Initial ‘Gram Jagrut Kishori’ Batch Tours Bharuch Govt Offices Under ‘Kishori Utkarsh Pahel’ Initiative

Adolescent girls in our society have immense potential to contribute to the social, economic and cultural development of the country. But due to limited scope and lack of information on various issues affecting their lives, especially in rural and tribal areas, adolescent girls face many social and health-related challenges. It is very important to prepare them to face any unintended problems in their life. All adolescent girls of Jhagadia Block were provided with quality training on primary education, health and hygiene, good nutrition, skill development, specific rights and various government schemes. Based on their performance, the girls were awarded the Title of “Adarsh Kishori”.

“Kishori Utkarsh Pahel” which is a District Administration , Bharuch initiative supported by DCM Shriram Foundation and implemented by Bharat Cares (SMEC Trust) with knowledge partner as UNICEF was launched with the support of District Education Office, District Panchayat, Department of Health, District Primary Education Office and ICDS Cell.

Firstly, under the CSR initiative, a baseline survey was conducted and through that 95 teachers were appointed as the ‘Master Trainers’ through qualitative training.

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The total beneficiaries reached in Jhagadia taluka through a door-to-door campaign of 4180 girls (a total of 3894 ‘school-going’ and 286 ‘out-of-school’ girls) under the initiative. During this training period by inviting external experts (from Health Branch, Election Branch, Social Security Department, UNICEF, and Gynaecologist), sessions on good nutrition, proper health and hygiene, right to vote, information on government schemes, information on child protection and welfare schemes etc. were conducted, which added to the Knowledge propagated among all the trainee girls.

After a total training period of 04 months, 122 “Gram Jagurt Kishorsi” were selected through micro and macro assessment, 01 per village of Jaghadia Taluka. Out of 122, 115 “Gram Jagurt Kishoris” are ‘School Going’ and 07 “Gram Jagurt Kishoris” are ‘non-school going’.

In the new academic session, a total of 60 girls out of all 122 girls who have been awarded the title of “Gram Jagurt Kishori” in the first phase under the “Kishori Utkarsh Pahel” were invited to Bharuch for an Exposure visit to the government offices of Education Department, Health Department, and Women and Child Development Department etc. on June 19, 2023.

1. Department of Women and Child Development: The 60 ‘Gram Jagurt Kishoris’ were aggregated at the Department of Women and Child Development, where they were provided with detailed knowledge about government schemes like, Vahli Dikri Yojana, Ganga Swarupa Economic Assistance Yojana, Sakhi One Stop Center, ‘Sangat Sakhi’ application by Women and Child Development Officer and other representatives. ‘Gram Jagurt Kishoris’ were guided through informative videos on the menstrual cycle, body changes and personal hygiene.

2. Department of Education: During the visit of 60 ‘Gram Jagurt Kishoris, to the office of the District Education Officer , in the presence of the District Education Officer, Education Inspector and other staff members, visited Department for Primary, Secondary, Grant-in-Aid Education. They imparted detailed knowledge regarding the Pension Department, Pay Department, Apprenticeship Work, Recruitment of teachers etc.

3. Department of Health: Lastly, the Chief District Health Officer of the Health Department, Bharuch presented a PPT related to the functioning of the National Health Adolescent Programme, Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics Establishment, Adolescent Health and Wellness Day, Ayushman Bharat, Abha Card, Nutrition, District-based PHC, CHC, UPHC, Sub- Centres, ASHA Workers, Peer Educators, ANM etc. It was followed by question-and-answer session. The “Gram Jagurt Kishoris” kept the whole session lively from start to end.

In the next week, the remaining 62 “Gram Jagurt Kishoris” in the second phase will visit all these government offices, where they would be given knowledge about Government Planning and Administrative matters.