During a recent HDLP field visit to Mawbeh village in Laitkroh Block, teams observed zero birth spacing across all eight households engaged. In each case, children were born in quick succession, with little time between pregnancies.
While this highlights a critical gap in reproductive health awareness, it also presents a clear opportunity for targeted intervention. Most families expressed willingness to learn more about family planning, signalling a strong foundation for future engagement.
The findings underscore the need to strengthen birth spacing education, improve access to counselling, and ensure availability of contraceptives at the community level. Planned follow-up activities will include focused awareness sessions through Anganwadi Centres and local health workers.
With the right support, Mawbeh can become a model for how timely awareness and respectful outreach can improve maternal health, child development, and family wellbeing across rural Meghalaya.