Ajmer -In one of its kind event – 100 adolescents girls, community leaders and frontline workers from rural Rajasthan gathered to take part in Kishori swasthya mela – “Aao Milo Seekho Jano” which marked the launch of “Ab Banegi Apni Baat,” a Learning Management System (LMS)-based app, and “Bindi Se Puchein,” an AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot.
The initiative aims to enable adolescent girls to learn and explore themes like self esteem, relationships and consent topics which are rarely discussed openly due to restrictions and provide a private, judgement free space to ask, share and reflect on choices. The digital platform offers short relatable stories and interactive games which would help girls to build agency and confidence to navigate through and make informed decisions.
Dr Monalisa Padhee, Program Head, Wellness and Education, Bindi International who led this project as part of her fellowship project shares
“We’ve seen that adolescent girls love playing games and watching or listening to short stories. We realized that if we create relatable stories on topics like consent, trust, and agency in relationships, and pair them with reflection-based games, it can bridge the gap of having a safe, private space for girls to seek information. Our approach is to align with the way today’s adolescents consume content and create an environment where they feel supported, respected, and empowered.”
At the mela, the girls participated enthusiastically in different activities such as DIY menstrual bracelet and reusable pad, hopscotch, passing the parcel and other popular games reimagined to debunk myths around menstrual and sexual and reproductive health. The interactive design ensured that learning was joyful. By normalising conversations around healthy relationship and consent, the mela has strengthened the agency and decision making skills of the young girls.
Paramjeet Kaur, Training and wellness Advisor who moderated the event shared that
“Our intention through this mela is to co-create safe and trusted spaces where girls can have fun, learn and build peer networks who they can lean on for support”
Another highlight of the event was the AI chatbot- “Bindi se puchein” , which leveraged on the power of AI to provide confidential responses to questions on menstrual and sexual and reproductive health. This was designed as an extension of the LMS based app where girls can continue to explore topics of interest.
With heartfelt conversation and reflections, many adolescent girls found courage to share their journeys and stories. Few of them even volunteered to facilitate ”Baatchit Mandali” and co- create safe spaces through these digital tools. As a token of appreciation to the unsung heroines of community health in rural India, community leaders and frontline workers were too felicitated in the event.
This initiative underscores the urgent need for innovative, youth-centered solutions to reach adolescents who often feel isolated or hesitant to seek help even with access to digital spaces. By blending technology, storytelling, and play, “Ab Banegi Apni Baat” is paving the way for safer, more informed spaces for rural girls.
