Stitching Mask” Initiative
Adolescent and women self help group members were encouraged and provided hand holding support to prepare masks. 150 girls and self-help group members prepared 8,000 masksof which 3,000 were distributed through adolescent group members, ASHAs &AWWs in 32 villages and the remaining 5,000 were distributed through 6 Gram Panchayats& Sarpanchs. 42 needy and economically disadvantaged girls have initiated mask preparation on commercial basis to support their families financially.
Virtual Discussions through Whatsapp Adolescent Groups
To keep the interactions and learning process with adolescent girls active despite the restrictions, 5 Whatsapp groups have been formed through which 250 adolescents are actively connected. Moderated by our field staff, communication and sharing continues in various forms such as poetry, story, experience sharing, essay, painting, audio and video. The groups are also utilized to share relevant information on COVID-19.
IEC material on COVID-19
Posters on topics such as boosting immunity at home during COVID-19 crisis, maintaining good health & hygiene for adolescent girls during COVID-19, mental health & well being during COVID-19 crisis and tobacco and COVID-19 have been developed to spread awareness among the adolescents. Also, 18 placards were developed with message on SRHR, life skills, girls education and child protection and wereshared on social media platforms.
Dedicated local helpline
The existing Blocklevel Government Help Line for children and adolescents became irregular due to lockdown. To ensure that the queries of adolescent girls or local communities continue to be addressed on time,project made provision for dedicated local helpline. Two phone numbers of senior female staff have been used for the same. By June 2020, the helpline had received and addressed more than 1000 calls.
Distribution of sanitary napkins
Due to the nationwide lockdown, the supply chains were disrupted. As a result, girls were being forced to revert to unhygienic measures like old cloth pieces during menstruation. 5,000 girls in remote and distant areaswere provided sanitary napkins for two months based on a community levelassessment.
Preparation of sanitary napkin
Based on the need and interest of girls,training in 2 batcheswere organised on the preparation of sanitary napkin for girls group members. Raw materials were supplied to trained girls as startup support to prepare sanitary napkin on commercial basis.
Hand washing facility
Facilitated arrangement of hand washing facility at the community level in 2 villages with support from concerned gram panchayat.
Information Dissemination Centres (IDCs)
Have been equipped with IEC materials on COVID-19, hygiene kits and provision of hand washing.