8,160
Youth reached through life skills and
health education programmes
(2016-2022)
Empowering adolescents using a gender-transformative approach through experiential education, community mobilization and health services
Mumbai and Thane (Dharavi, Kandivali and Kalwa)
Adolescence is often characterised by physical, mental and emotional uncertainty, and poses unique challenges for young adults residing in urban informal settlements.
of adolescents in India reported being depressed for 2 weeks or more in a row
of the disease burden among adults in India attributed to unhealthy habits during adolescence
Youth in these areas often have limited access to resources on topics relating to health, gender and sexuality. Stigmas relating to sexual behaviour and gender stereotypes abound, making it difficult to find a safe and encouraging environment to openly discuss these crucial topics. In many cases, public institutions also don’t have the capacity to address adolescents’ needs.
Source: Mental Health Status of Adolescents in South-East Asia: Evidence for Action, a WHO report from April 2017
We engage directly with adolescents to influence their physical health, social attitudes and promote gender equity.
Our programs in Dharavi, Kandivali and Kalwa aim to ensure better physical, mental and sexual health outcomes for young people between the ages of 10 and 19 years. We equip adolescents with skills to lead an empowered life through the following strategies.
Our community-based resource centres offer a non-judgemental and safe space for adolescents to come and share their questions and concerns. The centres house a resource library with books and other media on sexuality, gender, health and human rights. In addition to its engagement with adolescents, these centres engage with parents as well as community gate-keepers through meetings and counselling sessions.
Youth reached through life skills and
health education programmes
(2016-2022)
Adolescent girls are using hygienic
methods of menstrual protection
(2021-2022)
Adolescents received weekly Iron & Folic Acid (IFA)
tablets as opposed to 3% in the previous year
(2021-2022)
When we first began our Prevention of violence against women and children programme, we realized the importance of sensitizing men and women to gender issues at a younger age. We offer adolescents a chance to engage with these topics through activities in theatre, art and technology.
Arshad*, 19, first came to EHSAS with his mother, a community aide in the Prevention of Violence against Women and Children programme. He soon became a part of a play on mental health and developed a contagious passion for theatre.
Theatre exposed him to new perspectives, including insight into the violence and harassment faced by women.
Arshad became a spokesperson amongst his peers, disparaging violence and emphasizing the importance of treating all people with respect and dignity.
“I tell them not to tease women; sometimes it makes them angry, but I tell them anyway,” he says.
For Arshad, EHSAS has become a part of his family. He has brought many of his friends to participate in the programme and hopes that they too, like him, will find confidence and a creative outlet.
*Name changed
Our programme encourages adolescents to use and explore different forms of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). We seek to enable self-expression and facilitate strong peer learning networks, while building digital skills of adolescents in urban informal settlements. Some activities we facilitate among adolescents include using mobile phones to make videos, creating storyboards using web-based tools and producing podcasts on topics like love and attraction.
Integrated Child Development Services
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation
Mariwala Health Initiative
Agiliad Technologies
Bajaj Allianz
The Manan Trust
ACG Cares Foundation
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