Strengthening Adolescent Girls with Sex Education

Kolkata Sanved, in collaboration with Nari-O-Shishu Kalyan Kendra (NOSKK) and Suprava Panchashila Mahila Uddyog Samity (SPMUS), conducted Dance Movement Therapy-based workshop, empowering 70 participants, including 27 care providers and 43 adolescent girls, across two locations in West Bengal. The workshops effectively addressed gender-based stereotypes, societal restrictions, and enhanced body awareness, confidence, and understanding of sexual and reproductive health, gender identity, and healthy relationships. 

The participants were adolescent girls, staff, mentors, and care-providers between the age bracket of 14 and 40 years. All the adolescent participants belong to the economically deprived community of remote rural locations of Bauria and its nearby areas in Howrah and the care-providers look after the field area of different remote places of Berhampore, Murshidabad. In both the cases the partner organizations assessed that the stakeholders of their communities often face various types of gender-based violence and are more prone to become prey due to lack of knowledge about basic rights, especially sexual and reproductive health and rights. As sexual and reproductive health is not only about physical wellbeing – it includes the rights to healthy and respectful relationships, health services that are inclusive, safe and appropriate, access to accurate information, effective and affordable methods of contraception and access to timely support.

      The participants got an exposure to Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) and were able to open themselves up more than before. They also felt more confident and comfortable with their body parts, after learning about their body parts and about the rights regarding their sexual reproductive health.

     The participants were also able to reduce inhibition, be aware of their bodies, be comfortable with them, dispel myths, and identify issues related to sexual reproductive health and rights.

     The sessions successfully increased participants' awareness of their bodies, helping them become more comfortable with themselves and reducing inhibitions. This empowerment facilitated open discussions on sensitive topics like sex, gender, and identity, fostering a more inclusive and understanding environment.

     Participants gained crucial knowledge about reproductive health, menstrual hygiene, and safe sex practices, along with the ability to identify gender stressors and unhealthy relationships. This awareness is expected to contribute to their long-term well-being and ability to navigate social challenges with greater confidence and security.

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