Caste, Gender & Care: What No One Talks About

Intersectionality describes how overlapping identities—such as caste and gender—compound discrimination and impact health.

Women from lower castes often face both gendered and caste‑based stigma in clinical interactions.

Refer to intersectionalityGraphic to visualize these overlapping barriers.

Historical texts and practices have codified caste hierarchies that persist in modern institutions.

Gender norms have traditionally limited women’s autonomy over their bodies and healthcare decisions.

See historicalContextGraphic for a timeline of key events and policies.

• • Differential treatment: longer wait times, dismissive language, denial of pain relief.
• • Assumptions about literacy, hygiene, or compliance based on caste stereotypes.
• • Use biasChecklistGraphic during trainings to prompt recognition of these behaviors.

Personal narratives humanize systemic issues and foster empathy among caregivers and policymakers.

Collect stories with informed consent and respect for confidentiality.

Follow storytellingFrameworkGraphic to ensure ethical and impactful storytelling.

• • Design clinics with multilingual signage and caste‑neutral uniforms for staff.
• • Implement feedback loops where marginalized women can safely report concerns.
• • See inclusiveSpacesGraphic for design guidelines.

Engage local health committees and elected representatives on intersectional health equity.

Advocate for data disaggregation by caste and gender in health surveys.

Refer to advocacyPathwaysGraphic for strategic entry points in policy processes.

Collaborate with community‑led groups that have trust and reach among marginalized castes.

Co‑create programs that address both caste‑based exclusion and gendered barriers.

Consult communityPartnersGraphic for a map of active organizations.

• • Rights education modules on caste and gender nondiscrimination in healthcare.
• • Self‑advocacy workshops employing role‑plays and peer mentoring.
• • Download empowermentToolkitGraphic for exercises and templates.

Legal aid services with expertise in caste and gender rights.

NGO networks offering community health outreach and support groups.

See resourceDirectoryGraphic for contact details and web links.

• • Conduct a bias‑recognition workshop using biasChecklistGraphic with your team.
• • Collect three community stories following storytellingFrameworkGraphic guidelines.
• • Partner with one grassroots organization from communityPartnersGraphic.
• • Outline an advocacy action plan referencing advocacyPathwaysGraphic.