India is the country with the largest teen population in the world: 243 million boys and girls. According to UNICEF’s Report on the World's Children 2011, this figure makes up 20% of all teenagers in the world. For a nation undergoing clear economic growth, these data would be encouraging, were it not for the fact that India also has one of the lowest standards of living for this population sector both in the health and education realms - 56% of girls between 11 and 19 and 30% of boys in the same age group suffer from anemia, 47% are malnourished and almost 40% do not attend school.
It is obvious that, in India, actions directed to this population group are particularly necessary and urgent. Through the project Community Development in Hadapsar, Asha-Kiran has the opportunity to reach 70 teens of both sexes directly. The Teenage Education program was dreamed up for them - a series of sessions led by Deepti, our Social Worker, with the aim of giving this group of boys and girls the necessary tools to appraise their circumstances (within their community and in society at large) and to have an effect on them by modifying them when they impinge upon their basic needs and their physical and moral integrity.
Teens in India have to deal with problems such as malnutrition and anemia, teen pregnancy (and all the complications associated with it such as increased maternal and infant mortality), sexually transmitted diseases including HIV, drug abuse , dropping out of school, illiteracy, depression, suicide, physical battering and sexual violence. Therefore, for the eight sessions scheduled for 2011-2012, Asha-Kiran chose to focus on the most pressing issues one by one. First, we talked together (boys and girls sharing their points of view) issues related to health, hygiene and nutrition.
Although the project Community Development in Hadapsar does not provide health and food services directly, it focused on best practices for home nutrition and the steps to take in order to access curative and preventive care at public health clinics. In addition, we conducted workshops on healthy habits and environmental hygiene to prevent diseases. Unlike the health education activities aimed at the youngest members of the community, in the sessions with teens we emphasized the responsibility that comes with maturity and the need to consider how certain behaviors and habits that can be changed by the teens themselves (such as what foods to eat, proper grooming or how to care for the community environment) can have a positive impact on the lifestyle of individuals, families and the community.
To address more intimate issues, we worked with girls and boys separately. It is almost impossible to discuss issues related to the physical, emotional and psychological changes of adolescence in a mixed group; to the shyness and complexes proper of this age must be added that "being a woman in India" entails a latent inferiority complex that hampers peer-to-peer interaction in a mixed-genders group.
In these separate groups, Deepti worked with dynamic creative thinking and detection of behavior patterns. The goal was for both girls and boys to pinpoint in their usual reactions, the misinformation, prejudices and fears that determine their usual behavior. Only by knowing and thinking about their own behavioral patterns and thought mechanisms, can they attempt to control their reactions when these may harm them or those around them. With this type of dynamics, we intend for them to spot peer or group pressure and to be able to respond to it with autonomy, particularly in relation to sexual practices or drug abuse. It must be kept in mind that in India, approximately 35% of new HIV infections occur in the 15 to 24 age group.
But, in Deepti’s own words, "we also raised awareness on gender equality in the mixed group because they can only learn to respect one another if they consider one another”. Teen marriage was also discussed in depth with the girls in an atmosphere of complete trust. In the country, 43% of girls are married before 18, and 13% of them become teenage mothers. Only by reminding them (girls and boys), again and again, that marriage, the onset of sexual intercourse and pregnancy are decisions that they themselves must take, will they begin to have the necessary courage to fight for their autonomy within their family and their community.
"We will not notice a change overnight after these sessions, but at least we are sure that the thought processes of these boys and girls are beginning to change because they have had an opportunity – that does not exist in their immediate surroundings – to start thinking for themselves. They were able to discuss and share their experiences, fears and expectations. Now we have to accompany them and address individual concerns and insecurities that will surely arise from their new outlook and the way they regard themselves, brought about by the Adolescent Education program. Gradually, they will begin to make new decisions and we will be there to support them."
