BEYOND BIRTH EXPLORING THE TRANSFORMATIVE EFFECTS OF JANANI SURAKSHA YOJANA

Professional social work is a multidisciplinary field within the Interdisciplinary Studies faculty that draws upon various disciplines such as sociology, psychology, anthropology, history, and more. It encompasses a range of interventions and research methods to directly and indirectly address social issues. Social workers utilize tools and techniques to assist individuals, groups,
and communities in overcoming obstacles and improving their well-being. Considered a profession like any other, social work treats society as a laboratory for experimentation, aiming to enhance the lives of people. As its core, professional social work is driven by a set of values, principles, assumptions, and philosophy that form its knowledge base. The primary objective is to empower individuals to help themselves and enhance their well-being. Social workers follow a scientific approach, identifying needs and suggesting appropriate solutions. Professionalism in social work entails the ability to act appropriately in diverse situations, striving to create a better life for individuals and society as a whole. Compassion, integrity, respect, and
assistance are central to the profession.
Social workers engage in various fields, ranging from infant care to elderly support, grassroots communities to multinational companies. They employ well-defined field-based intervention techniques to support disadvantaged individuals and communities. The profession recognizes the significance of relationships in human life, emphasizing the establishment of purposeful and
close connections to foster a productive and supportive environment. The proposed study aims to analyze the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) program in terms of its beneficiaries and implementing agencies. While numerous programs have been implemented by central and state governments under welfare schemes, it is essential to evaluate them from the beneficiaries’ perspective. This study will benefit policymakers, researchers, academicians,
and institutions by providing insights into the views and opinions of beneficiaries.
The researcher, being a woman from a rural area, holds a keen interest in understanding the maternity journey of rural women. Each pregnancy and the experience of motherhood are unique, with the role of the expectant mother and family members being crucial. Maternal health is a fundamental pillar of integrated development and should be recognized as a public good. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure that every woman has access to quality
maternal healthcare, including pre and post-natal care, specialized care, and emergency referral services.
While JSY is beneficial in providing comprehensive healthcare for pregnant women, not all indicators of the program are fully implemented for its beneficiaries. For example, some respondents have not undergone all prenatal tests, and government vehicles for delivery were not provided. The role of ASHA workers is vital throughout the JSY process, from registration to
completion. Promoting nutrition and healthcare awareness can also help mitigate potential risks for mothers and children.
Efficient administration of healthcare services in rural areas significantly impacts the health status of beneficiaries. A lack of cooperation and participation from the community poses a significant barrier to maternal health. Limited awareness of available healthcare facilities at the community level exacerbates health problems, affecting vulnerable groups the most. Previous
research on Janani Suraksha Yojana mainly focused on medical aspects, prompting the need to address the program’s social aspects. Thus, this study was conducted in the rural areas of the Sangli district, aiming to propose an intervention model for the better implementation of the Janani Suraksha Yojana.