Background
The project was conceived by the Singhbhum Chapter of AID India and developed through working experience in the area of :

• Adult education

• Women self-help groups

• Micro enterprises for women

• Campaigning against destitution of women

• Action against construction of big dams consuming villages and countryside

The project was the outcome of a series of micro studies, which documented problems and issues. Though many youth had problems related to their menstrual cycles, reproductive track infections and through sexual exploitation, their problems were not attended. Also problems of childless couples were not addressed. Many of the women were made destitute by their male partners.
In remote villages, the problems of unwanted children led to crude abortion practices.  This also led to a high rate of maternal mortality (813 for 100000 deliveries) and morbidity.  Less than 20% of women had access to family planning services.
The problems of STD and reproductive track infections (RTIs) were identified in certain migrant family pockets e.g. construction and brick kiln workers.
Faith witches and ghosts and their power to cause disease led to witch killing in some areas.
The current health centre services are reaching less than 25% of the population.
The second phase of the project began this year, influenced by the considerable experience of the first phase.  Two important aspects have emerged.  The need to add the tribal Panchayats (of which there are 150)  to  stakeholder participation, of which 75 were admitted in 2003 and the remainder will join in 2004.  The need to accelerate the training processes i.e. to increase the number of higher level training staff through the training programme in order to facilitate a much larger programme of training involving expansion of peer education and establishing the right  approaches and practices on reproductive health.

Activities

The following key activities were carried out :

• Development of training programmes at all levels of training including the training of those who train others to talk to the community e.g. on immunisation and at the same time organise meetings. These may be employees of local authorities or voluntary workers who may or may not make contributions to the course costs.

• Information and technical support services to CBOs

• Promotion of Panchayat private service provider forums

• Promotion of networking and advocacy in the community for action on reproductive health programmes

Some of the important achievements accomplished by the project and grouped into areas of activity, were :

• Work with tribal Panchayats

• Developing stronger Community Organisations

• Developing partnerships to promote and  sustain reproductive health services

• Influencing Government improvements to obtain better public /  private services

Objectives

The project was aimed at the empowerment of CBOs on issues of reproductive health through raising their abilities and capacities to improve the reproductive health status of the tribal communities.
The project is intended to promote civil society action for right to reproductive health information and for ensuring improved governance and quality of services.
The core feature of the project is forging strong networking and alliances among the various key players  working on issues of sexual and reproductive health. The purpose is to increase the role of community in demanding their health rights and entitlements.
The project has been structured into two stages i.e. first is for 3 years to March 2002 and then for 2 years to March 2004 and has now come to an end. The work which the project undertook is now managed by the respective community organisations and other stakeholders of the project. AID is continuing to support the role as a resource and capacity building agency to pursue the continuation of the work