Engage&Empower girls & boys for Girl Effect-India

Dear Donor,

Greetings from IDEA!

Our children are not safe, it’s sad but true. There are so many predators lurking around seemingly harmless but with a sinister motive of robbing a child’s innocence.  It is becoming harder and harder for parents and teachers to protect children all the time so it is important to educate the kids especially girls about the possible dangers they may fall prey to and to teach them to protect themselves. Keeping this in mind we conducted a life skill session on Child Abuse for 25 children in the age group of 12 to 15 years.

 Life Skill Session 1 – Preventing Child Abuse:

An expert child counselor conducted the session. She began with ice-breaker activities through which she could know more about the group. They were asked to list out what they think is dangerous according to them, they reported use of mobile while crossing the road, bursting crackers while still in hand and girls going out alone in the night. Then they were asked to list down incidents which have caused them anger, guilt, jealousy and embarrassment and with whom they share when they go through these negative feelings. They were told how to practically deal with these emotions. Then the counselor came to the most important part- Different types of touch like- a hand shake, pat on the back, touching the nose, shoulder or privates. Who can touch them and who can’t. What is good touch and bad touch. The children were told to be careful and observant about who touches them, when, where and how. They were told that as soon as they feel uncomfortable they should tell their parents or teachers but should never keep quiet and if at all something goes wrong they should immediately raise their voice without feeling embarrassed, scared or guilty because nobody has the right to touch them or talk to them if they don’t find it comfortable. Lastly a National child helpline no. open 24/7 was given to them so that they can call the experts if they want some more information, emotional guidance or when they or their friends are in trouble. This knowledge will empower the children to fight back predators in the future.

Life Skill Session 2 – Love and Friendship:

The session began with a discussion on behavioral changes adolescents go through.  The children reported disagreements with parents at home, frequent mood swings and peer pressure as the changes that they observe in themselves. The counselor then told them that all teens go through these emotions and changes and how they can deal with them without hurting their parents, friends or themselves.

They were explained that these emotional changes are also because of the physical and hormonal changes that their body is going through. One of these changes is the changing attitude of adolescents on friendship and love.  It is very easy to confuse the two but both relations are different and each relationship comes with different responsibilities which the people involved must keep in mind.

This was a conversation starter and we plan to have more sessions on these topics in the coming weeks. Thanks for contributing to this project, these discussions will sensitize them and enrich their minds.