Diabetes Discrimination in India

Tue, 07 Jun 2011
Many women with diabetes are discriminated against in India due to a miistaken belief that a diabetic is unable to produce a child, has a short life and is not able to live a normal life.

India is often called "diabetes capital of the world" due to the condition increasing rapidly there and the population's predisposition to this condition. 2000 World Health Organisation figures estimated that there are 31.7 million diagnosed diabetics in India, with this figure anticipated to double by 2030.

Genetics play a huge part, as do sedentary lifestyles, obesity and a diet rich in processed foods as well as saturated fats.

While Type 2 diabetes happens as you age, Type 1 diabetes, juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes is usually diagnosed in children or young adults. This kind of diabetes affects ten per cent of India's 1.1 billion population and is of concern with regard to discrimination.

Results of a survey undertaken between 2004 to 2006 by the Delhi Diabetes Research Centre, highlighted that almost half of Type 1 diabetic married women were sent back to their parental homes after a year of marriage. Almost half of these women soon lost interest in looking after themselves and their condition as result of no financial assistance from their husbands.

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