Jharia division of Tata Steel Foundation as part of its focused programme for adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health, titled Regional Initiative for Safe Sexual Health by Today’s Adolescents (Project RISHTA) is carrying out awareness drive in all its 45 lease hold villages.

Weekly meetings are organised by a team of five members including four field workers and a coordinator in every village for the adolescents and youth apprising them about the basic sexual and reproductive health issues, including balanced diet, menstruational cycle related changes, need for proper hygiene practices, disadvantages of child marriage and others.

Talking to The Telegraph Online on Wednesday, Lakshmi Kumari (35) a field worker of the team of five members of Project RISTA of Tata Steel foundation said, “To encourage the children to get knowledge about crucial health issues we also organise quizzes, drawing competitions and debates.”

Divulging more details, Laxmi, a political science graduate said, “I am associated with the project since 2014 and my family extends all kinds of support to my work as they feel that it is better to work as social change agents through awareness work rather than to let the change to take place on it’s own” and added Child marriage violates children’s rights and places them at violence, exploitation and abuse."

“We also apprise the girls of the adolescent period which is very important for the children as it is characterised by rapid physical growth, psychological and behavioral changes,” said laxmi adding that as taboos, myths and restrictions associated with menstruation leave a negative impact on adolescent girls so through awareness they try to help them manage these issues with confidence and dignity and improve their quality of life.

Rajesh Kumar, Head of Tata Steel Foundation, Jharia divison while talking to The Telegraph Online on the sidelines of weekly awareness programme at Sakhakulhi village said, “ The focused programme of RISHTA aims to improve the sexual and reproductive health and well being of adolescents and youth.”