The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted not only the financial condition but also mental health of many people, especially youngsters. Women are bearing a disproportionate burden of the COVID-19 pandemic that is deepening existing discrimination and inequality. Young Kishori (adolescent girls) in the ages of 15-24 years are experiencing restricted mobility, absence of peer connect and increased workload.
More home time due to shut schools has increased household work for the unmarried women and caregiving responsibilities for the married, with all family members staying at home and little support from family, especially men due to patriarchal social norms. Disrupted livelihoods and fear of contracting COVID has further increased parenting stress. These combined with an absence of a confidante to share their feelings and emotions manifests in increased stress – physical and emotional, unhappiness, irritability, arguments, ultimately deteriorating relationships.
CSA, thus, formed Kishori groups (tribal and non-tribal) in February 2021 in our intervention areas of Raigad. We focused on equipping young girls between the ages of 15 to 24 years, to resiliently adapt and cope with the impact of COVID-19 through various input sessions such as the Tree of Life, Forest of Life and Storms of Life modules. The Wadi Prerikas/grassroot social workers were also trained on Barefoot Counselling so that they would be available to listen to these girls who would share their problems. Apart from the above modules, CSA also gave input sessions on menstrual hygiene for these girls. Keeping in mind all the above issues, these groups were also formed in Dharavi Island and Mumbai.
The objectives of the Kishori group are;
1. To raise awareness on mental health
2. To raise awareness on menstrual hygiene
3. To give them basic financial literacy training
4. To encourage them to pursue higher education
5. To develop confidence and communication skills in them