Women’s Groups, NGOs and Safe Motherhood by Marge Berer
Reference WHO/FHE/MSM/92.3
A description of the different ways in which health care for women can be improved at grass roots level. It is full of case studies, practical examples of the problems faced and action taken by NGO groups around the world. It contains useful address lists for groups working to promote women’s health and resources. It is available, free of charge, in English only, from:
WHO, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland.
Female Genital Mutilation
A briefing pack containing background information, details of further reading, some case studies and contacts of organisations throughout Africa active in awareness raising of these issues. Available free of charge, in French and English, from WHO at the above address.
Obstetric Fistulae: a review of available information
Ref WHO/MSM/91.5
For surgeons and medical experts only! Useful information on the surgical treatment of fistulae worldwide. Free of charge in French and English from WHO at the above address.
Women Working Together for Personal, Economic and Community Development
A manual developed through years of practical experience in working with women. It begins with setting up groups, assessing women’s needs and ideas. Each section is divided into sessions which makes it easy to use. Over 40 participatory learning activities are included for use in the sessions. It looks at many subjects, including local resources, work options, basic record keeping, loans, legal rights and family relationships.
A very useful, practical and well presented book. It is available in English, French and Spanish from:
Women Ink, 777 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017, USA..
Safe Motherhood Programs: Options and Issues
A detailed account of safe motherhood programmes around the world. Useful for health planners and administrators. Free to developing countries, $10 elsewhere. Available in English, Spanish and French (shortly). Write to:
Ana Pagan, Center for Population and Family Health, 60 Haven Avenue, B-3, New York, NY10032, USA..
Safe Motherhood
This newsletter is published three times a year in English, French and Arabic. It looks at a variety of women’s health issues. It is sent free to people concerned with maternal health. Write to:
Safe Motherhood, WHO, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland.
Nigerian booklets
Several voluntary organisations in Nigeria would like to offer their services more widely. They are offering free copies of an informative booklet providing teaching about AIDS, called AIDS – Your Responsibility. Information about Nigerian newsletters is also available. Write to:
Health is Wealth Organisation, PO Box 296 Oraifite, Nnewi North, Anambra, Nigeria.
A further booklet, How to Stay Healthy by Dr Chirtaco, is available free of charge from Roseline N Igwilo at the same address, but with a different PO Box – Box 45.
Setting Up Community Health Programmes
A practical manual for use in developing countries
by Dr Ted Lankester
Ted is an active member of the Footsteps Committee with many years experience in North India. This is a new, revised Indian Edition of his book, originally published in the UK (available through TALC).
This practical manual covers all aspects of setting up and running community health programmes. Particular emphasis is given to the need to consult the local community long before the programme begins. The community should be centrally involved in the planning, running and monitoring of the programme rather than simply receiving injections, medicines and advice from health workers. Later chapters look at working with partners in the community, decision making, monitoring and evaluation. The management of immunisation, TB, AIDS, maternity, family planning, and malnutrition programmes is covered, with plenty of practical tips.
The book is written in simple English and well illustrated. We thoroughly recommend this book to anyone concerned with community health care.
It is available from:
CMAI, Plot 2 A-3 Local, Shopping Centre, Janakpur, New Delhi 110 058, India.
Agrodok Series
Several new booklets are now available in the useful Agrodok series…
No.12 Preservation of Fish and Meat
No.16 Agroforestry
No.14 Cattle Raising
No.15 Fish Farming
These booklets are always very practical and well illustrated. The cost of the booklets has risen to Dfl 12.50 (including postage). However, readers in Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific can ask for one or two of these booklets free of charge from:
CTA, BP380, 6700 AJ Wageningen, The Netherlands.
All Agrodok booklets are available in French and English. However, several previous booklets are now also available in Spanish (S) and Portuguese (P), including…
No.4 Poultry Production (S) (P)
No.7 Goat Keeping (P)
No.8 Compost (S)
No.9 Vegetable Gardens (S) (P)
No.31 Storage of Agricultural Products (S)
No.34 Hatching Eggs by Hens or Incubator (S)
IIRR Courses
The International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) offers regular short (2–4 week) courses on various development subjects including:
management, sustainable agriculture, development communication, community based health care, indigenous knowledge, home gardens and gender issues. These courses are designed for leaders and managers. They focus on practical and participatory approaches and draw on IIRR’s 35 years of development experience. Courses are offered at IIRR’s headquarters in the Philippines and in other countries on request. Full details are available from:
Mila Resma, Training Division – IIRR, Silang, Cavite 4118, Philippines.