IU Video Pulls Up Corrupt Health Workers

Sunita, our CC in Rajasthan enables women to get medication they are entitled to.

Anganwadi centers aim at ensuring that the most vulnerable sections of Indian society, all over the country, get access to basic medicines. Thus, Anganwadi workers are in charge of distributing medicines and vaccinations to pregnant women, young mothers, and infants under the age of 6 years old.

Unfortunately this ambitious scheme is often hindered by the lack of monitoring and the corruption of the workers. Cases of workers keeping the medicines or not distributing the vaccination cards regularly occur.
This was the situation in Karauli district, ward n.7, before Sunita Kasera, our Community Correspondent in Rajasthan shot a video on the issue. In February 2011, shocked by the lot of women in Karauli, who were not receiving any of the provisions they are entitled to, Sunita decided to report their stories.  Despite local pressure, the women were bold enough to talk on camera, with the hope that Sunita would help them see some improvement in their lives.

Sunita Kasera
I live in Karauli, Rajasthan with my husband and children. I was in the process of completing my Master’s degree when I got married. My father promised me that I could continue my studies after marriage, but my in-laws didn’t allow it. So in the beginning I was a housewife confined to four walls. But my husband is very supportive and as our family grew, I needed to earn so I started working for an NGO dealing with empowerment of women, water harvesting and informing people about public schemes available. I’ve always had a lot of interest in politics and development, and when I heard about Video Volunteers I decided to apply. Since I started making videos, I have become well known in my locality. I talk to a lot of people from all backgrounds, people approach me with problems and this makes me feel good, like I’m doing something. I love meeting people and researching stories. I am now in contact with several government officials, and I was the first women to be invited to join the Press Committee and it makes me feel proud.

Sunita Kasera has produced 35 stories for us.