When Kamala Luhar of Dasarathchand Municipality Ward No.2 in Baitadi became a mother for the first time, there was no one to tell her how to give the best care to her baby, and herself.

She was doing all the household chores, was not resting enough and not eating enough nutritious food during her pregnancy, she says. The same was the case when her second child was born.

But when she gave birth to her third child, things were different, she says. This time around, she was able to provide better care for her child. And her third child, a daughter who is now a year and a half, is healthy and happy, like Luhar.

This became possible only after she was introduced to a mothers’ group named Niglasaini Mothers’ Group in her village, she says. After she became a part of the group, she was taught how to take care of a newly born child and herself during pregnancy and after childbirth.

“Representatives of the mothers’ group teach us everything,” she says.

Like Luhar, many other women in the village have benefitted from the mothers’ group awareness programme. Kali Bhul, a resident of Dasarathchand Municipality Ward No.1, said, “Health workers from the District Health Office train us in basic health care and how to take care of a newborn. Their training has been of great help to us.”

Like Luhar and Bhul, many other women living in remote parts of the district have started to become aware of the health of their babies and their own.

Ishwori Bhatta, a female community health volunteer of Dasarathchand, said that visible changes are being seen in women because of health-related awareness programmes in the district.

“Twice a month, women gather to discuss health, sanitation, education and family planning. This has changed the outlook of the villagers,” Bhatta said. “Women have started including nutritious food such as green vegetables, fruits, legumes, and meat items in their meals to stay healthy.”