change. Emission of greenhouse gases is one of the major contributors in this regard. While per capita CO2 emissions in India are far below the world average; when compared to previous statistics within India, CO2 emissions have dramatically risen by 300% since 1990. 

Climate change leads to more complicated environmental issues like global warming, rise in sea level, melting of glaciers and extreme weather events leading to increase in frequency and intensity of floods, droughts, storms and torrential rains. 

Regarding economic implications, reports suggest that India loses $150 billion annually due to deaths, preterm births, hospitalizations and loss of work days related to air pollution.

Solutions to Air Pollution

The Indian government has taken significant steps in recent times to resolve the problem of deteriorating air quality. Some of them are:

  • Revision of ambient air quality standards and strengthening vehicular and industry emission standards
  • Promoting electric vehicles
  • Encouraging use of cleaner energy like LPG for cooking
  • Formation of National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) for improving air quality across country with time-bound goals
  • Budgetary allocation of $1.7 billion to fight air pollution over next five years for 42 cities with million plus population with condition that they reduce their pollution levels by 15% annually
  • Approved Law to establish Commission of Air Quality Management in NCR and adjoining areas to enable cross-jurisdiction and airshed level action

Though air pollution is an environmental threat with serious consequences, it is preventable. Gasification of rice straw can provide a viable solution to pollution caused by stubble burning. Similarly, collective efforts of citizens can also help bring down the pollution level.

Judicious use of energy, reliance on renewable energy sources, regulating use of vehicles, switching from chemicals to organic products etc. can be a great way ahead to control air pollution.

Smile Foundation and Health

Smile Foundation believes that healthcare is the basic right of all the citizens of India. In its efforts to make healthcare accessible to those living in far-flung and remote areas of the country, it launched its innovative initiative, Smile on Wheels (SoW) under its Health Cannot Wait programme. This initiative takes healthcare to the doorsteps of those who otherwise might had to travel miles before they receive a decent healthcare facility.

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Livelihood Women Empowerment

Leadership Roles: Importance of Women Empowerment in India

Leadership Roles: Importance of Women Empowerment in India
Leadership Roles: Importance of Women Empowerment in India

The world is often considered to be a male-dominated place. Do share your views in the comments below if you have a different take on this?

Why is the world a male-dominated place? This is because most of the leadership positions, whether in politics, society, or personal spaces, are occupied by men. Even today, a vibrant democracy like the United States has not been able to appoint a woman as its president. Importance of women empowerment in India and the world needs a serious discussion.

However, the overall representation of women around the world is gradually increasing. The importance of women in leadership cannot be denied. It’s especially important in a world where we are fighting the problems of gender inequality, violence against women, female foeticide, and much more.

Is The Question Still: How Valuable are Women in Leadership Roles ?

Women in leadership positions not only work towards creating an equitable world but also bring a different perspective to the system. India has witnessed strong women who have been in leadership positions. We hear about freedom fighters like Maharani Lakshmi Bai, educators like Savitribai Phule, and political leaders like Indira Gandhi. All these women have inspired the Indian population in many ways.

Today, when we talk about women’s empowerment, it is important to observe women participation in Indian politics. According to World Bank Data, the percentage of women in the Indian population was 48.4% in 2021. This was less than neighbouring countries like Afghanistan and Bangladesh. However, on the other hand, the fifth National Family and Health Survey (NFHS) found that India had more women than men for the first time in history. 

Irrespective of this data, we can safely say that India has a huge population of women as the country is likely to surpass China and become the most populated country in the world. Therefore, the political representation of women in India is extremely crucial. When women or girls are about 50% of the population, there should also be an equal representation of women in politics.

Importance of Women Empowerment in India in Political Leadership

When we talk about women in politics, India has been witnessing an increase in representation. While in 1957, the total number of women candidates in the Lok Sabha elections was only 45, it went up to 716 in the last Lok Sabha elections of 2019. This was also a significant growth as compared to the 2014 elections when 668 women had placed their candidature for Lok Sabha elections.

Almost all the major parties in the country have been fielding more women candidates for the elections. In the 2019 Lok Sabha, India had the highest-ever number of women leaders. However, at 78, women still made up only 14% of the total leadership. The percentage in Rajya Sabha in 2020 also stood at around 10.2.

So, we can see that women’s participation in political leadership is increasing. However, there is still a long way to go. But the importance of this increase cannot be ignored. This is a strong marker of the empowerment of women in India. Today, we have strong women leaders in the Indian government’s cabinet. 

Importance of Women Empowerment in India: More Than Leadership

The importance of women empowerment in India is also related to their participation in the overall election process. Not just in leadership positions, women also need to be active participants in selecting leaders. The country is also performing positively in this area. 

In 2019, close to 67% of women voted in Lok Sabha elections, the highest in the country’s history. All these are good signs for India and its women. What we need to achieve is an even greater increase in the percentage of women in the Indian parliament in the coming years.

Women Leading the Way in Other Areas

Another important aspect of women’s empowerment is their representation in corporate leadership. More women in leadership positions in the business world can have a stronger impact on the overall society. It helps in breaking stereotypes and creating role models for future generations. The entertainment industry in India has already created many female role models. Now, the corporate world is also picking up pace.

Women held 17.1% of the board seats in India, according to the seventh edition of Deloitte Global’s Women in the boardroom report. From the 2014 report, when the Companies Act of 2013 required that each board have one woman member, this number grew by 9.4%. While this is impressive growth, there is still a huge scope for improvement in this area.

The report also stated that only 3.6% of board chairs in corporations were occupied by women in 2022. However, on the brighter side, more women are seen in CEO positions as their share went up to 4.7% in 2022 as compared to 3.4% in 2018. So, we can see that the representation of women is increasing but we must strive towards a bigger transformation to achieve parity.

Perhaps, the new-age startups can bring that transformation or at least spearhead it. Reports suggest that women make up 34% of the total workforce in Indian startups and hold around 20% of leadership roles. This is slightly better in comparison to traditional organisations. However, people are looking at entrepreneurs like Vineeta Singh and Ghazal Alagh on popular shows like Shark Tank. This is another positive sign for women in leadership positions in India.

Women Making A Mark Everywhere

Another area in which women are growing their presence constantly is sports. The women’s cricket team has managed to grab the eyeballs of Indian fans in the last few years. This year, the under-19 women’s cricket team also won the world cup and made the country proud. Women athletes like PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, Vinesh Phogat, and many others are an inspiration for millions of girls in the country.

Therefore, it can be easily said that the increase of women in leadership positions in the country is a positive sign. India has been working towards women’s empowerment and what we have achieved so far is motivating. This should push us to continue on the same path and create more women leaders in the years to come.

Smile Foundation and Women Empowerment Through Leadership

Smile Foundation imagines the world with an increasingly number of women leaders in it. To achieve that dream, our livelihood initiative, STeP or the Smile Twin e-Learning programme training the youth with a special focus on women to make them employment ready and become a force to reckon with in the near future.

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Education

NGOs Working for Education

Gender Stereotyping Bad for Both Girls and Boys
Gender Stereotyping Bad for Both Girls and Boys

Data confirms that at least 35 million children aged 6 – 14 years in India do not attend school. Of this, 53%  are girls who are kept at home and illiterate. Another alarming fact is that only  53% of the population of the country has access and means to a primary school. Child Education NGO do their part in bridging the education divide.

Education Rights of Children

Fulfilling the need for compulsory education for all children in the age group of 6-14 is empirical to the Government of India, which is directly mentioned via Article 45 of the Indian Constitution. However, this mission remains incomplete. 

The government has made several inroads to fix lapses that exist in children’s education systems to fulfil the fundamental right provided by the Constitution of India. 

Partnerships of NGOs and the Government of India

To continue an upward economic path, the government understands that it needs skilled and trained manpower to commit to providing education across the length and breadth of the country. This makes the collaboration of the government with NGOs possible. This is done to ensure that child education in India starts at the grass-root level and upwards to strengthen the education system. 

NGOs can also play the role of education ambassadors who can spread awareness about the importance of education and help enroll as many children as possible to avail of basic and primary education for their betterment in life .

There are many leading lights who are are committed to the cause of education and contribute towards child education in a variety of ways. 

Child Education NGO

Many NGOs are committed to promoting literacy and higher learning in the country, especially for the girl child. There are several schemes and initiatives have been undertaken to improve the lives of deserving students through education which ensures that girl children from socially and economically marginalized families have easy and free access to quality education, which in turn decreases the high dropout rates. 

These NGOs also run parallel programs to help kids ages 4 to 6 years from low income communities prepare for school. The idea is to build a strong foundation in language and social skills in a safe, secure and happy learning environment. Even after the kids start school, they continue to support them through those years until they become employable.

Education and Technology 

Some NGOs  help underprivileged children in rural India gain access to quality education using technology. As there is a severe shortage of skill teaching staff in government schools, they make up for it by providing access to education through remote learning. This way children connect to volunteer teachers worldwide through live and interactive classes. It also provides students from under-resourced schools computing and problem-solving skills. 

As most students in marginalized communities live in remote and far-flung parts of the country, most do not have access to the knowledge and skills that will make them part of the productive economy in tomorrow’s workforce, these initiatives go a long way to supporting aspirations of the marginalized youth.

NGOs and School Building

Many NGOs take the route of active school participation by contributing to the government school infrastructure, while some others build schools for the needy. This offers a stronger sense of support to destitute children from backward and marginalized backgrounds, as they are assured of a steady and free primary education, along with shelter and opportunities to succeed in life. 

They also help in setting up libraries in schools to inculcate the reading habit and enhance comprehension, by providing financial support to improve school infrastructure in government schools. Their aim is to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged children belonging to socio-economically marginalized sections of society. 

NGOs for Bright Minds 

Some NGOs mainly focus on identifying and working with bright students from economically disadvantaged families. Their aim is to nurture these high achieving children until they complete their higher education and are then helped in finding a suitable job. 

Working with the knowledge that intelligent students can come from any strata of society, and those that come from low-income families have limited access to resources and opportunities to shine because of low-quality education and lack of financial help. Therefore complete financial support is offered to these deserving children from economically challenged backgrounds into higher education until they graduate and find employment.

Smile Foundation

Smile Foundation is primarily a child education NGO that wants to empower children through education. Our flagship program Mission Education has been working with the objective of empowering underprivileged children by providing education and healthcare support. We follow a four-pronged holistic approach, with a focus on children, teachers, learning environment and community engagement. 

There are also scholarships and vocational training programmes to facilitate easy transition from learning to earning and giving less privileged children equal opportunities to pursue higher education, professional courses and technical careers.

Final Thoughts

The country needs this collaborative partnership to achieve its goal of 100% literacy amongst the children and youth of India. The next 25 years will be critical in measuring the strides made in the fields of education and literacy because when India turns a century, it must have a solid educational foundation as its backbone. 

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Girl Child

100% Girl Child Education and the Indian Economy

Power of Cause-related Marketing: Purpose-Driven Initiatives
Power of Cause-related Marketing: Purpose-Driven Initiatives

Education is an essential part of an individual’s life. It helps in shaping a person’s career, decision-making abilities, and overall personality. But, unfortunately, there are still several parts of the world where education is a luxury and not a right. In India, one such area that requires immediate attention is girl child education. 

Despite several initiatives by the government, many girls in India are still deprived of education. The lack of education not only affects the individual but also the economy of the country. Hence, it is crucial to ensure 100% girl child education to boost the Indian economy. Let’s dive into the various aspects of girl child education in India, the problems faced, and possible solutions.

Status in India

In India, several factors contribute to the lack of girls’ education. Early marriages, socio-cultural norms, poverty, and gender discrimination are some of the significant reasons for the low enrolment of girls in schools. According to a report by the United Nations, India has the highest number of child brides globally. Early marriages not only end a girl’s education but also put them at risk of several health complications.

Another major issue is gender discrimination, which leads to a lower value for girls’ education. Girls are considered to be responsible for household chores, and their education is often seen as a waste of time and resources. Poverty is another crucial factor that forces families to choose between sending their children to school or work. The lack of resources and financial stability results in girls’ education being compromised.

The Need to Improve Girl Child Education

The importance of girl child education cannot be emphasized enough. Educated girls have better opportunities, earn higher wages, and contribute significantly to the economy. According to a report by the World Bank, if every girl worldwide received 12 years of quality education, their lifetime earnings could increase by $15 trillion to $30 trillion globally. Educated girls also tend to marry later, have fewer children, and make better decisions for themselves and their families.

Improved education can also positively impact society. Educated girls are more aware of their rights and are more likely to speak out against social issues like gender discrimination and violence. Education also helps in reducing child marriages, which leads to a healthier and more prosperous society.

Problems of Girl Child Education

According to a TOI report, 40% of girls aged 15-18, don’t attend school. These girls are not only deprived of their right to education but are also at risk of several health complications, early marriages, and poverty.

Measures for Girl Child Education

To improve girl child education, it is essential to address the root causes. Educating parents, creating awareness about the importance of education, and providing financial assistance can help in increasing enrolment. Government initiatives like the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme have helped in reducing the gender gap in education. These schemes focus on providing equal opportunities for girls and boys and creating a safe and conducive environment for learning.

Apart from government initiatives, several NGOs and individuals have taken it upon themselves to improve girl child education. Smile Foundation’s She Can Fly initiative is aimed at enabling and empowering young girls and women to become self-reliant and rise up to their full potential through interventions in education, vocational and skill training, healthcare and nutrition. 

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Partnerships

Significance of Cause Related Marketing (CRM) in NGOs

Cause Related Marketing For NGOs

Non-profit organisations or NGOs need to continually work towards gathering funds for a cause. Whether it is a cause dedicated to education, health, livelihood, or any other developmental issue, funds are crucial for the initiatives. NGOs use a range of ways to collect funds, including Cause Related Marketing.

What is Cause Related Marketing or CRM?

The phrase was initially used by American Express to characterise its 1983 fundraising effort for the restoration of the Statue of Liberty. Every time someone used an American Express charge card, the company gave one penny toward the repair.

Cause marketing definition, thus, can be any collaboration between a non-profit and a business. The collaboration is aimed towards increasing sales for the business and promoting the NGO’s cause.

There are instances of Cause Related Marketing everywhere in today’s world. You might have come across it while ordering food, buying clothes, or booking your airline tickets. Businesses urge customers to donate a small amount to a particular fund or dedicate a share of the earnings to a cause.

Benefits of Cause-Related Marketing

As mentioned above, CRM is a unique tool for consolidating support for a cause. At the same time, it helps a business grow. This benefit that it provides a business pushes them to invest a healthy amount in the marketing efforts. 

Non-profit organisations often find it hard to spend a lot of money on advertising or marketing. Therefore, this partnership enables them to gain visibility and reach the masses. While helping the NGOs, it is also beneficial to the businesses.

The ways in which CRM benefits businesses include fulfilling their corporate social responsibility, boosting the morale of their employees, improving their image in public, creating a unique image for the brand, etc.

Communities gain from cause-related marketing as well. A greater awareness creates opportunities for advancement. The campaign and its backing have significantly advanced social issues.

With the advantages, there are also some disadvantages of cause-related marketing. One of the biggest concerns is that it can badly affect the image of the NGO and the business. People might accuse the non-profit of engaging in commercialism.

At the same time, CRM may also be used as a tool to only benefit an organisation while ignoring the end result of the cause. 

Cause-Related Marketing Examples

While there are many examples of Cause Related Marketing around the world, let us look at a few of them. One of the latest examples is Squarespace’s Act with Pride campaign. 

Website host Squarespace made the decision to highlight LGBTQIA+ community members with motivational tales for Pride Month. The “#ActWithPride” campaign provided free Instagram Story Templates that users could download and use when creating stories. Following that, winners were highlighted on Squarespace’s Instagram profile page and story.

Another example is that of the Leftovers Challenge by Mythical Kitchen. Josh Scherer, a chef on YouTube, runs the Mythical Kitchen channel where he posts recipes for comfort cuisine. To launch the #LeftoversChallenge, he collaborated with a number of hosts from culinary channels, including Andrew Rea of Binging with Babish and Alvin Cailan of First We Feast.

The #LeftoversChallenge challenges participants to create original dishes using leftovers and post them on social media with the hashtag. To help restaurant employees if they lost their jobs, the organisers gave them 50% of the proceeds. 

Additionally, 25% went to charitable organisations that support restaurant employees, and the final 25% went to low-interest loans for failing businesses.

Future of Cause-Related Marketing

As businesses grow, it becomes imperative that they help and support the communities they operate in. At the same time, we are seeing the world is getting smaller. Today, businesses cannot escape their corporate responsibility.

It matters how businesses choose to participate—or not. Consider Nike’s response to the Black Lives Matter movement as an illustration of how companies are utilising their platforms to engage on issues that have the greatest impact on their target audiences and communities.

Consumers are also more aware today as they wish to associate with the brands that work for the community as well. Therefore, we can expect that more and more businesses will indulge in Cause Related Marketing in the future.

The rise of big charities and successful mass campaigns is also emerging as a healthy trend. Large charities require a lot of funds to create impact at scale. This makes it crucial for them to parent with for-profits too. So, as we move forward, we can expect more creative and more impactful Cause Related Marketing campaigns in the future.

Smile Foundation and CRM

Smile Foundation is always looking for opportunities to collaborate with brands that share with us the ethos and values of child education and the holistic development of families. Learn more about the cause-related marketing partnerships of Smile Foundation here!

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Partners In Change

Role of a Teacher transformed in the Era of Digital Learning

How has the role of a teacher transformed in the era of digital learning?
Discussing the process of mensuration with women and girls

Teaching, as a profession, has always been revered. Teachers have been considered akin to God in Indian culture. They have played a crucial role in shaping the lives of their pupils. Even today, millions of teachers across the world continue to work hard for their students’ success. The Livelihood Skill Development Programme by the government and the NGOs also focusing on equipping the teachers.

“Teaching is a very noble profession that shapes the character, calibre, and future of an individual. If the people remember me as a good teacher, that will be the biggest honour for me” – APJ Abdul Kalam.

However, with the introduction of the internet, the role of teachers in the digital era is transforming. Digital media has now changed the way teachers engage with students in a classroom. We are now seeing smart classrooms which make use of new-age digital tools to make learning an enjoyable activity for the students.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, all education and training moved online. It was through digital platforms that the teachers engaged with the students. Even with all the hurdles and inefficiencies, this showed us the potential of digital learning in today’s world. So, as we move towards an era of digital learning, let us look at how it is changing the role of teachers in education.

Continuous Upgrade in Skills Through Livelihood Skill Development Programme

The introduction of digital media is rapidly changing the way teaching-learning happens. New interactive tools for instruction, assessment, and management are aiding the teachers. There is a boost in educational technology-based platforms. Learning Management Systems like Moodle are now becoming central to digital learning processes.

However, operating these new tools requires an upgrade in skills. Teachers, who have been using traditional methods of classroom teaching, need to now focus on learning these new tools. It is also important to make the entire teaching process more efficient. There is no escape for digital learning even in traditional classrooms.

Experiments with smart teaching have also begun in government schools in Indian states like Delhi and Kerala. This means that the teachers will have to adapt themselves to these changing conditions.

Democratization of Education

One thing that internet and digital learning has done is that it has democratized education. Today, anybody can go on the internet and begin teaching what they are good at. Students from across the country can log onto the internet and access the free and paid resources.

This means that teaching-learning activities are not limited to institutional barriers anymore. This is why we are seeing a rapid growth in the diversity of career paths among the newer generation.

Millennials and Gen Z are not just limited to finding traditional jobs today. They are looking at creative fields and entrepreneurship as career options too; a great livelihood skill development programme will help the young students with that.

This democratization of education has also changed the role of teachers in society. They are not only the givers of knowledge anymore. They also need to help the learners manoeuvre through all the information that is being bombarded on them.

In the age of social media, many teachers have taken to analysis of latest events, leadership coaching, and much more. It is becoming an important source of inspiration, idea-sharing, and motivation for the learners.

Exposure to New Opportunities Through Livelihood Skill Development Programme

With education becoming democratic and accessible to a larger population, new opportunities are opening for people. Now, anybody can learn or acquire a new skill through platforms like YouTube. This has added a new dimension to the livelihood skill development programme.

People can now choose a variety of vocations and become micro-entrepreneurs by making use of the large bank of knowledge that is available to them through the internet.

However, this does not take away the importance of traditional livelihood training programme. India is a big country, and the internet penetration is still low here as compared to developed economies.

A large section of the country is still dependent upon the traditional modes of learning and training. Therefore, it is important that people donate for the livelihood skills development program.

By supporting the traditional institutions, we can enable them to make a shift towards digital learning as well. This will set them on the path to further helping more learners in acquiring the necessary livelihood-generating skills.

Many Benefits of Digital Education

Supporting students’ individual learning paces is one of the main benefits of digital education. Additionally, thanks to the digital format, teachers can adapt the curriculum to the ability of their students. The abundance of learning opportunities that digital education provides for students is one of its greatest benefits. 

Through the use of digital tools, students can learn a variety of new topics. In the case of the traditional educational system, there are few opportunities for interaction.

On the other hand, the digital education system offers a broad variety of learning alternatives thanks to the content’s unlimited availability, interactive lessons, virtual reality, etc. 

Due to automated report generation and real-time feedback, the digital education system makes student evaluations more visible.

The potential for e-learning to completely change the nation’s educational system has been demonstrated. We might soon witness better content, better tools, and better teaching methodologies thanks to the rise of new e-learning platforms and the growing competition among them.

In a nutshell, the role of teachers in education is going to be transformed forever. We can hope for a better future in education as we continue the path of digitalization.

Smile Foundation and Livelihood

Smile Foundation wants the Indian youth to be skilled adequately for taking on professional roles as soon as they join the workforce. STeP initiative continues to create a pool of young and independent people through skill enhancement in tandem with market requirements providing training in soft skills, basic computer use, spoken English, and the basics of written communication as well.

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Insights

Are Indian Women Healthy? A Quick Overview

IMG 9612 1

Women’s Health India- What about it?

A woman lives many lives in one life-cycle. An average woman passes through different stages like adolescence, reproductive age, menopause and post-menopausal phases. She has to adapt to a series of physiological and psychological changes affecting many aspects of her being. 

Adding to this, events like pregnancy and motherhood once or multiple times make a woman’s life cycle much more complex than her male counterparts.

Not to forget the socio-cultural practices associated with many of these stages, which complicate them further for women. This gives a strong reason to be more particular and concerned about the health status of our women, but in reality are we? 

Women’s health India is often a query that needs some concrete answers. Let’s try to find out.

Women’s Health in India

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” However whenever there is a discussion about women’s health, it is mainly focused on only reproductive health, neglecting many other important aspects. 

In order to understand the health status of women in India, it needs to be examined against the backdrop of various dimensions of health and compared against corresponding global averages and also against that of men in India.

The socio-cultural set-up and deep rooted patriarchy have relegated women to a secondary status in India. Traditionally in Indian families, it is the male who is given utmost importance as the earning member. 

Though women form the backbone of the family and are primary caregivers and homemakers, their work has been grossly undervalued. This lack of importance to women in the family adversely affects their access to healthcare services among other things.

The National Health Portal (NHP), Govt. of India identifies four major issues affecting Indian women. They are:

Malnutrition

This is one of the foremost women’s health issues in India. Indian women are socially and mentally conditioned to sacrifice for their family. They are trained to be the nurturers who would eat after feeding the entire family. This and other such practices have hugely contributed to women’s malnourishment. 

India accounts for one of the highest rates of malnourished women among developing countries. 24%of women in India are malnourished and 54% women are anemic. While the nutritional intake in early adolescence is nearly equal, the rate of malnutrition increases for women as they enter adulthood. This malnourishment in young girls leads to multiple issues as they enter into pregnancy and motherhood.

Poor Maternal Healthcare 

There is a severe lack of maternal health care for Indian women. Although in the past few years awareness has been improving, we still have a long way to go. As per a study, India has a Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 113 which is much higher than the target of 70 set by United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). 

This accounts for 15% of the world’s maternal deaths. However, the MMR is not identical across all states or even within different regions of a state. While urban areas often have lower MMR, women’s health in rural areas in India is more vulnerable due to lack of access to healthcare facilities and poor awareness level regarding maternal health care needs.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence refers to any act of violence from close/intimate relations of a person usually a partner, spouse, or family member. In India, domestic violence is usually reflected in the form of gender-based violence against women and girl child. 

Mainly inflicted in the form of physical, psychological and sexual violence, domestic violence is a threat to women across the world and is considered as a hidden epidemic by the World Health Organization. According to a research paper, there is a direct correlation between domestic violence and poor health & well-being of not just women but also the children they give birth and care for. 

Findings indicate that gender based violence is a risk factor for unintended pregnancies among adolescent and young adult women.

Suicide 

Suicide or ending one’s own life is an extreme step often resulting from mental and emotional distress. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) shows that during 2021, as many as 45K women in India died by suicide, more than 23,000 of them being housewives. 

The death rate by suicide reached to record-high this year, following a turbulent year caused by the pandemic. The NCRB report states family problems and illness as the primary reasons behind the suicides, with more female suicides caused due to marriage related owes pertaining to dowry and infertility.  

Understanding the Status of Women’s Health in India

    • Poor Menstrual Management: Data shows that girls are treated almost at par with boys until adolescence, but with onset of puberty several outcomes for girls begin to diverge. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) states that 77.6% of women in India in the age group of 15-24 years use a hygienic method of menstrual protection like locally made  napkins, sanitary napkins, tampons or menstrual cups. Millions of women in India still face major obstacles to a comfortable and dignified experience of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM). Lack of education and awareness about menstrual health, lack of proper sanitation facilities and lack of access to suitable MHM products lead to poor menstrual hygiene which results in many kinds of diseases and infections in women.

    • Lack of access to family planning measures: Lack of women’s access and agency to contraceptive measures results in early motherhood and more number of children which adversely impacts women’s health. Women often have limited or no autonomy in decisions regarding family planning. A change of mindset and societal norms is highly called for to improve this situation.

    • Discrimination against working women: There is still huge gender disparity for an average working woman at the work place. In 2015, India had largest gender gap in median earnings of full time employees. Pay inequality, informal engagement, women-insensitive work environment and hurdles in rising in occupational hierarchy often discourage women from actively participating in formal employment. Adding to this, lack of cooperation from spouse and in-laws to manage households adds to the burden of married working women and affects their physical and mental health adversely.

donate online for Health

Health is the most important asset for an individual and healthy population is the need of a nation. Women’s health in particular is of primary concern as it has been constantly neglected and also determines health of future generations. 

Awareness campaigns, improvement of health infrastructure and access to healthcare are crucial to improve the health scenario. Please donate online for health care and partner in creating a healthy India. Learn more about Smile Foundation here!

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Nutrition

How Gender Gap Impacts Nutrition?

How Gender Gap Impacts Nutrition?
How Gender Gap Impacts Nutrition?

When we hear about inequality among people, the gender gap immediately comes to our minds. It is one of the biggest challenges faced by our modern society apart from economic inequality. There are many ways in which the gender gap or gender inequality impacts women. Whether it is access to education or career opportunities, women face hurdles in many ways. Gender bias in health and nutrition also needs some attention.

This is primarily attributed to the social ills that exist in our society. However, one aspect of gender inequality which is often overlooked is the impact that it has on nutrition. Gender bias in health and nutrition is a challenge that is faced by the majority of the population in the world.

Gender bias is when a particular gender is given preference over the other. As per a 2020 report by the United Nations, close to 90% of people had some kind of bias against women. This bias is reflected in the nutritional intake of women.

In traditional societies around the world, including in India, women often have to compromise on their food intake. Young boys of the household are given healthier food in anticipation that they need to grow up and support the family.

Not just that, taboos associated with pregnancy and menstruation also lead to several restrictions on women’s food intake. This leads to overall nutritional deficiency among women which is much more as compared to men.

Gender Bias and Food Insecurity

As per a 2016 research paper published in the National Library of Medicine, it was found that more tribal women in India suffered from undernutrition than men. 13.6% of women suffered from severe undernutrition. Among men, the number stood at 9.6%. The same trends were observed in overall nutrition levels.

Not just that, it has also been found that globally 150 million more women face food insecurity as compared to men. Women in more than two-thirds of the countries in the world are more food insecure than men. This is strong evidence of gender bias in health.

Gender bias in health and nutrition is also observed in India just like the rest of the world. Research has found that gender bias in health exists in many states of India. This has been measured using BMI index, malnourishment, adult food consumption, and much more.

Female Malnutrition in India

A similar trend of female malnutrition in India and gender bias in health is observed through other metrics as well. Child mortality in India is higher among girls than boys. This contrasts with the rest of the world.

The effects of malnutrition on girls are more severe in India as compared to boys. The girl child malnutrition in India is also a result of the food intake of adult women in households. India has the highest number of undernourished adult women among developing countries.

These undernourished women give birth to undernourished children and if it is a girl child, it leads to further undernourishment among them. Study has also found that gender bias in health and nutrition starts appearing among Indian households as the boys reach the age of 15.

Gender Bias in Health and Nutrition: The Way Forward

Women make up half of the population of the world. They have faced gender bias and have been deprived of many opportunities over centuries. As we are moving forward, we can now see positive changes happening in the society.

Today, more and more women are getting better access to education, and career opportunities, and are living a life of liberty. However, there is still a lot that is left to do to bridge the gaps that have occurred among men and women.

As we have already seen, gender bias in health and nutrition does not only impact women’s growth and development. It also has severe implications like increased mortality and generational undernourishment.

Therefore, the way forward to deal with the problem of gender bias in nutrition is to work aggressively towards solving the policy-level problems as well as eliminating social ills.

This can be achieved by a two-pronged approach. First, we need to continue spreading awareness about the severe impact of gender bias on women. At the same time, taboos related to pregnancy or menstruation need to be dealt with.

The biases that exist within the households need to be identified, acknowledged, and done away with. It needs to be understood that women need as much nutrition as men, and they need more nutrition when they are pregnant.

Having said that, we also need policy-level intervention from individual countries and the group of nations as well. When everyone comes together to ensure equal access to nutrition for both men and women, it can help in the overall growth of our society.

There are many ways to achieve this; ensuring education for women, encouraging entrepreneurship among them, working towards overall empowerment, investing in further research on the nutrition gap, and much more.

The creation of inclusive workplaces and livelihood opportunities, particularly for women and transgender persons, as well as measures to ensure financial inclusion, economic empowerment, and protection from violence, should be the main objectives of policies and programmes.

Smile Foundation and Women Empowerment

The more the number of women get empowered either through employment or entrepreneurship, the gender bias in health and nutrition will keep decreasing. Be a part of a gender-equal society today!

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Health

Anything for a Smile

How Mobile Dental Units Save Trouble for the Urban Poor in India?
How Mobile Dental Units Save Trouble for the Urban Poor in India?

In India, access to oral health services in urban and rural communities is often limited, resulting in higher rates of untreated dental conditions and poorer oral health outcomes. Lack of awareness, inadequate infrastructure, and limited availability of dental professionals contribute to these numbers.

Slum and rural populations face significant challenges in accessing dental care. It is estimated that the majority of rural children aged 6-14 years have never received dental treatment. This underscores the urgent need for mobile dental units to reach unreached communities and provide essential oral health services.

Improving Accessibility to Dental Care

Mobile dental units play a crucial role in increasing accessibility to dental care for urban low-income households. These units are equipped with state-of-the-art dental facilities, and visit even remote rural areas, thus eliminating the need for individuals to travel long distances or incur additional expenses to receive treatment.

By bringing dental care directly to the community, the mobile dental units ensure that individuals who previously faced barriers to access can now receive timely treatment.

Preventive and Curative Care

Mobile dental units are not only focused on curative care but also emphasize preventive measures. The mobile clinics conduct oral health screenings, dental hygiene education, and awareness campaigns– all in collaboration with local organizations. These oral healthcare initiatives help educate individuals about proper oral hygiene practices and the importance of regular dental check-ups, ultimately reducing the incidence of dental diseases.

The practicality and convenience offered by mobile dental clinics allow for a wider range of dental treatments to be provided to underserved communities. From routine check-ups to fillings, extractions, and even denture fittings, these units are equipped to handle various dental procedures, thereby addressing both immediate and long-term oral health needs.

Impact on Oral Health Statistics

1. Mobile dental programs have demonstrated a significant positive impact on oral health statistics. They have contributed to reducing the prevalence of dental diseases, such as cavities and gum diseases, among the urban poor. Moreover, early detection of oral health problems through regular screenings has led to timely intervention, preventing the escalation of oral health conditions.

2. The Rural Health Information Hub highlights the importance of mobile dental units in addressing the oral health disparities prevalent in rural areas. By reaching remote regions where access to dental care is limited, these units have played a pivotal role in improving oral health outcomes among the rural population.

Challenges in Implementing Mobile Dental Units

While mobile dental units have proven to be a valuable resource in improving dental care for the urban poor in India, several challenges hinder their widespread implementation. These challenges encompass financial constraints, logistical complexities, and the recruitment of skilled dental professionals. However, it is crucial to address these hurdles to ensure the sustained success and impact of mobile dental programs.

1. Funding: One of the primary challenges faced by mobile dental units is the availability of adequate funding. Acquiring and maintaining mobile dental clinics, equipping them with necessary dental equipment and supplies, and covering operational costs require substantial financial resources. Securing funding becomes imperative to sustain these initiatives and provide ongoing dental care to underserved communities.

2. Logistical Complexities: Mobile dental units face logistical challenges in terms of planning routes, coordinating with local communities, and ensuring a steady supply of resources. The diverse and often sprawling nature of urban areas in India presents unique challenges in reaching the targeted population. Overcoming these logistical complexities necessitates efficient coordination among dental professionals, support staff, and local community leaders to ensure smooth operations and maximize the reach of the mobile clinics.

3. Skilled Dental Professionals: The availability and recruitment of skilled dental professionals present a significant challenge in implementing mobile dental units. These programs require qualified dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants who possess the expertise to provide comprehensive dental care. 

However, attracting dental professionals to work in remote or underserved areas can be challenging due to the lack of infrastructure, limited career growth prospects, and a preference for urban practice settings. Encouraging and incentivizing dental professionals to serve in mobile dental units through appropriate remuneration, professional development opportunities, and recognition can help overcome this challenge.

While challenges exist in implementing mobile dental units for the urban poor in India, they can be overcome through strategic planning and collaboration with local organizations and dental professionals. By addressing these challenges, mobile dental programs can continue to provide accessible and comprehensive dental care, improve oral health outcomes, and alleviate the burden faced by the urban poor. 

The commitment of stakeholders, including government bodies, philanthropic organizations, dental professionals, and community leaders, is crucial in establishing sustainable mobile dental units and ensuring equitable dental care for all.

Possible Solutions and New Discoveries

Addressing the challenges associated with mobile dental units requires innovative solutions and ongoing advancements in the field of dental care. By leveraging technology, adopting sustainable practices, and promoting collaborative efforts, these solutions can enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of mobile dental programs.

1. Tele-dentistry: The integration of tele-dentistry into mobile dental units can revolutionize the delivery of dental care. By utilizing digital platforms and video consultations, dental professionals can remotely assess and diagnose oral health issues, provide guidance on oral hygiene practices, and even prescribe medications. This approach not only expands the reach of mobile dental units but also enables real-time communication between dental professionals and patients, optimizing the use of resources.

2. Portable Dental Equipment: The development of portable and compact dental equipment can significantly overcome logistical challenges associated with mobile dental units. Advancements in technology have resulted in the creation of lightweight, portable dental chairs, digital X-ray devices, and portable dental units. These innovations facilitate the efficient setup and operation of mobile clinics, enabling dental professionals to provide comprehensive dental care in remote or underserved areas with minimal space requirements.

3. Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborations between government bodies, non-profits, and private dental practitioners can strengthen mobile dental programs. Public-private partnerships allow for shared resources, expertise, and funding, enabling the expansion of mobile dental units and the delivery of sustainable dental care services. Government agencies can provide support in terms of regulatory frameworks, funding, and access to underserved communities, while private dental practitioners contribute their skills, equipment, and resources.

4. Community Engagement and Education: Mobilizing community participation and promoting oral health education is crucial for the long-term success of mobile dental units. Engaging community leaders, local organizations, and schools can foster a sense of ownership and encourage individuals to prioritize their oral health. Oral health awareness campaigns, educational workshops, and demonstrations on proper oral hygiene practices can empower communities to take proactive measures in maintaining good oral health, leading to a reduction in the prevalence of dental diseases.

Real-Life Examples of Overcoming Challenges

Despite the aforementioned challenges, there have been successful instances of overcoming these hurdles and implementing mobile dental units effectively in India.

The Indian Dental Association (IDA) has established a mobile dental clinic in Mumbai, Maharashtra, to provide dental care to underserved populations in the city. By partnering with local organizations, the IDA overcame logistical challenges by strategically planning the clinic’s route and scheduling visits to different communities. The IDA also collaborated with dental colleges and institutes to recruit dental professionals who volunteer their services, addressing the challenge of skilled professionals.

In a recent development, GlaxoSmithKline Asia launched four mobile dental vans in collaboration with the Smile on Wheels (SoW) initiative of Smile Foundation. These vans aim to provide free dental care consultations and increase access to oral healthcare for underserved communities in Delhi NCR.

Realising Full Potential

Mobile dental units have the potential to alleviate the oral health burdens faced by the urban poor in India. By implementing innovative solutions, embracing new discoveries, and promoting collaborative efforts, these challenges can be overcome.

The integration of tele-dentistry, advancements in portable dental equipment, public-private partnerships, community engagement, and ongoing research and development are vital in improving the accessibility, quality, and sustainability of mobile dental programs. Through these collective efforts, mobile dental units can continue to save trouble for the urban poor, providing them with the necessary dental care they deserve.

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Smile Insights

Strengthening Grassroots Nonprofits: Notes from LFR Training Session

Strengthening Grassroots Nonprofits: Notes from LFR Training Session
Strengthening Grassroots Nonprofits: Notes from LFR Training Session

In a room adorned with vibrant post-it notes on a white chart paper, representatives from seven grassroots non-profits gather with hopeful expressions. This marks the fifth day of their training, and their eyes shimmer with excitement as they present their fundraising event ideas. Among them, a dedicated duo from an Odisha-based organization working on children’s education shares their heartwarming plan – a fair filled with engaging activities and a special “wish tree” where their young beneficiaries can express their needs, and donors can fulfill these cherished wishes.

It’s incredible how this idea, born from love and compassion, can now serve as a powerful platform for their organization to raise funds. They had experimented with it before, but it was in this very training session, hosted by Smile Foundation, that they realize its potential as a heartwarming fundraising event. This kind of transformational realization is not uncommon among grassroots organizations. They often face challenges due to limited resources, lack of expertise, and constraints on time, making it challenging to focus on Local Fundraising (LFR).

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Sindhu Nambiath of EG conducting one part of the LFR Training session

Local Fundraising (LFR) Training of Empowering Grassroots (EG)

The LFR training, an empowering journey for grassroots organizations, organized by our Empowering Grassroots(EG) programme lasts for six days, followed by six months of coaching and mentoring. Participants conceptualize fundraising events tailor-made for their communities. This training equips them with the latest global fundraising methods and supports them in expanding their reach, visibility, and fundraising capabilities.

Pandemic and LFR Training

During the pandemic years, the significance of these trainings grew even more apparent. Grassroots organizations became the essential lifeline connecting communities with the government, especially in remote areas. As donors rallied to support Covid management efforts, accessing funding became easier. However, as a large portion of funds were redirected toward Covid relief, other crucial programs faced financial strains.

Non-profits had to adapt, stepping out of their comfort zones and embracing digital tools and innovative approaches to engage donors and sustain their vital work. Smile Foundation responded by shifting the training online, ensuring continuity. Zoom meetings brought together passionate participants with expert trainers, encouraging interactive learning through various activities. The pandemic became an opportunity for growth and expansion.

Take, for example, the inspiring story of Action for Women and Rural Development (AWARD) in Satara, Maharashtra. Participants of the online training held in 2021, AWARD organized a tribal and organic food festival, where local farmers showcased their fresh produce for sale. The event turned out to be a grand success, generating funds for AWARD and its beneficiaries. But its impact went beyond finances. It united different organizations and communities in the region, fostering solidarity and mutual support.

AWARD used the funds to train community members, empowering artisans to create beautiful bamboo baskets for sale. Now, these skillful artisans have their creations reaching out to the world. The model of fundraising became replicable, inspiring other groups to conduct their events. One of these groups even raised enough to register a piece of land – a life-changing achievement.

Building a Cohort

Throughout the training, a sense of camaraderie builds among the participants. They share experiences, and gaps in their processes, and seek advice from each other and the trainers. Bonds form, creating a support network they can rely on whenever they need it.

As the July 2023 training session came to an end, participants received their certificates with beaming pride. But for them, it’s just the beginning of a transformative journey towards self-reliance, where willing and able donors join hands to create a brighter future for all.

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A wholesome learning experience for grassroots nonprofits. Seen here is Mukesh George from EG interacting with the participants.

In the words of Manjusha from AWARD, “Don’t stop with just one LFR event, keep going and motivate others.” Her empowering journey serves as inspiration for the rest. There’s a renewed sense of confidence, as Arun from YCDA, Odisha, states, “After hearing her experience, I feel confident we can do it too. We now understand our planning better.”

In this heartwarming atmosphere, Pankaj from Vikalp Foundation, Bihar, shares his newfound wisdom, “We used to assume certain donors wouldn’t be interested in our work. But now, we keep our minds open and explore ways to engage them that are mutually beneficial.”

Transformation shall continue

These dedicated individuals have embarked on a life-changing path, transforming lives through the power of love and unity. This empowering journey will continue, leaving an indelible mark on their communities and beyond, supported by the heartwarming embrace of willing donors.

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