Submission ID 118467
| Issue/Objective | Issue: Adolescence is a transformative phase marked by significant physical, emotional, and social changes. In rural India, adolescents face numerous challenges, including high child marriage rates, school dropouts, substance abuse, and misconceptions about puberty and reproductive health. Limited access to nutrition education and youth leadership opportunities exacerbates these issues. Peer-led interventions, leveraging trained youth leaders, offer a promising approach to addressing these challenges and fostering positive change in rural communities by empowering adolescents with critical knowledge and skills. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a peer-led intervention in enhancing health literacy, menstrual hygiene practices, and gender equity, as well as promoting adolescent empowerment in rural West Bengal, communities. |
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| Methodology/Approach | A mixed-methods study was conducted across 37 villages (two Gram Panchayats) engaging 7,000 adolescents. Trained youth leaders (Yuva Sathi, n=119) delivered peer-to-peer sessions on ARSH, menstrual hygiene, and life skills. Community stakeholders were integrated via workshops, while youth-led campaigns addressed taboos (e.g., menstruation, child marriage). Pre/post assessments measured knowledge and behavioral shifts. |
| Results | • Health Literacy: 67% improvement in puberty knowledge, 58% in menstruation/nightfall understanding. • Social Outcomes: 30 child marriages prevented; 20 adolescents reintegrated into education. • Economic Empowerment: 127 youth linked to employment; 10+ overcame substance addiction. • Environmental Impact: 80+ Matka (clay) pots installed for pad disposal, adopted by 1,000+ women. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | The peer-led intervention demonstrates the potential for adolescent-centric programs to drive meaningful change in rural communities. By empowering youth as educators and change agents, the program effectively shifted knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. The integration of local stakeholders and community engagement strategies ensured sustainability and cultural relevance. Conclusion: This model offers a scalable approach to addressing complex social and health challenges in resource-limited settings. By leveraging peer leadership and community engagement, similar interventions can be adapted globally to empower adolescents and foster healthier, more informed communities. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Kaliprasad Pappu Youthinvest Foundation Sudipta Mondal Youthinvest Foundation |
