Developing Adolescents as Girl Icons through Collectivisation Process for Strengthening Health System, Hygiene Promotion and Gender Sensitivity in Society

Sadbhawana Gramin Vikas Sansthan, through continuous efforts towards developing health and leadership among adolescent girls, started the Girl Icon Programme in Sadar, Saughat and Harraiya Blocks of Basti district. Thirty adolescent groups have been formed to take action and play vigilance and supportive roles in strengthening the public health programmes being run by the health system in their respective villages. More than strengthening the health system, they were further groomed and motivated to take care of their personal hygiene, self-defence and active presence during career counselling sessions. During monthly meetings, they were informed about immunisation, the importance of IFA and calcium intake, along with the role of deworming medicines in improving the prevailing anaemia situation. In this way, 523 girls were actively involved. Through 30 groups, SGVS initiated:

• A supportive role in bringing target beneficiaries to VHSND
• Ensuring vaccination and health check-ups of all beneficiaries according to the due list
• Personal hygiene, especially during the menstrual cycle
• Identifying leaders/active members and grooming their capacities through various issue-based capacity-building and counselling sessions

Stronger Youth Leads to a Healthy and Safe Society

• Reached 960 adolescents
• 30 adolescent groups were formed
• An active 21 adolescents were transformed into Girl Icons
• Four (4) sanitary pad vending machines and incinerators were established at Panchayat Bhavans for ensuring personal hygiene with dignity and, simultaneously, the safe disposal of used pads
• 182 adolescents were transformed into leadership roles

Strengthening the Health System as a Necessity and Right for Strong Impact on a Secure Life

• Strong presence of adolescents during Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Day (VHSND)
• Regular health check-ups and vaccination services have been streamlined; calcium and iron-folic acid intake and personal hygiene have increased
• Adolescents are emerging as entrepreneurs through career counselling sessions