For all of us at Arpan, the financial year 2021-2022 was unique, demanding, and exhilarating. And while we navigated these turbulent times with tech-enabled solutions, we also adopted a hybrid model. Despite being in a humanitarian crisis, we took opportunities to grow. We continued to make a difference through Personal Safety Education Programme (PSE), Training and Advocacy Programme, Digital Learning Programme, Public Engagement and Awareness and Mental Health Services.
Through a hybrid (online and offline) model, the PSE programme educated and empowered children from first to tenth grades to participate in their own safety. Along with external stakeholders like parents, caregivers and teachers, school partners were also engaged and trained to create a safe environment for children. Under this programme:
This year, Arpan's advocacy efforts focused on broadening its geographical reach to state and national levels. The major intention was to integrate the Personal Safety Education Programme in State and National Curriculums to ensure that children across the country receive consistent reiteration of key Personal Safety Messages.
- School Health & Wellness Program (SH&WP) under Ayushman Bharat - Under SH&WP, a joint initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Hon. Ministry of Education, Arpan is a member of the National Resource Group and has contributed to curriculum/modules. Arpan trained 521 teachers who in turn have trained 2.1 lakh Health & Wellness Ambassadors (HWA) across 28 states / UTs.
- Rashtriya Kishore Swasthya Karykram - Being a member of the National Resource Group under the RKSK program, we trained 1933 Adolescent Health Counsellors & Medical Officers from various states.
- Curriculum framework development work under National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 - Arpan was part of the State-Focus Group Discussions and contributed to position papers on state curriculum framework in 5 states (Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttrakhand) for National Educational Policy (NEP) 2020.
- Other than the National Curriculum Framework work at the state level, Arpan has successfully partnered with Chhattisgarh & Maharashtra state education departments.
- In Chhattisgarh, Arpan was part of state initiative namely "Baalika Sashaktikaran". Under this initiative, the module on girl empowerment was developed for state-wide implementation. Personal Safety Education module was also integrated into the School Safety program (Govt. of India initiative) while making the programme more comprehensive for statewide implementation.
- In the state of Maharashtra, Personal Safety Education was integrated into the State's Child Protection module for state wide rollout and implementation.
- In addition to this, Arpan trained over 18,700 professionals in Personal Safety Education programme. These trained participants were further provided hand-holding and support to conduct effective Personal Safety Education sessions with children and adults in their settings.
Arpan is one of the few organizations working at various levels to facilitate the healing journey of Child Sexual Abuse victims and their families. This year, Arpan provided psychotherapeutic services to children and adults from diverse settings.
Arpan's E-learn platform (www.arpanelearn.com) is our free-to-avail online platform with engaging & age-appropriate modules on Personal Safety for children. It also has content for parents, teachers & adult caregivers so that they can learn more about Child Sexual Abuse, recognize symptoms, and handle disclosures.
This year, we reached out to more than 170,000 individuals with our digital resources, either self-availed on Arpan's E-learn platform or through partner platforms like DIKSHA and Innerwheel District 314. DIKSHA is a national platform for school education, an initiative of the National Council for Education Research and Training (NCERT), Ministry of Education, GoI and Innerwheel District 314 is a part of Innerwheel Club of Mumbai, an International Organization which was started in the year 1924 with the objective of friendship & service to the society.
We are proud to announce that Arpan's Personal Safety Courses for 8 to 10-year-old and 11 to 13-year-old are now being broadcasted on SWAYAM PRABHA, an initiative of the Hon. Ministry of Human Resources Development to provide 34 High-Quality Educational Channels through DTH (Direct to Home) across the length and breadth of the country on a 24X7 basis.
With a vision of a world free from Child Sexual Abuse, Arpan proposes to create awareness and sensitization through public advocacy and communication campaigns. The highlight of this year was the third edition of Child Safety Week (November 14th to November 20th, 2021). It was an action-packed week. Despite all the limitations that the pandemic brought, more than 160 partners excitedly conducted diverse activities like community-wide awareness seminars with adults and children, training sessions, holding art-based workshops to educate children about personal safety and workshops on slogan-writing and pledge-taking. Tweet-chats, Webinars, Facebook & Instagram Lives, and frequent content sharing kept social media buzzing all week, generating millions of impressions. This year too, the Child Safety Week got the trust and support of 18 most well-known celebrities, artists, and parenting influencers. Aside from that, several other experts in critical positions in the government and non-government sectors were fervent champions who helped increase the decibel through their networks. The fact that four survivor voices echoed the fundamental ideas of 'Personal Safety' was incredibly encouraging. The media was highly receptive throughout the week, giving Child Safety Week and the partners' events the coverage they deserved. Child Safety Week was also taken up and observed by various government departments at the local, state, and national levels - 12 states and 1 Union Territory across India.
A detailed report can be found HERE.
We also organized and participated in a variety of online initiatives. Through 47 interactive sessions, including a webinar with Ms Vidya Balan, the total reach was more than 60,000. Ms Pooja Taparia was featured on the cover of Hershey's chocolate for their special celebration for Women's Day, which was the highlight of the year.
With optimism and confidence, we look forward to working toward our vision of "A World Free of Child Sexual Abuse" in the New Financial Year.
Do stay with us on this journey, encouraging and supporting us in every way you can. Your unwavering support and belief in our efforts motivate us to keep working harder to make the world free of Child Sexual Abuse.
Please write to us at communications@arpan.org.in with your suggestions and feedback to make this newsletter better.
