Women in Assam are in the frontline in the war against coronavirus.
Be it Accredited Social Health Activists (Asha), Nurses, Anganwadi workers to Self Help Groups (SHGs), lakhs of women across the 33 districts are directly involved in the fight against COVID-19 and working as footsoldiers in this battle.
Manpreet Kaur, 21 Henrita Boro, 21 and Khyati Rupa Sharma, 22 who have been pursuing para-medical courses in Bangalore, Punjab and Guwahati respectively.
They are from Tangla town of Udalguri district and are busy conducting awareness drive against the coronavirus pandemic and are helping the village people in preparing cloth masks and sanitizers at home.
“We are school friends and are pursuing para-medical courses as we have a common thing – serving the people, so we thought sensitizing the people is the right way to help people fight the pandemic,” Manpreet Kaur told Northeast Now.
“Over three lakh women are leading fight against COVID-19 in Assam, and helping the State to combat against the dreaded virus,” Assam State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Bhabesh Kalita said.
Over 30,000 SHGs, 1.20 lakh surveillance workers that is, Anganwadi workers, helpers, 44,000 Asha workers of the State are involved in the fight against novel coronavirus.
It is a matter of great pride for Assam that a major section of women is involved as frontline workers in battle against the pandemic,” Kalita added.
According to the sources in the government, over 30,000 SHGs in the State are working to make masks and conducting awareness camps in different parts of the State.
“The Asha workers are doing commendable jobs by going around the villages across every block and creating awareness about Covid 19,” a health official said.
“They are taking stock of the houses where suspected cases are in quarantine and creating awareness among their neighbours asking them to stay away from the marked house,” the health official added.