As we stand at the threshold of the new reproductive health approach, there is growing recognition that a woman's health and that of her unborn foetus has a profound impact on the overall health status of the community.

In many developing countries, women's activities, traditionally confined to the household, have changed over time.

From time to time, Indian demographers have advocated that the age at marriage of girls be raised so as to reduce the reproductive span of women, and thereby, bring down the birth rate.

Breast-feeding is the proud privilege of every mother. It gives her an opportunity to fondle her little one with tender care and looks forward to his growth and development with high expectations.

The currently available methods of fertility regulation do not meet all the varied needs of women and men in differing geographical, cultural and religious settings and at different times of their reproductive lives.

The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo in 1994 reiterated the need for appropriate health care services that will enable women to go safely through pregnancy and childbirth and produce a healthy infant.

Muslims form the largest minority group in India. According to the 1991 census, they constitute about 12 per cent of the country's population. In absolute terms, Muslims in India total 101.6 millions which gives India the distinction of having the second largest Muslim population in the world.

Most family planning and reproductive health researches and services in India, as elsewhere, target women, that too ever married women in reproductive ages. Consequently, these services as well as researches have not addressed a large number of issues concerning men.

INDIA IS A VAST country with a population of more than 844 million. The tribal populations of India constitute a significant proportion of India's total population. There are more than 400 tribal population groups constituting

The Shodhini experience has been able to draw upon a range of disciplines in an attempt to develop a woman-centered health care alternative.