As a trainer

It was a great opportunity for me when I was selected as a research and monitoring officer to coordinate project "adolescent reproductive and sexual health (ARSH)" a consortium project implemented by corporate NGO TSRDS (Tata Steel Rural Development society) and funded jointly by CSR Tata Steel, Jamshedpur and overseas foundation " The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, USA. Initially, this project was piloted in 600 rural villages in the district of East Singhbhum. Out of 10 key interventions Menstruation, Physiology of Menstruation , hygiene and related myths and misconception was one of the intervention. I joined the project in the second phase when the implementerand funders were re-piloting the project incorporating carefullyall the learning's from pilot project and also listed outchallenges in descending order from most difficult issues or problems to least difficult one. The project was totally designed on awareness on ARSH through peer to peerapproach inconvergence with govt. stake holders at village level and teachers of rural schools. The peer leaders were jointly identified by our trained staff and local stake holders followingfixed criteria of selection. These selected peer leaders both boys and girls were given 5 days residential capacitybuilding training on ARSH. Then, after three months of field exposure 3- days leadership and advocacy training was given to strengthen communication and interpretation skill on issues related to ARSH problems among boys and girls for sustenanceof adopted behavioral change of health seeking behavior from govt. medical service centers. In the cover pictureshowing you the picture of peer leader (boy) taking session on menstruation and the picture of giving demo on sanitary napkin for hygienic practices has not been clicked. These peer leadersaffirmstheirsupport to theirown sisters and other girls whosoever seek help from himtalking boldly on menstruation. Thiswas a remarkable achievement ofthe project. Fewof these boys are now youth leaders.

How to Get Involved

awareness among both boys and girls