Deepikaben’s path to menstrual health and awareness
Deepikaben, an adolescent girl from Gujarat, faced health issues due to poor menstrual hygiene.
Her life changed when she attended health workshops conducted by CRY America’s Narmada DI project. There, she learned about menstrual hygiene, and physical changes through a menstruation comic book that was distributed to adolescent girls by the project team. They also encouraged open conversations between mothers and adolescent girls, highlighting the importance of menstrual hygiene. In addition, the project staff provided access to sanitary pads through Anganwadi Centers. She was also encouraged to attend the Life Skills Sessions by becoming a part of CRY’s Adolescent Collective Group.
Today, Deepikaben not only manages her menstrual health confidently but also advocates for other girls in her community to embrace better hygiene practices.
*Image used for representation purpose only
The Problem
The Dediapada block of Narmada district in Gujarat is a tribal-dominated area. Apart from the MNREGA program, there is little work available for members to support their families. People rely solely on monsoon farming, which is insufficient to sustain their livelihoods. The community’s health is severely impacted due to the low literacy rate. Children and women suffer from malnutrition and anemia because of poor eating habits. Immunization of new born children is irregular and not thoroughly monitored. Members lack nutritional awareness and cannot afford nutritious food. Additionally, Anganwadi Centers (AWCs), Government Centers, and Nutrition Rehabilitation Centers lack sufficient infrastructure and facilities.
The Solution
CRY America’s project in Narmada works provide health and nutritional support to the children and women of the community. Key activities under this project include registering pregnant women with AWCs, ensuring institutional deliveries, immunizing children and forming children’s collectives to address health issues. Another key focus is to drive awareness campaigns on nutritious food, hygiene, and kitchen gardens.
Impact Of The Project
318
pregnant and lactating women attended childcare sessions
465
adolescent girls sensitized on child protection issues
450
lactating mothers attended VHND sessions
355
children received Take-Home Rations (THR)
535
children aged 1-5 years received deworming tablets
622
children aged 6-60 months enrolled in Anganwadi Centers
965
children trained in Life Skills Module
2025 Plans
- Ensure that Anganwadi and ASHA workers provide IFA tablets to 461 adolescent girls.
- Conduct street plays in 7 villages to raise awareness on anemia.
- Conduct monthly meetings with 11 adolescent groups throughout the year.
- Ensure a safe drinking water facility for 1,099 families through home visits.
- Organize monthly meetings with 15 mothers’ groups and 17 adolescent groups to highlight the importance of safe drinking water.
- Monitor the health of 54 pregnant women through home visits and ensure their registration with AWCs.
- Ensure 100% immunization of 10 children aged 9-12 months.
- Conduct one session on food program linkage and nutritious food habits with 110 members from 15 villages.
- Organize capacity-building training for 7 team members to sensitize them to food linkage programs.
- Monitor the growth of 315 children to assess their nutritional status.
- Counsel families of 32 severely underweight (SUW) and 59 moderately underweight (MUW) children to admit them to a Nutrition Rehabilitation Center (NRC) or Child Malnutrition Treatment Center (CMTC).
2025 Total Budget
