Empowerment of 400,000 Adolescent Girls in India

Pushpa lives in Bhaygaon, which is her natal village. In 2018, Pushpa regularly attended Life Skills Education classes conducted by Institute of Health Management, Pachod (IHMP).

When Pushpa was 16 years old her parents decided to marry her. She told them that she does not want to marry till she her 19^th birthday. She was in love with a boy living in her neighbourhood. She told her parents that if they insist on marrying her she will marry her boyfriend and nobody else. The boy belongs to same village so the parents agreed. Pushpa got married after completing 10 years of schooling. She lives in a joint family with in laws, and husband’s siblings.

In IHMP’s Life Skill Education, Pushpa had learnt about the adverse consequences of early pregnancy before 19 years of age and the possible risks for both mother and baby.

After getting married Pushpa told her husband that she wants to continue her education and does not want to become a mother until she turns at least 19 years old. Her husband shared Pushpa’s decision with his parents. They appreciated her straight forward opinion and agreed.

Pushpa had learnt about contraceptives during Life Skills Education. After marriage, she and her husband decided to use condoms to delay first pregnancy till her 20^th birthday.

Pushpa missed her periods after she was 20 years old. When a urine test report confirmed her pregnancy, she registered herself with IHMP’s nurse for antenatal care. During monthly household visits the ASHA and IHMP’s nurse gave her information about importance of care during pregnancy, diet, and complications that can occur during pregnancy.

The baby was in a breech position so when she went into labour, IHMP’s nurse advised to get admitted in a nearby city hospital. She had a cesarean section and a male baby, weighing 2.9 kilos, was born. Both mother and baby are doing well.

Following the advice of IHMP’s frontline workers, Pushpa planned her first pregnancy and took good care of herself during her pregnancy, as a result she gave birth to a healthy baby.

Over 200,000 thousand adolescent girls have benefitted from IHMP’s Life Skills Education and Sexual and Reproductive health services.