Girls in Dobhi feel confident to tackle shibboleths about sanitation

Gram Panchayat Dobhi is situated 33km from Budhni block headquarters. Its population is 545 comprising of 115 households. The majority belong to SC and backward castes.

Initially there was a problem in motivating the girls because the village elders did not initially allow girls to attend the meeting. The culture of the village was such that girls did not sit together and talk in public places. Secondly since the greater proportions of families are backward caste Chauhans and Meenas the SC families were afraid of sending their girls outside because they feared being targeted. The female facilitator personally went to each house and related the aims of the project. When she talked about the issues of hygiene and sanitation the girls were motivated to join such a group and convinced their parents to allow them to be part of such a group. Now regular meetings are taking place monthly and the girls come regularly.

Misconceptions about menstruation have been corrected. Sanitary pads are now used during the menstruation cycle and the girls do not regard it as unclean. Gynecological problems arising out of lack of hygiene are lessening. The Anganwadi stakeholder is also part of the programme and fulfils the Anganwadi’s function of educating adolescent girls. The girls’ meeting is held monthly in the Anganwadi in which they are given inputs on sanitation and reproductive health.

Girls have also started putting forth their opinions in the affairs of the household especially with relation to marriage. When they feel that the decision is not in their favour they have started raising protests against the decision. They are demanding their rights.