Today, India is celebrating 77 years of Independence. In the past 77 years, a lot has changed. We are no longer ruled by the British, we are the world’s largest democracy and women are being empowered. Recently, in September 2023, the House also passed the Women’s Reservation Bill. However, things were not as simple as today. 77 years ago, a lot of things around women’s health were considered taboo. We interviewed three women from the same family to see how the conversation around women’s health has changed over time. Shanti Bhattacharya, 81, a retired scientist at Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited shares that when she was growing up, women rarely discussed their health openly. “It was considered a private matter. However, discussions which were once considered taboo are being talked about among the younger generations. Now more women are aware and active about their health. They also have better access to health treatments than earlier times,” she says. Shanti notes that the accessibility of birth control pills and improved cancer screenings and awareness around cancer are the biggest developments in women’s health now as compared to when she was growing up. What Were The Taboo Topics?Unsurprisingly, what was taboo 77 years back, is still taboo today. Whether it was the discourse around menstruation, menstrual health, menopause, pregnancy or anything around women’s health. However, with time, things have eased out a bit. “With the rise of information through social media, the conversations are now pretty open,” says Anna, Shanti’s 17-year-old granddaughter. “I get most of my information from the internet, social media, and school. It is much easier to access information about women’s health now compared to the older generations. Thanks to the internet,” she comments. Anna’s mother and Shanti’s daughter Ruchi, 45, earlier a teacher, now a homemaker says that not only conversations are now more open than her and her mother’s generation, but there is also a shift in the topics. “The focus is now on menopause, skin and hair problems, breast cancer, cervical cancer, cysts, thyroid, mental health and also in balancing family responsibilities and personal well-being,” she says. However, she also recognises that while it is easier to talk about menopause now, there are still a lot of challenges in discussing women’s sexual and mental health. Pregnancy, Planning, And Food HabitsThe biggest change that both Shanti and Ruchi noticed was the discourse around pregnancy, especially on cesarean delivery. “In our times there were very few planned pregnancies. Cesarean or c-section deliveries were only to be done in emergency cases. Women were expected to accept whatever happens to them naturally,” Shanti expresses. However, now, there are ways to map out your pregnancy and deliveries. Though it does not always go as planned, there are options to have your own birth plan. This is where you can choose what you want to include in your plan, where you want to induce labour, whether you was a vaginal delivery, etc. Even what women ate also changed. The focus on nutrients and calculated diet is now more prevalent, all three point out. “In our times food was only home-cooked. There was no processed food. During pregnancy, the focus was on basic nourishment like milk, eggs, and vegetables. Women were also encouraged to read religious texts during their pregnancy for good thoughts,” Shanti mentions. The Goods And The BadsWith the influx of information on social media, more are now aware of their bodies. Information is easily and quickly available. It has also helped Ruchi and Anna bond well. As, a lot of the time it is Anna who shares new information with her mother. Ruchi too appreciates this openness. Doctor’s visit too is now more accessible and Ruchi mentions it as another source where she gets health information. Ruchi also uses the internet for doctor’s consultations. However, there is still a long way to go. Women are now working, managing their health, and shifts in hormones, but are also expected to manage the household chores without much support. “This leads to an increased stress,” laments Ruchi. While Anna points out that with the rise of social media, “there is a pressure on young girls to look a certain way. There are unrealistic beauty standards. Girls are not eating food to look thin,” she said.