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Table 3 Increased focus on ASHA empowerment: how can the health system improve ASHA wellbeing?

From: How are gender inequalities facing India’s one million ASHAs being addressed? Policy origins and adaptations for the world’s largest all-female community health worker programme

Policy decision

Rationale

Increased economic incentives [65]

Meet ASHA need for income; encourage uptake of banking services among ASHAs (KI_01)

Social security measures [65,66,67]

Provide support to ASHA and her family in the form of life and accident insurance and pension [66, 67]

Residential training workshops [67]

Immersive learning, develop empowering knowledge and skills, build solidarity among ASHAs (KI_01)

ASHA as member secretary of village health committee [67]

ASHA moves beyond all-female, maternal health sphere, gains community importance as joint signatory to access the village untied fund of Rs. 10 000 (KI_07)

Government scholarships for higher education [65]

Provide career progression opportunities to meet rising ASHA aspirations (KI_01, KI_07)

Health facilities to provide rest accommodation [67]

Increase ASHA safety and comfort when escorting women to facilities (KI_01) [67]