Background

Reproductive Health has made great scientific leaps and bounds over the past few decades. As the capacity for intervention has increased, unfortunately, there has not been a commensurate change in awareness of these issues, particularly amongst underserved communities in India. According to a recent study by Dr. MR Muthuramalingam and Dr. VR Muralidharan, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death in women in India. The screening rates among underserved communities in India is as low as 1.9%. This rate is even lower in rural areas. 

In India, people tend not to speak out on conversations surrounding sexual and reproductive health due to the stigma, misinformation, and unequal access to healthcare, especially for women and girls from underserved communities. Necessary knowledge on menstrual health, contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, and reproductive cancers is almost always absent in formal education and discussions within the family. As a result of this, many young girls grow up without the knowledge or confidence to make educated decisions about their bodies and well-being.

Cervical cancer epitomizes this gap. Even though it is one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer if detected early, it continues to be a leading cause of deaths in relation to cancer among women in India. The limited awareness, fear, financial limitations, and lack of access to screening services prevent women from seeking timely healthcare.

The Indian Reproductive Wellness Alliance (TIRWA) was established in September 2025 in response to these systemic barriers. TIRWA was created on the belief that reproductive health is a fundamental right and not a privilege, to tackle the convergence of awareness, access, and dignity in women's healthcare. By highlighting the lived experience of women and girls, the initiative seeks to swap silence and stigma with knowledge and supportive pathways.