By Rajyashree Datta | Project Leader
Since Coochbehar is close to the border and vulnerable to trafficking, it was felt that we should continue focusing on Coochbehar and reach out to as many adolescents as possible.
Coochbehar is a city and municipality in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the headquarters of Cooch Behar district and is in the foothills of Eastern Himalayas. Cooch behar district has 549.45 Km long Indo-Bangladesh border of which more than 300 Km is fenced. Rest is open and at many places of open Indo-Bangladesh Border is riverine. Border crimes such as smuggling, infiltration, human trafficking and cattle smuggling is rampant in some portions of the riverine border.
The Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) sessions using Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) conducted by three facilitators in Govt. schools had been highly appreciated by the adolescent students & Teachers alike. In fact, there was a request from the Government authorities to conduct SRHR in more rural schools of Cooch Behar as there had been a substantial decrease in the number of school drop outs and an increase in the confidence level of adolescent girls. An internal decision was taken by our organization to focus in Coochbehar district this Financial Year, ending on 31st March 2019. Sessions for the adolescent girls had been conducted in Govt. schools of Bhavalmore and Rail Gumti area of Coochbehar with total number of participants being 62. Apart from increasing awareness on the risks of falling prey to trafficking, they were made aware of the risks of early marriage, unprotected sex, HIV, condom usage and their overall safety and well being. The sessions helped many youngsters to overcome their inhibitions and ignorance around the topics of sexuality.
Particular mention of a young teenaged girl named Putul (name changed), who was extremely withdrawn and aggressive at the start of the session, refusing to communicate with anyone. A senior facilitator took her in confidence and shared her own personal story with her. By the end of the fourth day of the program, there was a noticible change in the youngster’s behaviour. She started connecting with the rest, shared peer bonding and was far more at peace with herself.
In the next quarter, SRHR programs will be conducted in various Govt. schools in and around West Bengal, especially areas prone to trafficking.
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