Access To Healthcare for Women in India: Legal and Social Barriers

Women as a class has been from time immemorial accorded unfair treatment in all spheres of life, for example, in matrimonial relationship, unfair treatment at workplace and other forms of competitive forums. In the contemporary world health facility, particularly in India, has been a matter of slugfest among various stakeholders at one hand and government at the other hand. Right to health is recognized under the domain of fundamental rights in India by virtue of various judgments of Supreme Court, still citizens of India, especially women, are facing health crisis while accessing health facilities either in state owned hospitals or private ones. This health crisis is gaining much importance, while the debate for legalizing abortion has garnered momentous support from throughout the world after the reverse step taken by the Supreme Court of America in the Dobbs case. It must be kept in mind that the 21st century is often called a century of development but it will be futile exercise if any individual is unable to get access to primary health facilities which is an essential concomitant right to life. In essence development will take place only when such an atmosphere is created where everyone could access health facilities without any restrictions and discrimination in treatment on the basis of sex. Thus, while making any announcement regarding any health policy i.e. Ayushman Bharat accessible to the public it must be borne in mind that it percolates its reach to the person standing at the last mile, without any substantive hindrance and procedural mischief. If women face any unusual barriers in accessing health care facilities, it would ultimately lead to violations of human rights as well as fundamental rights available to them.