Determinants of rural women's participation in India's National Leprosy Eradication Programme

A multistage representative random sample of women and men from each of the 3 states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, from the rural blocks where the Leprosy Mission Hospitals were located were selected during 2010 to identify relevant factors that are preventing active participation of women and suggest corrective steps. Adult men and women were interviewed in depth, using a detailed checklist by the first author. A total of 1239 respondents 634 women and 605 men, were interviewed, only 44 women (7%) claimed that they had earlier participated in leprosy work, about 92% of the women felt that they had the potential to take part in leprosy work, and 70% showed willingness to participate. Factors that would encourage and facilitate more women to participate in leprosy work, included financial support (32.8%), convincing the family to grant permission (88%), and delegating them to work in proximity to their residences (15%). Some women respondents (11.0%) felt that they would provide their services voluntarily for social good. Women suggested that work should be delegated as per their capabilities and skills, and they should be given proper orientation, training and guidance. Hardly 5% of ASHA's in the clusters examined participated in leprosy related work, which needs stringent steps to re-orient and encourage them to undertake leprosy related work. It is concluded that rural Indian women are keen to play an important role in the national leprosy eradication program, with minimal support from the government and nongovernmental agencies in a truly community-based approach. This will benefit vast numbers of leprosy affected women as well as others.