Swechha

Educating and Raising Awareness among adolescent girls and boys, and women with interactive awareness workshops about reproductive health, hygiene, and self-empowerment while encouraging them to let go of long-held, unscientific blind beliefs.

The journey of SWECHHA has begun on the day of September 12th in 2015 towards discussion about adolescent girl child in remote rural parts of Andhra Pradesh.

Swechha for Girls

This programme is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of adolescent girls through awareness sessions. The awareness is provided on topics such as menstruation and its hygiene, personal hygiene, reproductive systems, personal safety, child sexual abuse (CSA), child marriages, attractions in adolescence, etc. This programme aims to break the silence on these critical issues and provide the support and resources these girls need for a healthy, comfortable life. This programme enables girls to speak openly about these topics and break out of the age-old myths.

Why ?

To reduce the stigma and shame around menstruation.
To improve the overall health and lifestyle of girls in rural areas.
To enable them to protect themselves in unsafe situations like child marriage and child sexual abuse.
To help them realise that girls can also have it all.

Swechha for Boys

Many times, organisations focus primarily on girls and women, leaving boys and men out of the conversation. To address this issue, some organisations like ours have created awareness modules specifically designed for adolescent boys. PCT is one of the first organisations in the Telugu states to tackle this problem and has developed a comprehensive module that covers boys’ adolescent changes and gender sensitization. In the Swechha for Boys Programme, a wide range of topics are explained in detail and discussed very sensibly and rationally. These topics include physical changes that happen in adolescence, the reproductive system, reproductive health hygiene, bullying, peer pressure, and substance abuse. We even encourage students to have an open and rational discussion with us and clear their doubts and misconceptions about sensitive and often less discussed topics like masturbation, Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexuality.

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WHY open and honest conversations about sex and sexuality can help young people lead healthy and fulfilling lives?

Here are the questions asked by adolescent boys and girls (8th & 9th class) during my most recent interaction with them.

1) Erection happens for boys, what happens for girls?

2) If someone has sex with a minor girl who has not started menstruating, will she become pregnant?

3) Can we masturbate every day? Will it cause any problem?

4) Why my penis is so small? What can I do to increase the size?

5) Uterus is removed from Women, Can the same be done for men?

6) If a minor boy has sex with a major girl will she get pregnant?

7) Why does nipple discharge happen for some men?

8) What can happen when a girl has sex during her menstruation?

9) If two girls perform sex, will they become pregnant?

The questions young people ask often reveal their curiosity and a genuine need for accurate information. However, the sensitive nature of these questions highlights the critical need for age-appropriate sex education.

Why is Right Awareness at Right Age it important?

A) Accurate Information: Prevents misinformation and harmful myths from taking root.

B) Healthy Choices: Empowers young people to make informed decisions about their bodies and relationships.

C) Safe Sex: Promotes safe sexual practices and reduces the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies.

D) Emotional Well-being: Helps young people understand their emotions, sexuality and relationships.

Padala Charitable Trust (PCT)'s Swechha Program on Adolescent Health Education is the way to address these awareness issues in our youth.

Let's work together to ensure our youth have access to comprehensive sex education.

Why ?

To empower adolescent boys, and provide knowledge about their bodies.
To cultivate the practice of good personal and reproductive hygiene
To mitigate bullying at schools, by promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity.
To enhance gender sensitivity among young boys for a more equitable and compassionate society.
To counter the incidence of substance abuse and STDs among youth for a healthier and safer future.

Swechha for Women

Swechha Women's Programme by PCT focuses on menstrual hygiene, reproductive health and disorders, gender equity, and self-employment. We raise awareness through campaigns and workshops to empower women with vital knowledge and promote gender equity. We support women in their entrepreneurship efforts by providing training and resources for self-sufficiency. We are trying to create a healthier and more equitable future for them.

Why ?

To reduce the stigma and shame around menstruation.
To educate and create awareness on reproductive health.
To promote a more equitable society.
To support women in their entrepreneurial endeavours.

How the Program is Conducted?

Classroom-Based Workshops:

Interactive sessions in schools, mainly government schools, using audio-visual presentations. Facilitate discussions on menstrual health, reproductive health, child sexual abuse, and child marriages.

Hands-On Activities:

Organise practical activities to demonstrate proper hygiene practices during menstruation. Conduct role-playing exercises to address misconceptions and break stigmas.

Interactive Q&A Sessions:

Facilitate question-and-answer sessions to address specific concerns and queries. Create a safe space for open discussions on sensitive topics.

Distribution of Educational Materials:

Provide informative books on menstrual and reproductive health. Distribute materials raising awareness about child sexual abuse and child marriages. Each student will receive a book.

Capacity Building:

Conduct workshops to build the capacity of teaching and non-teaching staff in schools.

Swechha Publications

Our Reach

1,20,000+

Swechha for Girls

5,000+

Swechha for Boys

3,500+

Swechha for Women

1,20,000+

Swechha for Girls

5,000+

Swechha for Boys

3,500+

Swechha for Women

Engage with Us

At Padala Charitable Trust you can donate towards various initiatives and help us accomplish our mission and make a lasting change.

Donate

The Padala Charitable Trust invites enthusiast individuals to come forward and help us in our initiatives. Enroll yourself as Volunteer.

Volunteer

At Padala Charitable Trust you can donate towards various initiatives and help us accomplish our mission and make a lasting change.

Donate

The Padala Charitable Trust invites enthusiast individuals to come forward and help us in our initiatives. Enroll yourself as Volunteer.

Volunteer

Our Partners

Testimonials

"I thought Menstruation is impure and dangerous but now after hearing this session I strongly believe that it is a normal body Process. Swechha Programme is very useful programme to every girl"

90% of the girls feedback

"In my village we felt very shy to even purchase a sanitary pad. We use a bad cloth during our periods which leads to dangerous health problems. Now I got enough knowledge to change my self and also I promise I will let me mother also follow the same"

80% of the girls feedback

"I will not let my children know about these taboos. I will teach them about natural process. I will act as a change agent for next generation"

60% of the girls feedback

"We need to see a day when mature (Puberty) functions are not held for girls anymore. Then only we can assume all the parents and girls aware about natural process of menstruation."