Kishore Varta - A CHSJ initiative for adolescence Boys
Kishor Varta- meant for adolescent boys in particular to call a toll-free number and listen to information on issues of gender equality, body literacy, health, delaying age at marriage, etc
This information is provided to them in the form of audio stories. Four main characters have been created, who through their life stories and the various incidents in their life, make the callers solve their key problems and help move the story forward
The characters and stories are- Lakhanpur ka Raju, Dada ka Gussa, Haldi ki Jaldi and Dulhan ki Baatein.
Objectives
To increase knowledge and change attitudesof adolescents on gender discrimination and sexual reproductive health and rights issues with a focus on greater autonomy, mobility and education of adolescent girls within the gender equality framework.
To increase dialogue and accountability with the existing village service providers, especially ASHA, ANM, AWW, PRI members, group of parents
To increase digital skills of adolescent and community members and to improve access to information and decision making
Background to Pilot Phase
Mobile phones have reached almost each village in the country and are present in each home but do they help rural communities, solve social problems, help adolescents with their issues or be used for leadership development and aiding community networking?
Prior history of work in Rajasthan, work with adolescents and youth in Bundi district. Pilot phase carried out through the support of MANJARI Sansthan (Bundi). Bundi has distinct socio-cultural problems that require high focus ARSH interventions.
Issues of Child Marriage and traditions like Aata Saata and Naata Pratha are rampant in the region.
