Our Story
Our Vision :
The right treatment, at the right time
A future in which every woman is treated with respect and dignity during childbirth and has access to high quality, ethical, and timely maternity care.
Our Mission :
To Increase Access to High Quality, Respectful Maternity Care for 25 Million Women Annually by 2030.
Foundation Facts
90,000+
Digital Learners
1200+
In-Person Learners
20+
Partner Organisations
35+
Team Members
Our Story
“As a mother and more importantly, an Indian woman, I feel strongly about the widespread lack of respect and dignity in our maternal healthcare system. My personal experience, sheer dismay, and discontent kindled a desire to champion change and inspired Aastrika. I hope, through this initiative, we can help transform maternity care so that every woman has a positive birthing experience” – Dr. Janhavi Nilekani
Our Story
“I spent part of my pregnancy in the US, and the rest, including childbirth, in India. As an expecting mother, I was appalled at the quality of care that is considered ‘adequate’ and ‘acceptable’ in our country. My sheer dismay and frustration kindled a desire to champion change, to empower women. In India, we accept that the price of becoming a mother is either a cut to the uterus or a cut to the vagina. Dissatisfaction with this ‘new normal’ led me to do further research, and learn more about a process that leaves women disempowered, yet seems to rarely trigger complaints.
Our system is rampant with abuse, poor clinical quality, and disappointingly low aspirations. As a mother and more importantly, an Indian woman, I feel strongly about the widespread lack of respect and dignity in maternal care. My personal experience, and my overall discontent with the desensitised system, inspired Aastrika. I hope, through this initiative, we can help transform maternity care so that every woman has a positive birthing experience.”
Dr. Janhavi Nilekani
Timeline
2019
The organisation started with a 3 member team
2020
Aastrika Sphere was launched. Our first course was on Respectful Maternity Care, in collaboration with Fernandez Foundation
2021
First course accredited by Indian Nursing Council (INC) with Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) points was launched on Aastrika Sphere
2022
Aastrika Sphere’s in-person programmes were launched
The MOU with the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka was signed for the NPM program
2023
Training for the first batch of midwifery educators at the NMTI in Vanivilas hospital was started
Aastrika Foundation owes thanks to :
Rohini and Nandan Nilekani, for generous support over many years
For inspiring Aastrika Sphere
Did you know?
Through our research partnership with the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, we funded research on implementation of professional midwifery in India, including midwifery education, capacity-building initiatives, midwife-led care units, and acceptance of midwifery.
