"Udaan" is the Adolescent groups formed for the boys and girls between the age group of 11-19 years. Such groups are formed across the project area of Boudh and Kantamal within 10 GPs of both the block. We have 157 Udaan groups has been formed with the objectives to make them aware about their health, education and development issues of the adolescents. Of which the orientation on life skill education and comprehensive sexual health is the prime focus. This will help them lead all the awareness activities in their concerned area.
Menstrual hygiene is an essential part in adolescent girls health. During the orientation to adolescent groups, focus is being given on sanitary napkins usage and disposal mechanism, and nutrition intake among the girls. The programme covers over 5500 girls through the community level and school level CSE programmes and they are encouraged to take iron folic tablets regularly. Interaction with the Udaan group members revealed that there is a substantial increase in the access to “Khusi” sanitary pads as compared to the pre-intervention period, and they have also adopted the safe disposal mechanisms, burying/ burning as against to dumping it in the waste bin or flushing in the toilet pan.
The Peer Module on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) consisting of 10 life skill elements describes how to inculcate in daily life practices for a healthy lifestyle. It has been used noticed that the peer module is being widely used by the Peer leaders in the community in motivating the adolescents for adopting the life skills in making a disciplined life.
Curriculum-based training on Comprehensive Sexuality Education is being imparted to the ME & High School teachers which includes managing relationships, food and nutrition, drug abuse, STI/RTI and HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy, Gender discrimination, sexual exploitation/harassment "my rights- my responsibility" etc.
300 teachers from 100 schools are being trained on the CSE module to further teach in the schools for the class6-10 students.
Adolescent Resource Centre aims to impart information related to the health and rights of adolescents. YCDA has established a resource centre on Adolescent Health and Development at Kantamal block. For Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, there is the provision of Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health Desk by YCDA under the National Health Mission (NHM) as the beneficiaries are unaware of the available services. Although there are provisions of "Kishori shakti yojana" and skill development training for the adolescent girls under the ICDS, of W&CD dept, their access and reach at the grassroots is uncertain practically. Hence, the main objective of the adolescent resource centre is information dissemination, service linkage and skill development of the adolescent boys and girls in the operational areas.
