By Swarna Mahlikar | Program Manager, It's My Body
Update for Global Giving
March 2019 – May 2019
It’s My Body: Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Adolescent Girls through Sports
A community-based program led by CREA and co-implemented with 12 partner CBOs* in Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.
Pooja Kumari (name changed) joined IMB in 2015, she was not enrolled as a regular learner because of her age but her curiosity to know what the IMB girls were learning and about the program made her attend sessions in her village.
“I joined IMB because I wanted to come out of the depression which I was going through at that time. I had seen girls of my village meeting to attend sessions and for playing football. I was curious to know what they talk about. I spoke to the trainers and they allowed me to attend sessions. I thought that by attending IMB sessions I would distract myself from thinking about my past. I felt respected there. I started feeling happy. I started liking going there because the sessions were about things which nobody told us. There was discussion about body, shame and stigma, gender norms. I could relate all those discussions with my life. During sessions I loved sharing my experiences and knowing about my body.” – Says Pooja
IMB program played an important role in Pooja’s life especially when she was going through a difficult phase in her life. As a participant she learnt about issues of Gender, Bodily Autonomy, Human Rights, Choice, Consent, Decision Making and Sports. Sessions helped her to break the stereotypes, misconceptions and stigma which helped her re-gaining her self-confidence and self-esteem. She became vocal and started putting forward her opinion without hesitation. As a learner she actively participated in classroom activities, various training and events organized by CREA and the partner organization. In 2016, she started working as a trainer for IMB programme with the objective to share her knowledge and perspective with other girls.
As she was young, she took some time to establish herself in the community but, she did not give up. She continued going with other trainers and learning from them.
“Girls used to think that I was also a learner but, more than the girls it was their parents with whom I had to really engage to get their recognition. Girls used to fear from me initially as I used to keep quite. They did not know that I was nervous. This started changing as I learnt skills and started engaging with the girls. Now, they are very comfortable talking to me and sharing their experiences with me. I am happy that they approach me in case of any emergency or help or for asking a question without any fear.” – Says Pooja
Pooja has emerged as a role model in her community. She is very committed to the IMB work and wants to help girls to gain knowledge and becoming self-confident and independent. Not just the IMB girls but other girls and their parents know her and approach her in case of any help or information. Her journey is inspiring other girls in her community and she is playing a crucial role in building capacities and knowledge of other girls.
* Names of partners CBOs:
Bihar:
Jharkhand:
Uttar Pradesh:
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