The health ministry has taken a few mature steps forward by launching the Saathiya scheme to help adolescents with their anxieties, bust myths and misconceptions, and have put a helpline in place for them.
The resource material prepared by the Health Ministry addresses adolescent issues ranging from gender discrimination, attraction, HIV and even abortion. It will be imparted to young children by ‘peer educators’ or ‘saathiyas’ who will act as catalysts “for generating demand for the adolescent health services and imparting age appropriate knowledge on key adolescent health issues to their peer groups,” says a government press release.
The material prepared by the government tells adolescents that it is natural for children to “feel attraction” for other children including those of the same gender, says a report in The Indian Express.
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It adds that the material says that the most important basis for relationships are consent and respect. “They can feel attraction for a friend or any individual of the same or opposite sex. It is normal to have special feelings for someone. It is important for adolescents to understand that such relationships are based on mutual consent, trust, transparency and respect. It is alright to talk about such feelings to the person for whom you have them but always in a respectful manner… Boys should understand that when a girl says ‘no’ it means no,” says the material which is being prepared in Hindi and given to states as part of the peer-education plan.
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The material, which has been prepared in association with the United Nations Population Fund, also addresses gender stereotypes. It says that it is okay for boys to cry and dissuades the use of ‘sissy’ or ‘tomboy’ to address children. The material reportedly says that it is also fine for boys to like activities such as cooking or designing and that taking up a role associated with the other gender does not take away the fact that he is male.
There is also a reported section which contains advice on smoking and drinking, their long-term effects, and dealing with problems associated with them. In addition, the material is also said to address STDs and HIV, listing masturbation as the best way to practice “safe sex”. Information on abortion is also said to be available, with material on parental consent for abortion if the child is below 18 years of age.
The resource kit prepared for the peer-educator includes an Activity Book, a Bhranti-Kranti Game, a Question-Answer Book and a peer educator diary. There is also a mobile application which acts as a resource for adolescents and a helpline number (1800-233-1250) where they can get in touch with e-counsellors.
The kit is the government’s bid to reach out to the 26 crore adolescents across the country and they have enlisted the services of 1.65 lakh peer educators for it.
