SWECHHA Overview
The partnership between EMPOWER, SVCT and Padala Charitable Trust aims to empower girl students through the ‘Swechha’ initiative. Swechha focuses on increasing awareness and education among middle to high school girls on various crucial topics including menstruation, adolescent health, hygiene, and societal issues affecting them. By collaborating, Empower along with SVCT and Padala Charitable Trust endeavors to create a supportive environment where girls can learn, grow, and thrive.
Till date, Swechha has engaged over 2100 students, spread over 20 select schools and hostels. Each school was visited three times, ensuring sustained engagement and reinforcement of the program’s objectives. Each visit comprised immersive sessions lasting 2-3 hours, facilitated jointly by the Swechha team and SVCT representatives, providing a deep dive into critical topics relevant to the girls’ well-being. The program continued to expand in the past year.
The program is now extended to co-ed schools, recognizing that the education of adolescent health is crucial for both girls and boys. By including boys in these programs, the initiative aims to foster a more inclusive understanding of health issues, promote mutual respect, and address gender-specific challenges collaboratively. This expansion is expected to enhance the overall impact of the program, creating a more informed and supportive community for all students.
Swechha For Little Birds (SFLB) extends the Swechha program to younger children, aged 6 to 12 (Grades 1–7). Guided by the 2012 Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, SFLB is dedicated to educating students about personal boundaries and safe vs. unsafe touch. Through interactive classroom sessions in government and upper primary schools, the program empowers children to recognize and respond to possible threats, speak up against abuse, and prevent bullying. The initiative employs engaging and age-appropriate teaching methods—including role-play, hands-on activities, and interactive Q&A sessions—to reinforce learning. Additionally, SFLB holds workshops for teachers and school staff, promoting a lasting impact on student safety and awareness. The program provides a safe environment for victims to share instances of abuse; volunteers notify appropriate authorities and help ensure remedial actions.
Quantitative Impact
Reach
Swechha directly engages with a significant number of students from numerous selected schools, ensuring widespread coverage across the targeted demographic.
Frequency
Three visits conducted throughout the academic year, allowing for consistent engagement and reinforcement of key learnings.
Duration
Each session, lasting 2-3 hours, provides ample time for comprehensive discussions, activities, and knowledge sharing.
Qualitative Impact
Increased Awareness: The initiative significantly enhances awareness among girl students on crucial topics such as menstrual hygiene, adolescent health, sexual harassment, and internet safety, empowering girls to make informed decisions and advocate for themselves.
Empowerment: Through education and dispelling myths, Swechcha empowers students to take charge of their health, well-being, and future, instilling confidence and self-assurance.
Community Engagement: Swechha’s outreach extends beyond students to families and society, sparking conversations and promoting understanding of the challenges faced by young girls.
Long-term Impact: By equipping girls with knowledge, resources, and support, Swechha lays the foundation for long-term positive outcomes, including improved health, reduced stigma, and enhanced opportunities for personal and societal growth.
Anonymous Questions: Girls are encouraged to ask questions anonymously, allowing them to address issues that might normally bring up feelings of shame, thereby promoting open and honest communication.
Safe Learning Environment: The program emphasizes building a safe space for young girls and boys to learn about their bodies and the changes they experience, fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding.
Content Of The Session
The Swechha program is meticulously designed to address critical aspects of adolescent health and well-being through two distinct phases, each involving sessions that typically last 2-3 hours. Each phase is broken down into three visits to ensure comprehensive coverage of the topics. During the first visit, foundational knowledge on menstrual hygiene, puberty, and general adolescent health is introduced, creating a comfortable environment for students to engage openly. The second visit delves deeper into specific health issues and societal challenges, such as mental health and nutrition, providing students with practical knowledge and coping strategies. The final visit focuses on consolidating this information, emphasizing long-term health practices and community support, and includes interactive activities to reinforce learning and build confidence.
To accommodate the school schedules, sessions are ideally held on weekdays, when possible, as they tend to be more productive. However, if weekdays are not feasible, sessions can be planned for weekends, particularly for residential or hostel settings. Each school is allocated one day for a pilot session, targeting students in grades 8, 9, and 10. The sessions are equipped with essential resources such as laptops, projectors, printouts, portable mics, speakers, and suggestion boxes to facilitate a smooth and interactive learning experience. Post-session support is available through phone counseling, ensuring that students can seek further guidance as needed. The program’s effectiveness is measured through pre- and post-session surveys and feedback, ensuring continuous improvement and impact validation. The long-term sustainability of the program involves training SVCT staff to independently conduct sessions and a commitment to ongoing support and resource allocation.
Student Testimonials
“I used to think menstrual blood was bad because it smelled, but Swechha taught me it’s because of using pads too long. Now I know to change pads regularly and dispose of them properly, and I’ve learned the importance of avoiding junk food.”
R. Suneetha, 9th class, KGBV Jalumuru
“Today’s Swechha session taught me about love and attraction. Adolescents often mistake attraction for love, which can derail our goals and lead to early marriage. We should focus on our education instead.”
V. Bhargavi, 8th class, KGBV Jalumuru
“During holidays, I used to spend too much time on my phone. Today I learned about internet safety and the risks of cyberbullying. I’ll now use my phone mainly for studying and save money by avoiding unnecessary expenses. Thanks to the SVCT team.”
Lahari, 9th class, MJPTBCWREIS Srikakulam
“In the Swechha session, I learned how superstitions around periods affect us negatively through a story about five monkeys. We often follow these blindly without questioning them. From now on, I’ll avoid superstitious practices.”
Pujitha, 8th class, MJPTBCWREIS Srikakulam
“I used to think menstrual blood was bad because it smelled, but Swechha taught me it’s because of using pads too long. Now I know to change pads regularly and dispose of them properly, and I’ve learned the importance of avoiding junk food.”
R. Suneetha, 9th class, KGBV Jalumuru
“Today’s Swechha session taught me about love and attraction. Adolescents often mistake attraction for love, which can derail our goals and lead to early marriage. We should focus on our education instead.”
V. Bhargavi, 8th class, KGBV Jalumuru
“During holidays, I used to spend too much time on my phone. Today I learned about internet safety and the risks of cyberbullying. I’ll now use my phone mainly for studying and save money by avoiding unnecessary expenses. Thanks to the SVCT team.”
Lahari, 9th class, MJPTBCWREIS Srikakulam
“In the Swechha session, I learned how superstitions around periods affect us negatively through a story about five monkeys. We often follow these blindly without questioning them. From now on, I’ll avoid superstitious practices.”
Pujitha, 8th class, MJPTBCWREIS Srikakulam