Could ASHAs bridge India’s abortion support gap? Chhattisgarh shows how

As a “Mitanin” in Dhamtari town in Chhattisgarh, Bhavika Dhruv has been working with women facing domestic violence for 12 years. Mitanin, or “friend” in Chhattisgarhi, is the name given to Accredited Social Health Activists or ASHA workers in the state.

One such woman Dhruv worked with was her 30-year-old client, M. At first, M did not open up to her, Dhruv said. When M was pregnant with her second child, about three years ago, Dhruv helped take her to the hospital for check ups and delivery, as Mitanins do. It was during these hospital visits that M started talking to her about her situation at home.

“During our hospital visits, M started telling me about her husband. He drinks a lot of alcohol, and beats her often. He does not allow her to step outside or take up a job. And he demands sex every day,” said Dhruv.

M was taking contraceptive pills secretly, but her life was chaotic. “Periods main bhi nahi chodta tha. (He wouldn’t let her be even during periods.) Or even after delivery of the child,” M told Dhruv.

In May 2024, M was pregnant again. Unstable relationships can drive contraceptive failure because of inconsistent use. She told Dhruv that she did not want…

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