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The Power of Names and Identity

My full name, Ting Jasmine Thaingamliu Maringmei, remains largely unofficial. For years, I avoided it—and still do—due to pronunciation difficulties, the convenience of an English name, and, most importantly, the experience of navigating environments where tribal names were uncommon.

As a Rongmei Naga from Manipur, India, my identity is defined by a rich cultural heritage, often perceived through the lens of exoticism, the narrative of a separate Naga state, and the challenges of being a minority in larger educational and professional spaces.

But those challenges are also integral to my success. My journey within policy research and health equity is inextricably linked to my personal history and cultural background and the realization of the gaps that persist in the narratives of Indigenous and marginalized communities. My experience is not merely a personal anecdote but a powerful testament to the necessity of inclusion, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of equity within both health and policy spheres.

Within the Indian context, while progress has been made, substantial work remains. The lack of adequate representation, contextual data, and formalized support exacerbates health inequities across various dimensions like health profiles, disease burdens, healthcare utilization, and infrastructure, which hinders community engagement. This underscores the urgent need for systemic change and inclusive practices, as the absence of these elements inevitably widens existing disparities.

Leadership, particularly in research and policy, is often driven by personal encounters of limitations. My father, a medical doctor, and my mother, his unwavering support, played a pivotal role in shaping my understanding of service and leadership. My father dedicated himself to serving remote communities with limited healthcare access, often conducting free medical camps. His work exposed me to the profound impact of healthcare and policy decisions on people’s lives. While medicine was not my calling, the drive to create systemic change through research and policy became an unwavering conviction.

After earning a Master’s degree, I took a year to reflect on what I truly wanted. A conversation with a senior mentor encouraged me to apply for an MPhil in Planning and Development. Studying there opened my eyes to interdisciplinary research, urban policies, and how policies are designed to influence generations. More importantly, I realized the gaps in knowledge and representation of Indigenous and tribal communities in national discourse. There was limited data and no context-driven policies that genuinely captured our lived realities. This realization drove me to pursue research as an academic endeavor and an advocacy tool for my people.

Representation in Policy Research

Despite India’s diversity, many Indigenous communities remain underrepresented in policy and research. My professional experience working with government ministries, academic institutions, and civil society organizations reinforced this. There was a pressing need for data-driven policies that addressed the unique challenges faced by marginalized communities. In my current role at IAVI, my team and I focus on evidence-based research in maternal and child health issues, particularly examining factors that led to a decline in stunting among children under 5 and anemia, emphasizing subnational best practices.

One of the most significant lessons I have learned is that solutions do not always have to be imported. Within India, different states and communities have pioneered models that can be adapted and scaled. While working on policy research, I recognized the importance of contextualized intervention strategies tailored to different populations’ specific sociocultural and economic realities. However, the persistent challenge remains: certain regions, particularly those with Indigenous populations, are often left out due to limited sample sizes or accessibility concerns.

The Role of Evidence-Based Advocacy

Policy change requires more than just identifying gaps—it demands solutions backed by evidence-based research and data, which is one of the biggest hurdles in the drive to seek immediate results. Still, health and social outcomes take years, sometimes decades, to manifest. This is why sustained advocacy, supported by rigorous evidence-based findings, is essential.

In my work, I advocate for utilizing local best practices as models for policy interventions. Instead of looking outward for solutions, we need to strengthen and scale what is already working within our own states and communities. This not only ensures cultural relevance but also empowers local actors who have been implementing effective strategies with limited resources and sustainability of positive outcomes.

The Importance of Safe Spaces and Mentorship

Leadership is often framed as an individual pursuit, but it is, in fact, deeply communal. As someone navigating a field where few people look like me, I have often longed for a community that understands my experiences. Joining the Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity program was a turning point. It provided me with a global perspective on health inequities and a network of like-minded individuals committed to the journey of making a difference and a sense of belonging. More importantly, it gave me the courage to write and speak about the issues that matter to my community and beyond.

Moreover, mentorship is a crucial element in leadership. I have benefited from mentors who saw potential in me before I could see it in myself. Now, I hope to do the same for others—especially young researchers from Indigenous and tribal backgrounds who may not see many role models in this space. This means pushing for more inclusive data collection, advocating for region-specific health strategies, and fostering dialogue between policymakers and communities.

Leadership is not just about holding positions of power—it is about creating spaces where others can thrive. To those who may feel unseen or unheard, know this—your story matters. Your work matters. And together, through persistence and collective effort, we can shape a more just and equitable world.

Author

Jasmine Maringmei is a tribal youth belonging to the Rongmei Naga community from Manipur, Northeast India. She is a Policy Analyst specializing in health systems and policy research. Beyond her professional work, Jasmine is actively involved in youth networks focused on education, peacebuilding, and protection. She is also the 2024 Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity. Jasmine holds an MPhil degree in Planning and Development from Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, and a Master of Sociology from Delhi School of Economics.

Declaration of interests

I have read and understood the BMJ Group policy on declaration of interests and declare the following interests: none.