The transition from childhood to adulthood is a delicate but powerful phase of every individual’s life that can alter one’s future forever. Vulnerable young minds are driven by curiosity and are prone to influences of all sorts. However, social taboos and myths often deprive them from seeking complete knowledge or correct mentorship and they fall prey to unhealthy behaviours (such as drug abuse, risky sexual practices, violence, etc), or psychological disorders such as depression & anxiety.
These issues call for a pressing need to focus on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) as a major health component. HLFPPT strongly believes that in order to protect the youth from risky behaviour, it is integral to empower them with life skills that shall help them in making informed decisions throughout life. Working under the guidelines laid by UNICEF, UNESCO and WHO, HLFPPT is focussed on imparting four basic skills: Reflective Skills, Social Skills, Communication Skills and Livelihood Skills, which broadly cover the Core Life Skill Strategies and Techniques.
Operational in: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar & Madhya Pradesh | Partner: National Health Mission
The National Health Mission has selected HLFPPT as a National Training Partner (NTP) under Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) for the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. The objective of partnership with the Government is to expand the reach of the programme to all adolescents in the country, with special focus on those who are socially and economically marginalised. Under the supervision of National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), HLFPPT has imparted District Level trainings in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, and comprehensive training (including District & Block Levels) in Madhya Pradesh including TOT, ASHAs, ANMs, MPWs, LHVs, etc. The trainings cover six strategic areas of: Nutrition, Sexual Reproductive Health, Non- communicable Diseases, Substance Misuse, Injuries & Violence and Mental Health.
Menstrual Health & Hygiene is a crucial aspect of reproductive healthcare which is integral for healthy growth of adolescent girls and preventing them from acquiring sexually transmitted infections. HLFPPT has partnered with UNICEF for improving Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Under this, HLFPPT has conducted review of 49 Sanitary Napkin Production Units (SNPUs) of Panchayat Udyog in UP, including Lab Testing of Sanitary Napkins produced by SNPUs. Considering safe disposal of sanitary napkins as an important influencer for improving menstrual hygiene, Team HLFPPT has also conducted an Assessment Study of the functioning of cemented incinerator built within the premises of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya in Mirzapur District (UP), has identified existing gaps and suggested model for low-cost incinerator.
Operational in: Kerala, Karnataka & Uttar Pradesh | Partner: Multiple Partners
In order to offer guided mentorship to India’s adolescents, HLFPPT provides Life Skills Education to the youth in schools & colleges with various partners. The sessions include imparting integral skills such as communication, decision-making, thinking, managing emotions, assertiveness, career guidance, self-esteem building, and relationship skills, as per WHO guidelines. In 2016, it has with partnered with Kerala Social Security Mission (KSSM) to provide training to students, who are beneficiaries of the state govt’s Snehapoorvam Scheme for orphans. Similarly, it has aligned with Shiv Nadar Foundation to conduct sessions on Life Skills & Adolescent Literacy with teenage students at Vidya Gyan School in Bulandshahr (UP).