Rural women, children fight Covid in Odisha’s tribal districts

As frontline Covid-19 warriors like doctors and paramedics remain busy in fighting the pandemic in special hospitals, women leaders and members of child clubs in Odisha’s tribal — dominated Mayubhhanj and Keonjhar districts have been silently taking on the deadly disease by using new information technology tools.

These fighters have successfully contributed to the government’s efforts to contain the spread disease in the region. According to reports, 49 women — all leaders of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) — were trained by leading development agency, centre for youth and social development (CYSD) on how to use information, education and communication (IEC) tools to make local people aware about the pandemic.

The women leaders were joined by 4,562 children belonging to 178 child clubs (CCs) and 30 girls’ mentors. The women leaders and CC members assessed the situation on the ground and articulated strategies on how to educate the people about the disease.

Once the initial mapping exercise was complete, the enthusiastic warriors embarked upon the mission — a massive awareness campaign to stop the rise of Covid-19. They created awareness among their peers, families and community members and relatives on how to combat coronavirus using social media platform like facebook, WhatsApp and twitter.

These women SHG leaders have so far reached 4,064 women SHG members in 64 villages. In just a few days, the silent warriors were able to awaken the people about the raging pandemic in 156 interior tribal villages under 33 gram panchayats (GPs) of Thakurmunda, Jashipur, Kaptipada and Saharapada blocks in Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts.

“It is quite satisfying to be a part of the fight against Covid-19 by using mobile phones, digital media and internet sathi programme with the support of the Tata trust and google,” said Damayanti Mohanta, a women SHG leader of Thakurmunda block, in Mayurbhanj district.