An open forum on Postpartum Contraception was organised by ARTH on the occasion of World Contraception Day on 30th September 2024 & 16th October 2024 at the Iswal Training Center, Iswal and ARTH Health Center, Suawaton Ka Guda. The focus of the program was Postpartum Contraceptive Methods, aimed at understanding the perspectives of community women and key health representatives, while raising awareness on various contraceptive options.

The session was attended by around 30-40 participants, including ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, WardPanch, Sarpanch, Sathin (volunteer worker in Rajasthan focused on women’s empowerment and awareness), Midwife, postpartum women (who delivered within the last year), newlyweds, adolescent girls, senior women and Taruni Sakhi(Community Health Entrepreneurs).

The discussion touched upon topics such as Contraceptive knowledge & availability, Contraception choices & Community experiences, Sexual activity resumption, Preference for sterilisation, Issues with Copper T, Challenges with communication and Decision making, Contraception use with discreetion, Cultural hesitance among postpartum women.

Presence of ARTH Health Center Gynaecologists and their endorsement gave participants added assurance, significantly boosting their confidence. Through examples shared by participants, various aspects of contraceptive methods were discussed, including knowledge, availability, choice, cost, decision making capacity, challenges, and misconceptions. The event concluded with a question and answer session, providing participants with detailed information about contraceptive methods.