Varun Kumar
'Adolescents and young people have moved forward to educate not only their peers but also their family, society and younger siblings on various development issues particularly reproductive and sexual health. These actions have taken place in the extremely poor state of Bihar, India. In Bihar, women and girls have less access to information, education and communication then in most states in India. The program focuses on the inclusion of adolescent and young women in decision making on their sexual and reproductive health and socio-political and economic affairs. Leadership Fellow Varun Kumar led the program while working in an organization called CENCORED. The adolescents' program has been recognized as a best practice in women’s empowerment by the World Bank and state government, andis paraphrased as ‘Civil Society in making..’
The following three videos were developed by Leadership Fellows under the mini grant project ''To Digitally Document the best practices in Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH) in Bihar and Jharkhand.'' Mr. Varun Kumar and Mr. Vishwamohan Prasad, Leadership Fellows, were working with an organization ''CENCORED'' at the time of receiving the LDM mini grant, and they documented three strategies undertaken by the organization and Leadership Fellows to promote ARSH in the states.
Kishori Panchayat: This video describes the plight of young girls and low status of women in Bihar and describes about the intervention of creating platforms for young girls, by young girls called “Kishori Panchayat” to provide empowerment through access to education, participation in community development, confidence building and decision making.
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Nav Dampatti Swagat Smaroh (NDSS): This video captures an innovative edutainment program being implement in Bihar to promote ARSH among the newly wed couples. A very cultural specific, fun filled, educational program for new weds to promote communication among couples and make decision about pregnancy, family planning and future life.
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Daughter In Law and Mother In Lay (DILMIL) : This video captures yet another unique intervention where a platform is provided for Daughter In Law and Mother In Law (who has a great role in decisions related to family planning) for communication, and discussion about future, healthy life for the couple and the future generations.
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