Women in Agriculture

Lesson 12 : Programmes for Girl Child -1

Welfare and Development of Adolescent Girls (11-18 years)

Focused attention needs to be given to the welfare, development and empowerment of Adolescent girls as they presently have only limited opportunity to become informed and contributing members of their community and society. Adolescents also have physical and biological needs at this stage of their development, it is important to take care of their psycho-social needs and encourage them to develop their selfesteem and self confidence. Counseling centers for adolescents should be opened in all schools and information centers at every block for adolescents.

Balika Sanghas could be formed in every village of the country. The Balika Sanghas play a role of catalysts in creating an enabling environment and becoming the support group for empowerment of girls. The aim should be to raise the profile of the girls and support them in becoming change agents for themselves, their peers and the community, in general.
Vocational training and skill development should be imparted to adolescent girls as part of their education (formal and non-formal), so that her marriage and motherhood are deferred/delayed and she is made economically independent.