SAKHI Initiative from Awareness to Action

Neelapu Anuradha, a sixteen-year-old student and state-level athlete, was at risk of a child marriage arranged by her family. In July 2024, as part of the SAKHI initiative, the local authorities intervened after learning about the planned wedding, educating her family on the legal and social consequences of child marriage and convincing them to cancel the wedding.

Anuradha expressed her gratitude, "The intervention allowed me to continue my education and pursue my passion for sports. My mother, Revathi, now proudly supports my education and my journey to becoming a Kabaddi National Player." 

SAKHI is a comprehensive adolescent health and development programme conceptualized in 2022 and led by the district administration of Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh, with technical support from UNICEF under the PEPFAR-CDC project. Its purpose is to facilitate the inclusive development of adolescents at the community, school and college level by addressing critical areas such as health, nutrition, education, protection and socio-economic empowerment. 

The groups are mentored by local Anganwadi (rural childcare institution) workers and schoolteachers, with the support of government functionaries like Mahila (Women’s) Police and health workers. Focused training also equips members with valuable knowledge and tools for enhanced safety and emergency response.

"Self-defense is a crucial skill for girls to navigate challenges confidently. Through the Sakhi program, we’ve prioritised teaching self-defence in schools, empowering girls to handle situations like harassment when travelling from school to home," Mahila Police Officer P Likitha from Vizianagaram asserts.

Comprehensive Support for Adolescent Health

"I had been struggling with headaches and couldn’t focus during my exams, so I decided to seek help from the AIIMS State Adolescent Resource Centre. 

They diagnosed me with exam stress and anxiety. After receiving counselling and learning stress management techniques, I began to feel better. After two weeks, I’m happy to say that I finally feel like myself again," shares a sixteen-year-old girl (identity hidden) from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.

Health is a core focus of the Sakhi program, which is greatly supported by the State Adolescent Health Resource Centre at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh. 

With UNICEF's support, this centre offers critical services such as patient counselling, health checkups, telemedicine, growth monitoring, vaccination and referrals for specialized care.

Puthi Jyoshna, a Community Health Officer at Primary Health Centre in Vizianagaram, observed that during health camps many adolescent girls suffer from anemia mainly due to poor nutrition and fast-food habits. 

Through the Sakhi program training, Jyoshna has enhanced her ability to educate students on good health and nutrition, “By teaching girls about good diets and healthy habits today, we can help them build a healthier future tomorrow,” she says.

Sakhi Corner: A Resource Hub for Adolescents

The ‘Sakhi’ Corner, launched on National Children’s Day, 14 November 2024, in Vizianagaram, is a pioneering resource centre dedicated to adolescents, the first of its kind in the state. 

Located at the district collector's office, it provides a walk-in space for adolescents to access health services, including HIV prevention, and engage in counselling on health and non-health issues.

The centre, supported by the Departments of Women & Child, Health, and Education, along with Nature NGO and UNICEF, offers training in life skills, leadership, career guidance, and self-defence. 

It also provides a platform to learn about government schemes, promote peer learning, and address adolescent concerns directly with district officials.

A Digital Gateway to Health and Empowerment: https://apshwp.ap.gov.in/en/theme/2

“Child marriage harms both the mother and the child, affecting their health and future. Through the School Health and Wellness Program website, we learn, educate, and empower ourselves to fight against such issues,” shares A. Chaithrali, a ninth grader from Kumaram Zilla Parishad High School.

With a few clicks, Chaithrali efficiently demonstrated how to access the website, register, and complete an HIV awareness quiz to earn a certificate, inspiring her peers to use the platform for learning and change.

Unveiled by the Hon’ble State Minister for Health Medical and Family Welfare, the platform provides adolescents and teachers across public and private schools in Andhra Pradesh access to vital resources on HIV prevention, mental health, substance abuse and life skills. 

Featuring interactive modules, quizzes and digital certifications, the initiative offers a unique opportunity to educate and empower, fostering a healthier, safer future for the youth of Andhra Pradesh.

Over 17,500 active young people, of which over three-fourths are adolescent girls, have embraced this new, dynamic platform launched under the School Health and Wellness Program.

In collaboration with the Commissioner of Health and Family, State AIDS Control Society, State Council for Education, Research and Training, Women and Child Development Dept., and UNICEF under the PEPFAR-CDC project. This first-of-its-kind website is transforming learning into an engaging and rewarding experience.

S. Sahithi, an adolescent participant from Vizianagaram at the G20 Regional Meeting in Hyderabad, aptly describes the impact of the Sakhi program in empowering girls. “The Sakhi program has given me and many others like me the strength to live confidently and create a better future,” she asserts, with a twinkle in her eye.