Beenish Hanif, Muhammad Suleman Qazi.
Pride, respect, risk: gender-based barriers faced by LHWS in primary health care provision in Quetta, Pakistan.
Pak J Public Health Jan ;2(2):13-8.

Introduction: Balochistan\'s health system faces numerous challenges, of which the dearth of female care providers is an important one. Community based Lady Health Workers (LHWs) address women\'s reproductive health needs at grass root level by providing them with information, basic services and access to further care. They are an important means to access thinly spread population over the vast distances in Balochistan. However patriarchal traditions and hostile attitude, especially towards working women, pose certain barriers to the delivery of services by these female health workers. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted in Quetta to study the perceptions of LHWs on the gender based barriers faced in service provision. Results: The findings suggest that though cognizant and proud of their contribution to the community, the responses of LHWs point out towards their concerns regarding issues of job insecurity, risks to reputation and professional outlook in community, harassment, gender insensitivity of the male supervisors, domestic tensions due to job related responsibilities and absence of career planning. Conclusion: For a gender responsive health system improving LHWs\' status in the society is imperative. Affirmative measures are required for LHWs\' capacity development and career pathing, gender sensitive supportive supervision, and gender sensitization of the program management and the community in LHWs\' catchment areas. Greater efforts are required to ensure that LHWs\' productive contribution to well-being of their households and the development of Balochistan are recognized and enhanced.

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