Basanti Maharjan and Gita Devi, prominent union leaders representing Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) in Nepal, are gearing up to make their voices heard on the global stage. As they prepare to attend the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland, they aim to shed light on the long-standing struggle for rights and respect faced by Community Health Workers (CHWs) across Asia.
For over a decade, CHWs in Asia have been advocating for the acknowledgment of their essential work as legitimate employment. Despite delivering critical primary healthcare services to marginalized communities, many CHWs, predominantly women, are deprived of basic entitlements such as wages, social security, and job stability.
Basanti Maharjan, President of the Health Volunteers’ Organisation of Nepal (HEVON), has dedicated 15 years to serving as an FCHV. Her personal experience, including the loss of her sister due to preventable maternal health complications, drives her commitment to raising awareness and improving healthcare access in her community.
Similarly, Gita Devi Thing, President of the Nepal Health Volunteers Association (NEVA), has faced adversity in her advocacy journey. Despite facing eviction from her home after dedicating herself to community health work, Gita remains steadfast in her determination to address systemic shortcomings in healthcare infrastructure.
The stories of Basanti and Gita underscore broader systemic issues plaguing CHWs worldwide. Despite their indispensable role in national healthcare systems, CHWs are often marginalized and undervalued, facing economic hardship and inadequate working conditions.
Gita emphatically asserts, “We are not volunteers; we are workers.” She demands recognition, respect, and fair compensation for the invaluable services provided by CHWs to their communities.
The lack of recognition for CHWs stems from chronic underinvestment in public health systems and the gendered devaluation of care work. Basanti and Gita advocate for transformative change, urging governments and international organizations to prioritize investment in care infrastructure and uphold the dignity of CHWs.
As they prepare to address the 112th Session of the International Labour Conference, Basanti and Gita carry the aspirations of CHWs worldwide. Their mission resonates with the conference’s agenda on decent work in the care economy, highlighting the urgent need for systemic reforms to support CHWs.
Supported by Jeni Jain Thapa, Project Organizer from Public Services International (PSI) Nepal, Basanti and Gita are determined to amplify the voices of CHWs and catalyze meaningful change in global healthcare policy and practice.
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