Annual Report 2014-15Vatsalya

Message from President

It's been 10 years of my association with Vatsalya and my

excitement since joining till date has never came to end

due to the kind of work organization is into. I joined as a

thought leader in field of health offering new and

innovative ways to transform the social sector. However,

Vatsalya was already on its path of doing advocacy, hand

holding support to government & like minded

organization.

The past year has been a time of growth and change at Vatsalya.

We have made great pace in our cause on gender inequality leading to

sex selective elimination of girls and receive wide recognition for our

impact and approach. We have been able to do advocacy efforts which we

go through whole year however this aforementioned issue needs ongoing

effort.

As a team we are able to maintain the vigour, spirit and energy to take our

journey forward. On behalf of Vatsalya, we would like to thank all of our

stakeholders for such passionate support, and hope that many others will

join us on our journey.

Thank you,

Dr. P. C. Kanuajia,President, Vatsalya

Message from Chief Functionary

It has been 20 years since Late Dr. S. M.

Singh and I, stepped the journey of

Vatsalya to curb sex selective elimination

of girls and empower like minded civil

society organization on health related

issues at grass root level. Though this step

has taken many moves by widening its

focus from sex selective elimination of girls

to nutrition, sanitation, child rights-

protection etc.

This year we have been able to retain our team knowledge building sharing

interest parallel to our work. We are happy to keep both of these and

sharing with other like-minded organizations / civil society organization,

media. This could be seen from linkages we have made with government

department to facilitate and build knowledge on Weekly Iron Folic Service

(WIFS)/ Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) program under National

Health Mission (NHM) and WASH issues with department of Panchayati

Raj.

Limiting not our self to state level this year we were opportune to present

at varied international forums too. It gives immense satisfaction and hope

that this journey will continue bringing lasting changes in life's of people.

Dr. Neelam SinghChief Functionary

Vatsalya

Overview :

Chief Functionary: DR. Neelam Singh Website: Founded: 1995 Location: LucknowCoverage: Uttar Pradesh

Vatsalya strives to improve health and social development indicators in Uttar Pradesh with a specific focus on the upliftment of women and children. It achieves this through research, advocacy, program implementation, training stakeholders and capacity building of Community Based Organizations (CBOs). Initially focused on preventing sex-selective elimination, it has broadened its focus to include other areas such as sanitation, nutrition, child-rights protection, child survival, and implementing & monitoring Govt. schemes such as Rastriya Bal Swathya Karyakaram (RBSK), RKSK and Menstrual Hygiene Scheme.

| | |www.vatsalya.org.in

MISSION

PRINCIPALS

MEMBER TO FOLLOWING STATUARY BODIES

Vatsalya's mission is to achieve lasting improvements & consistent endeavour towards the upliftment of behavioral practices in health & gender through a process that unites people across culture and adds meaning & value to their lives by:

lCurbing female foeticidelStrengthening & empowering the community based

NGOs on health issues at grass root level.lAdvocating issues pertaining to health imbalances at

different levels by demonstrating workable models.

Transparency & integrityEmpowerment and emphasis on holistic developmentCommitment to curb sex selective elimination of girlsImplementation through self & need based partnershipInnovation & developing learning siteEncourage constructive traditional practices in terms of women and child developmentAccountability to all stakeholders

National Inspection & Monitoring Committee under PC-PNDT ActNational Advisory Committee to implement Juvenile Justice and POCSO Act under NCPCR (National Commission for Protection of Child Rights)Technical Support Group (Health/Adolescent)Technical Support Group (Pre Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act)Steering Committee for WIL program under UP State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR)District Nutrition Committee Lucknow, Unnao, SultanpurAccredited by UP State Legal Service Authority on PC-PNDT Act

Vatsalya

Key Highlights

lAwarded with Dasra Girl Power award for providing girls access to bas ic sanitat ion fac i l i t ies , communicating the importance of adopting hygienic sanitary practices, and driving behaviour change among communities

lArticle Published in Waterlines International Journal Jan. 2015 on engagement of men around the issue of menstrual hygiene and management

lF o u r m e m b e r s f r o m o u r organization got opportunity to participate in SIDA scholarship program on Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR). For the internship program they visited Sweden and Tanzania

lCapacity Building of Counsellor of ARSH clinics in district Barabanki.

lFacilitated district level workshop of police personnel on POCSO and their role & responsibility in collaboration with DG Police (Training)

lCelebrated Global Menstrual Hygiene Day with State Health Mission.

:: 1 ::

Prosecuting

Officers of 75 districts oriented

on PC-PNDT

1300 children

linked with social

protection

schemes

356

Child

Protection

Committees

formed

405 children &

adolescent

groups formed

CHILD RIGHTS

Child rights are specialized human rights that apply to all human beings below the age of 18. Universally child rights are defined by the United Nations and United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

:: 2 ::

Key Achievements :

lUnder the guidance of UPSLSA

(Uttar Pradesh State Legal

S e r v i c e A u t h o r i t y ) 3 0 0

s t a k e h o l d e r s f r o m

administration, health and

judiciary were sensitized on PC-

PNDT Act.

lVatsalya got accreditation by

Uttar Pradesh State Legal

Service Authority on PCPNDT

act

lVatsalya represented by Dr.

Neelam Singh deliberated a

s e s s i o n o n “ S e n s i t i z i n g

Administrators on PCPNDT Act”

in Mussorie IAS academy for

170 IAS officers

l Dr. Neelam Singh was invited as

the member of the Panel

experts for the spot studies

relating to the Prime Minister's

Award for excellence in Public

Administration.

l168 CVO / media participants

w e r e s e n s i t i z e d o n

consequences of sex selective

elimination of girls and PC-

PNDT Act.

l4000 community members

were sensitized on the issue of

child rights

l1300 children were linked with

social protection schemes such

as birth registration, education,

fully immunization etc.

l250 mother groups were

formed in intervention area

were sensitized on rights of

:: 3 ::

CHILD RIGHTS1. Child Centred Community Development

Overview :

Child Centred Community Development Program :

Holistic Development

Sustainable development of communities could be achieved only when they themselves participate in its process. Through the holistic approach we work along with communities to develop the structures and skills they need to provide a safe and healthy environment in where they are able to realize their full potential.

Child Centred Community Development program is implemented in 31 communities of Mall block. We work for eight domains child participation and governance, child protection, Health, Water Environment & Sanitation, Education, Early Childhood Care Development, Household Economy & Security and Disaster Risk Reduction.

Achievement

New born are now regularly receiving birth certificates from Community health centre, Mall. 637 children under six years got their right to identity- “birth certificate”.

25 under privileged girls from intervention area got admission in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidayalaya

67 no. of school dropout children were send back to school and are now regularly attending it.

32 SHG from intervention area linked with NRLM scheme has received revolving fund

Community toilet complex has established and around 96 community members are regularly using it.

54 individual toilets were constructed by motivating families from intervention area

75 adolescent & youths from intervention area were trained on computer literacy and 75 adolescent girls were trained on tailoring

Model VHND in 5 community was celebrated which led in 80% increase in immunization, 100% increase in TT vaccine among pregnant women & 70-80% in adolescent girls. 100% BP check up of pregnant women.

:: 4 ::

STORY OF CHANGE :

Vaishnavi daughter of Sarswati took birth around 1:00 am in morning at Sub Centre in Para Bhadrahi of Mall

block bringing smiles to her family. Before that they were so confused since at such late night they were not

having vehicle to reach Community Health Centres (CHC). However, they remembered that at such time sub

centre could be great help to them.

ANM Sub Centre at Para was

constructed in community to

provide health related services to

beneficiaries. Though after its

construction it was not in the state

for use and stayed closed. Since

the community is around 6 KM

away from Community Health

Centres (CHC), it become difficult

for people to reach doctors during

an emergency as in the case of

Sarswati. Realizing the concern,

Vatsalya with support from Plan

India provided hardware and

software material to strengthen

sub centre.

After strengthening ANM Sub Centre an application was written to Chief Medical Officer (CMO) regarding

availability of ANM at centre for 24 hours. Regular follow up was made and after rigorous effort & follow up a

new appointment of ANM was made who stays at Sub Centre. Now onwards a pregnant woman doesn't

have to go far for their checkups, it could take place in communities, adolescent girls receive regular

immunization, IFA tablets. Till now 9 new birth has taken place in community and regular visit is also made by

near PHC doctor to new born. Services such as immunization, health check up, distribution of IFA or

albandazoel tablets at centre has improved.

Village Health Nutrition day is celebrated regularly, after which meetings with beneficiaries are organized to

generate awareness on health related issues. During these meetings film is screened on health related

issues and after which discussion took place. Now community members have found reason for their

happiness.

CHILD RIGHTS

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2. Right to

Overview :

Protecting Child Rights Project :

Protection

To protect children from or against any perceived or real danger, or risk to their life with respect to their personhood and childhood, reducing their vulnerability to harmful situations and ensuring that no child falls out of the social security and safety zone and, those who do, receive necessary care, protection and support so as to bring them back into the safety zone. While protection is a right of every child some children are more vulnerable than others and need special attention. The Government recognizes these children as children in difficult circumstances', characterized by their specific social, economic and geo-political situations. In addition to providing a safe environment for these children, it is imperative to ensure that all other children also remain protected.

Vatsalya has implemented the project ”Protecting Child Rights, particularly the Rights to Education and Protection” with the support of UNICEF in two blocks Khuthan and Suithakala of district Jaunpur in U.P. with an objective to establish and strengthen child protection structures; to enhance knowledge and attitude of families and communities on Child Rights and the protection of children against violence, exploitation and abuse and to empower women especially those from socially excluded groups to champion/Promote rights of children and have positive attitude to practice the 10 points child friendly agenda.

Key Highlights of the program:

l308 village Child Protection Committees were formed and made functional.

l3885 community members were sensitized on issues related to child protection such as child labour, child marriage, child sexual abuse and child friendly environment.

l1255 children from intervention area were linked with social protection schemes such as birth registration, disability certificate, and enrolment in schools.

l108 teachers from intervention area were sensitized on rights of children specially focussing on protection right.

lRegular inter convergence among developmental officers, police & health was conducted.

lMass awareness and information dissemination activities such wall writing, street play, block level infotainment activities were also conducted.

INTERVENTION361

WomenGroup

312AdolescentGirls Group

306CPC

CHILD RIGHTS

:: 6 ::

47 villages

250 Mothers

2641 mothers

3. Right to Girl Child Education

Overview :

EK Saal Aur

Key Highlights of Program

“Educate a man, you educate one person, educate a woman, you educate a complete family.” Reports estimate that more than 50 percent of girls in India fail to enroll in school and those who do are likely to drop out by the age of 12. As in a series of other aspects, the girl child is also discriminated against extensively in the right to education, even basic at times. Lack of education denies the girl child, the knowledge and skills needed to advance their status. Education enables the child to realize her full potential, to think, question and judge independently; to be a wise decision-maker, develop civic sense and learn to respect, love his fellow human beings and to be a good citizen. Figures also report that there is discrimination even in the field of higher education. At least a 40% of girls are not allowed to pursue higher studies, due to the conservative familial ideologies.

Realizing the issue Vatsalya with support from Plan India with an objective to improve the awareness and knowledge on importance of education for adolescent has implemented project “Ek Saal Aur” in Mall block of Lucknow district.

As the name implies it basically focus to strengthen mother such that they made their girl child go for education for one more year another year and making them empowered to advocate for their rights.

lReached 2641 mothers in past year and acquainted them with importance of girl child education.

lCelebrated Global and National days such as Women's Day, Children's Day and Child Right week so that they can get familiarize with their rights

lMass awareness activities such as puppet show, wall writing were also conducted to

lCapacity building of mother on importance girl child education

CHILD RIGHTS

:: 7 ::

4. Right to Survival

Overview :

Sex Selective Elimination of Girls Strengthening of PC-PNDT Act

The census of India 2011 data shows only 918 girls to 1000 boys, the most skewed ratio since India's independence. The girl child is now being murdered even before she can open her eyes in the world and this phenomenon has been greatly aided by increasing access to sophisticated medical technology. These innovative and sophisticated reproductive techniques (like Sperm Sorting, Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis and the most rampant being the Ultrasonography) brought a major spurt in demand for the pre-natal tests as it made possible the identification and sex preference of a child, often leading to sex selective elimination of girls which can be seen from the census of India 2011 918 girls to 1000 boys, the most skewed ratio since India's independence. “The deeply entrenched patriarchal social norms, prevailing views of daughter aversion and gender biased sex selection, the dowry related link and the general sense of insecurity in light of high prevalence rates of gender biased violence, is fuelling a significant drop in female births throughout the country” says Mary John in her book titled sex ratios & gender biased sex selection, history, debates & future directions, 2014. Vatsalya since inception has been fighting against gender bigotry and the practice of sex selective elimination for past 18 years in state of Uttar Pradesh. Its major emphasis is in endorsing state advocacy with government/ judiciary, media & building capacities of the significant stakeholders.

1995

2000

2005

2010

2014

Vatsalya established with a vision to curb female foeticide

Embarks on a strategy to combat the practice of female foeticide

through community sensitization, engaging government & CSOs, undergoing research at district

level

?

Building capacity of CSOs & government on the issue of female foeticide & PCPNDT Act.

?

Generating mass awareness through community sensitization in various districts of Uttar Pradesh

?Sensitizing diversified stakeholders including administration, heath, CSO, media & judiciary on sex selective elimination of girls & PCPNDT act

in Uttar Pradesh

?

Community sensitization via capacity building of frontline workers, youth leaders, etc

?

Resource agency on the issue for other states of India

?Embarking strategy to work intensively with Judiciary & administration at district & state level.

?Recognition at state level as resource centre on PCPNDT Act

Enhancing Vatsalya’s understanding & resources

on the issue

Taking the issue as a right based perspective

rather than a problem or issue

?Replicating the learning at state & National level

?Future planning & strategizing

Journey So far...

CHILD RIGHTS

:: 8 ::

Recognition of the organization

lVatsalya got accreditation by Uttar Pradesh State Legal Service Authority on PC PNDT Act

lA paper on ISSUES OF WOMEN'S HEALTH published in NYAYA DEEP, the official journal of NLSA (National Legal Service Authority) (Volume XV.ISSUE 1&2. January 2014 & April 2014)

lVatsalya represented by Dr. Neelam Singh deliberated a session on “Sensitizing Administrators on PCPNDT Act” in Mussorie IAS academy for 170 IAS officers.

lThe issue “SAVE THE GIRL CHILD” was adopted by the Uttar Pradesh State Legal Service Authority in FY 2013-14 which got extended to FY 2014-15.

lDr. Neelam Singh was invited as member of the Panel experts for the spot studies relating to the Prime Minister's Award for excellence in Public Administration.

Prosecuting officers of all 75 districts of UP sensitized

Under guidance of SLSA and with support of PLAN INDIA, UNICEF & ACTION AID judicial

officers, DLSA members, administrative & health officers were sensitized on legal aspect of sex

selective elimination of girls

Prosecution

153 administrative officers sensitized in 4 districts of Uttar Pradesh

With support of PLAN INIDA Administrative officers

being the Appropriate Authority under PCPNDT

Act

were oriented on Inspection & Monitoring under

the Act.

District Administration

Unregistered centers being operated-

shared with wide stakeholders State

Appropriate Authority

Research & Advocacy

8 Districts mapped- no of ultrasound centers running

168 NGOs/Media in 6 districts of Uttar

Pradesh sensitized on the issue

With support of UNICEF district level workshop

with the stakeholders were conducted, post

which 20 news articles were published by the

local news paper on the status of declining CSR in

respective districts

Civil Society Organization & Media

Under guidance of SLSA and with support of

PLAN INDIA, UNICEF & ACTION AID judicial

officers, DLSA members, administrative &

health officers were sensitized on legal

aspect of sex selective elimination of girls

Judiciary

300 stakeholders sensitized in 10 districts of Uttar Pradesh

CHILD RIGHTS

:: 9 ::

32000 people benefitted with toilets

4000 mother

covered

through

intervention

74 sanitation blocks in schools were developed/

restored benefitting 700

children

500 KGBV school

girls oriented on

menstrual

hygiene

management

:: 10 ::

WASH

Sanitation is the hygienic means of promoting health through prevention of human contact with the hazards of wastes as well as the treatment and proper disposal of sewage or wastewater.

Key Achievements:

l20000 girls and boys were sensitized on the issue of WASH.

l200 functional WASH Brigades composed of 2000 school children and teachers.

l32000 people have access to toilets in home and having access to safe drinking water 10066

l119 change agents motivating community members for construction of toilets and counsel adolescent girls on m e n s t r u a l h y g i e n e management & safe disposable mechanism

lCol laboration with state government for capacity building of district officials on menstrual hygiene scheme and rolling out Swatch Bharat Abhiyaan in Lucknow district

lOut 0f 911 girls not attending school during menstruation 514 have started attending schools during menstruation.

l500 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidayala girls were oriented on menstrual hygiene & its management

l4 0 0 0 m o t h e r s f r o m i n t e r v e n t i o n a re a w e re sens i t i zed on menstrual hygiene management and its safe disposal.

l7 4 s a n i t a t i o n b l o c k s constructed/ restored and 7 schools were strengthened to retain children in it.

:: 11 ::

1. Safe Drinking Water & Sanitation

Overview :

Breaking Silence Program :

Key Highlights of program :

Although menstruation is a natural physiological process, a lack of menstrual health management (or MHM) has become a large scale problem for women in India due to social stigmas, social-cultural myths and taboos, scarcity of information or misinformation, unavailability/scarcity of toilets and sanitary napkins, and environmental concerns associated with the disposal of sanitary napkins. This problem involves a cycle of neglect i.e. there is a lack of involvement from women and girls in decision-making regarding their own lives, lack of information and awareness regarding menstrual hygiene and why women menstruate, lack of access to sanitary materials and facilities, etc. The impact of this problem is large, and can be seen in the habitual absenteeism of girls from schools during menstruation thereby affecting their education and ability to keep up with work in school, the high prevalence of reproductive tract infections in areas where MHM does not take place, depression and low self-esteem among girls and women, hindrance in normal daily activities of women, the seclusion of women from the public realm during menstruation, and the creation of unhealthy environments due to prevailing disposal practices.

'Breaking Silence', which began in 2012, is a comprehensive WASH program with a specific focus on MHM (menstrual health management). During its implementation in 2 blocks of Lucknow, has reached 170,000 adolescent girls and boys through it. Through 'Breaking Silence,' we aims to improve the health and dignity of girls and women by providing access to safe water, access to a private and clean place to change sanitary napkins, a living environment free of harmful waste, and knowledge about hygiene and menstrual management.

l community members are now accessing toilets in home, community members were

sensitized on issues related to WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) and 10066 people having access to safe drinking water.

lPeer Educator from community and WASH Brigade members motivation lead to construction of 38 toilets.

l9686 community members were sensitized and 6026 number of stakeholder were oriented on WASH issues, Swatch Bharat Abhiyaan and safe sanitation & personal hygiene management.

lIEC development activities were also conducted such as placing of 19 Hoardings at Railway Stations,

Collectorate office, Vikas Bhawan, BSA office, CMO office & Block offices in Lucknow; 120 wall paintings depicting pictorial messages on WASH and Swatch Bharat Abhiyaan and to disseminate information and awareness generation Stickers, Circle game, Table calendar and Brochure on Sanitation were also developed.

32005 56073

WASH

:: 12 ::

STORY OF CHANGE

“Change Your Thoughts and You Can Change Your World” this proverbs suits well for Bittana, wife of Vijaypaal, lives in Belha village of BKT block is a young lady who brought change in her lifestyle as well as others. She teaches her community about menstrual hygiene, its safe disposal methods and the earnestness of toilet especially for women within the home. She knows that it is very important to manage menstruation hygienically but girls and women especially in rural areas being preoccupied with so many myths & misconceptions often adapt unhealthy behaviour which even at times leads to several health hazards like RTI, UTI etc. On realising the need to address this issue Bittana stimulated her and initiated communication with other females of her age group. She is personally doing counselling and explaining women how to use a napkin as well as its disposal. During meetings on MHM in her community she enhanced her knowledge about myths & misconceptions related to menstruation and now she is acting as change maker in her community and working to informing others about the same. She also understood the importance of safe sanitation and bring change from her own home as she had constructed toilet in her own home.

119

853 19

5647

223

217

Adolescents Reached

3155 Mother group members on MHM

FRONTLINE WORKERS

217 ASHA, 260 AWW, 27 ANM and 16 block officers on

MHM

Swachtha Doot

Masons trained

School Session WASH BRIGADES

Change Agents

Incineratorsconstructed

WASH

:: 13 ::

2. Restoring Women's Reproductive Right : Menstruation

GARIMA Programe :

Story of Rahima :

Garima Project is implementing in 190 villages of Khuthan block of Jaunpur district, Uttar Pradesh. The

project emphasis to develop and implement a comprehensive model for social and behaviour change

communication to reduce embarrassment around menarche, increase the number of adolescent girls who

are able to understand menstruation and the benefit of menstrual hygiene, and understand the sanitary

options to manage their menstrual cycle period. The current practices adopted by adolescent girls to deal

with menstruation hygienically are very poor. This is due to lack or inadequate knowledge on menstruation.

Adolescent's girls confidence is undermined by poor knowledge about the internal changes in their body

and hygiene management of menstruation. These factors

affect their health and well being and contribute to

acceptance of strictly separate gender roles in society and

systemic gender discrimination. The linkage and focal

point for the project are the Health Dept at the District

level.

Rahima resident of Kadaripur village from Khutan block of

Jaunpur and member of adolescent girls group. She like

other member regularly participated in monthly

meetings. Her regular participation in meetings build

understanding on the issue menarche and its

management.

She says, “before this intervention we were asked not to

take bathe, go outside, meet friends, not to sit on bed etc.

This made us feel hatred and shameful resulting into

distressful. However, watching movies and participation in

group meetings made me realized in overcoming these

myths and maintaining our dignity.”

Similarly many more girls has been benefitted through the

intervention. Girls have started maintaining personal

hygiene, attending school during menstruation,

participate in social activities with dignity and self respect.

Key Highlights :

l312 adolescent girls groups are formed and reaching out 5647 girls from intervention area.

l3155 mother reached out through program intervention

l170 teachers were oriented on personal hygiene and menstrual hygiene management.

l46 adolescent girls made temporary bathrooms in their houses after participation in group meetings and now motivating other girls.

lThrough 2236 community members registered their participation in film show on health and menstrual hygiene and management.

lGlobal and national days such as International Girl Child Day, Children's Day and National Girl Child Day were celebrated by organizing infotainment activities and disseminating information re l a te d to m e n st r u a l hyg i e n e management.

WASH

:: 14 ::

WASH3. Creating Enabling Environment in School

Support My School Project :

To bring children back to school program Support My School was implemented with support from Plan India, NDTV & Coca Cola. Broadly, the Support My School 'SMS' Campaign was built around building community awareness on importance of water and sanitation and how it impacts education. On the ground level, the campaign looked at upgrading the existing infrastructure of marginalized schools in rural India. In the purview of the same Vatsalya being the implementing agency upgraded 7 schools in Mall block of Lucknow district wherein 974 including (687 Boys & 428 Girls) has been benefitted. This ground breaking initiative has paved the way for the children to be active both physically and mentally and work towards achieving their dreams.

:: 15 ::

500 district and

block level officials

were oriented on

nutrition and its

importance

41498

vulnerable

population

covered under Link

Worker Scheme

program at Etawah

187 monitoring

visit were

completed under

RBSK scheme

in

Uttar Pradesh

:: 16 ::

1155 AWCmonitored

under POSHANmission

HEALTHThe Constitution of India makes health in India the responsibility of state governments, rather than the central federal government. It makes every state responsible for "raising the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people and the improvement of public health as among its primary duties".

:: 17 ::

Key Achievements :

l7 reports submitted for each district of Uttar Pradesh by making 555 visits in districts.

lD e v e l o p e d D i s t r i c t Nutrition Profiles

l100 Red Ribbon Clubs w e r e f o r m e d i n intervention area

l4 H I V te s t i n g c a m p organized with DAPCU & two positive identified.

l16868 beneficiaries were reached through Mhealth program.

l8679 Pregnant women registered in CommCare.

Promoting SABLA & RBSK (WIFS) scheme

Under National Rural Health Mission, significant progress has been made in reducing mortality in children over the last seven years (2005-12). Whereas there is an advance in reducing child mortality there is a dire need to improving survival outcome. This would be reached by early detection and management of conditions that were not addressed comprehensively in the past. Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) is an important initiative aiming at early identification and early intervention for children from birth to 18 years to cover 4 'D's viz. Defects at birth, Deficiencies, Diseases, Development delays including disability.

In view of the challenges being faced by GoUP in effective implementation of the scheme, in 2013 UNICEF and Vatsalya entered into a partnership wherein the key objective was to support the NHM and Family Welfare directorate in providing the monitoring and hand holding support to the WIFS scheme. Small monitoring support was also envisaged for the ICDS Sabla scheme. The PCA was done for a period of two years and the basic premise of the partnership was that the systems and activities required for operationalizing the schemes have been put in place by the GoUP, but activities related to capacity building and monitoring and reporting mechanisms were sub-optimal and not necessarily contributing to effective programming. The data flow systems was also weak and seldom used for programming purposes. The partnership strategy was finalized in consultation with NHM and aimed at providing concurrent feedback to the district and state on the observed gaps in program implementation with a view to address the same.

Overview :

AHNP :

Covering

552 blocks

555 visits in

districts

7 report

card for

each district

& state

6 state level

review

meetings

600

Sessions

observed in

school &

FA system of quarterly feedback to districts through district based reports has been operationalized

FBlock level as well as district level review meetings started in the districts. of these 16 district level meetings facilitated by the Vatsalya team

FAvailability of micro plan on the prescribed format improved from nil to all 75 districts. Most districts are sharing these plans with ICDS and Education sectors which is important for WIFS success

FDistrict level monitoring improved from January 2014, 44 visits (in number) to December 2014, 187 visits (in number)

FThe logistics were streamlined with state moving from one supplier to two suppliers for Iron tablets. As a result the availability of both IFA and deworming improved.

HEALTH1. ADOLESCENT HEALTH & NUTRITION PROGRAM

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HEALTH2. Combating Malnutrition Amongst Children

Overview :

POSHAN (Partnerships & Opportunities to Strengthen

and Harmonize Actions for Nutrition in India) :

Child under nutrition is caused by inadequacies in food, health and care for infants and young children, especially in the first two years of life (immediate causes). Inadequate food, health and care arise from food insecurity, unsanitary living conditions, low status of women, and poor health care (underlying causes). According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3) 42 per cent of children in the state of UP in the age group of 0 to 5 years are underweight and 7 per cent are severely malnourished. Hunger and Malnutrition survey report 2011also indicates that in UP 16 per cent children are severely underweight, 58.55 per cent are moderately underweight, 4 per cent severely malnourished and 3 per cent are severely wasted.

Poshan supported by Bill & Melinda Gates foundation and led by IFPRI (International Food Policy Research Institution) in collaboration with Vatsalya in Uttar Pradesh. POSHAN aims to crystallize the evidence base for action on nutrition in India, bringing diverse stakeholders together and actively facilitate dialogue, evidence-building, learning and consensus building, with the goal of moving knowledge into practice in diverse contexts within India. POSHAN will build on existing initiatives, action networks, consortia and coalitions, with the primary goal of strengthening evidence-based dialogue and developing intersectoral convergence to reduce malnutrition.

Achievements :

lOrder issued by Chief Development Officer (Unnao, Lucknow & S h r a w a s t i ) r e g a r d i n g implementation of action points for line departments

lDepartments adopted checklist for observation of AWC in district Unnao : 1155 AWC were monitored based on the checklist

lOrder issued by District Magistrate, Unnao regarding treatment of severe malnourished children at NRC identified during the camps held at block level

lChief Development Off icer initiated a review Meeting with ICDS department in Unnao district dated on 15th July 2014

lLetter has been issued to various officers/ departments (Chief secretary, Principal Secretary Ministry of Women and Child Development and H & FW by UPSLSA to review of status of NRCs and Nutrition programme in Uttar Pradesh

lD i s t r i c t N u t r i t i o n p ro f i l e s translated & shared in Hindi in meetings for better readability and understanding.

Convergence :

The Framework of Implementation

District Magistrate

Chief Development OfficerChief Medical Officer

Chief medical superintendentAdditional Chief Medical OfficerDistrict Program Manager- NRHMDistrict Community Process Manager Medical Superintendent/ Medical OfficersHealth

Education OfficerANM & ASHA

District Program OfficerChild Development OfficerSupervisors

Aaganwadi Worker (AWW) District Panchayati Raj OfficerPradhanPRI members

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3. Vulnerable Population

Overview :

People affected with HIV

Under NACP III, the Link Worker Scheme was launched to saturate the reach of the HIV related services to the high risk groups based in the rural areas. It has been designed specially to address population especially with high-risk groups (Female Sex worker, Injecting Drug User and Men having Sex with Men) & vulnerable population including youth in rural areas. Vatsalya is implementing the scheme in District Etawah with the support of UPSACS. Link Workers Scheme has been working in rural area of Etawah on HIV/AIDS, STIs and its awareness, prevention & risk reduction. In context of Etawah, the LWS covered the 100 villages in all 8 blocks. Entire intervention area has been divided into 04 sector comprised of 5 clusters which includes 5 male & 5 female link workers.

Achievements :

l197 Group meetings held with Job Kits meeting was conducted with general population youths and adolescent girls on the issues of HIV/AIDS-causes, consequences prevention, control and management of treatment.

lEstablished 192 Condom depots.

lTotal Condom Distribution 107078 this year.

l1312 HRGs Contacted in this year.

l814 HRGs referred for HIV testing.

l730 HIV testing of HRGs.l9 7 0 H I V t e s t i n g o f

vulnerable population.l391 HIV testing of bridge

population l10 New PLHIV people

identified & contacted.lEstablishment of 100

village information centers (VIC).

lFormation of 100 Red Ribbon Clubs.

l4 H I V t e s t i n g c a m p organized with DAPCU & two HIV positive identified.

Link WorkerScheme

HEALTH

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4. M-Health

Overview :

Technological Innovation

Since 1990, maternal deaths worldwide have dropped by 45 percent, but every day about 800 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Almost all of these deaths occur in low-income settings as a result of conditions that include severe bleeding, infection, high blood pressure, and complications during delivery. Maternal health is closely linked to newborn survival. While great strides have been made in reducing global child mortality, newborns now account for 44 percent of all childhood deaths. Each year, 2.9 million newborns needlessly die within their first month and an additional 2.6 million are stillborn.

Reducing Maternal & Newborn Death (ReMiND Project)

The Reducing Maternal and Newborn Death (ReMiND) project works with accredited social health activists (ASHAs) in Kaushambi District using basic mobile phones operating multimedia job aids to support client assessment, counselling, and early identification, treatment and rapid referral of pregnancy, postpartum and newborn complications. Catholic Relief Services, partnering with global innovator Dimagi and local implementing partner Vatsalya, has strengthened the supportive supervision structures for ASHAs through project supported sector facilitators (SFs) that act as ASHA supervisors. SFs use mobile phone based monitoring tools to guide supportive supervision, conduct routine observations of the quality of ASHA counselling during home visits, and follow up on poorly performing ASHAs. All real-time data is transmitted from the applications to a cloud based server where project supervisors can monitor and support ASHA activities.

Thank You ASHA didi

Rani resident of village Rahimpur Molani, Manjhanpur block exclaims, thanking ASHA for making her understand the importance of immunization, health and nutritional issues which she used to refuse persistently before due to ignorance and all the deliveries were conducted by elder women at home. She has 2 daughters of 13 year, 6 years respectively and one 2 years old son. Before this younger baby (son) born, she had three miscarriages and was not aware of health issues or immunization. Her husband Ram Singh has migrated to Mumbai and work there as labor for subsistence. Rani stays at home to look after the kids besides she also contributes in field as agriculture labor that occurs seasonally. ASHA Mrs. Nafeesa Begum told that initially she was adamant for immunization and her two elder daughters did not get any vaccination, also she refused to take TT shots during her pregnancy; it took more than twelve months to persuade her for vaccination; but with the help of mobile phone she counseled her regularly and continuously to vaccinate her son and to take TT vaccine herself as she is 4 months pregnancy now. She was also counseled on issues like hygiene, nutrition and was given IFA tablets. Consequently she preferred hospital for her previous delivery and was blessed with a baby boy. Rani shared- “I will go to the hospital for delivery and will get myself and would vaccinate my baby”

HEALTH

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Awards & Recognition

Vatsalya has been awarded with GIRLS POWER AWARDS 2014-15 by DASRA in sanitation category for providing girls access to basic sanitation facilities, communicating the importance of adopting hygienic sanitary practices and driving behavior change among communities

Vatsalya has been awarded for Guide Star India GOLD award for meeting the best standards of transparency and public disclosure. It certifies that the organization is a bonafide not for profit, financial statements are in order, files its annual returns with the Income Tax, Ministry of Home Affairs (if applicable) and Registrar (if applicable) and, the organisation practices high level of transparency.

Let Girls be Born, a program on declining child sex ratio & PCPNDT act implemented by Vatsalya with the support of Plan India has been awarded as Plan Global awards 2014 for most successful advocacy campaign.

In its research report "Spot On - Improving Menstrual Health and Hygiene in India." The philanthropy foundation DASRA profiled the interventions Vatsalya is implementing at different level in Uttar Pradesh on Menstrual Hygiene Management in collaboration with WaterAid & UNICEF

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Visual Created :

While the words “information”, “education” and “communication” have individual meanings, when grouped together as “IEC”, they are familiar to many fields of development sector. However, definition and scope of IEC can vary. IEC combines strategies, approaches and methods that enable individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities to play active roles in achieving, protecting and sustaining. It is the process of learning that empowers people to make decision, modify behaviors and change social conditions. Below are the examples of IEC developed by Vatsalya last year for community mobilization or generate awareness among stakeholder on the issue.

Under Breaking Silence project numerous of IEC

were developed. The year focused on Swatch

Bharat Mission (SBM) and Menstrual Hygiene

management.

In continuation to it to disseminate information

related to recently initiative of central

government Swatch Bharat Mission (SBM)

brochure, pamphlet, hoardings and wall

paintings were produced. To disseminate

information SBM brochure was developed

incorporating information related to its objective,

toilets construction manak and committees

related to sanitation.

Since sanitation is one of the major component of

program and WASH Brigades in intervention area

are formed to promote personal hygiene,

sanitation etc in them. A circle game was

developed depicting role and responsibility of

WASH Brigade.

MHM is a vital process for human existence still

considered as contaminated, dirty & impure.

Hence to spread prominent messages related to it

a table calendar was developed.

Pamphlet depicting impact of program was

developed under ReMiND program. These

pamphlets focus on its intervention and to

combat the challenges face by health department

in delivering services to communities.

Under advocacy initiatives of organization a

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pamphlet in collaboration of Uttar Pradesh State

Legal Service Authority (UPSLSA) was developed

on recent ACT for children POCSO (Protecting

Children from Sexual Offences Act). These

pamphlets were used to generate mass

awareness on aforementioned act among the

society and duty bearers.

Pocket diaries for Child Protection Committees

were developed. These diaries contains details of

district, block level officials and statuary bodies

for protection rights of children.

A pamphlet regarding quantity of food intake by

the children among the age group of 6 months- 2

years was developed. The pamphlet was a very

good tool to establish the understanding of the

community on the food intake by the children. It

was used for generating awareness among the

community.

Installation of hoardings at prominent places

such as Railway station, CMO office, Vikas

Bhawan, Collectorate, CHCs, Block offices etc in

Lucknow district on Sanitation. Wall paintings at

prominent places such as Vikas Bhawan, Block

offices, Schools, institutions, public places etc

were made on different issues such as sanitation,

health and child rights.

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Promoting Volunteerism :

Likewise of every year we receive interns from different institutions,

background and streams. Here is what our interns have to say about

their experiences in Vatsalya:

I believe true learning happens when we could actually implement

what seems just theory in classrooms. The internship at Vatsalya gave

me an opportunity to understand some very sensitive issues like

attitude of men towards menstrual hygiene management and its

consequential health effects. Understanding the perspective of men

initially was bit difficult but things become smooth after

encouragement from Dr. Neelam. The staff was always encouraging

and supportive and my wishes are always with them.

Preyanshu Gupta, MPH Tata Institute of Social Science, Mumbai

Result oriented approach in a conducive working environment- this is what defines my four weeks

internship at VATSALYA. It was most rewarding and great learning experience as it gave me extensive

exposure and helped me develop an attitude of perfection. It has really left a mark on my career scope by

giving me an insight in the field of social work and working for society at grass root level. To conclude, this

internship program proved a real catalytic agent which could transform me into an adapt and professionally

matured social work.

Ayush Saxena, Amity University Lucknow

Vatsalya has been an inspiring experience for me. It exposed me to ground realities and challenges in

program implementation. However it was admirable to learn about the solutions to them offered.

Sustainable solutions that helped improve the lives of people in all spheres be it in health, education or

sanitation. I learned, grew and evolved during my internship at Vatsalya. The energy and enthusiasm of staff

motivated and inspired me for doing something better for the rural population. Dr. Neelam is a person of

determination whose leadership at the organization gives a positive energy and direction to the

organization gives a positive energy and direction. I appreciate and hope that the organization carries on

with the constructive role it has been playing for bettering the lives of people.

Nadir Ayubi, MPH Tata Institute of Social Science, Mumbai

Last year 12 students visited Vatsalya from following institutes as intern :

lAmity University

lAwadh University

lBHU, Varanasi, UP

lKashi Vidya Peeth, Varanasi UP

lShakuntala Mishra Rehabilitation University, Lucknow UP

lTata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai, Mahrashtra

lTeerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad, UP

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Networking Organizations

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l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

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Swarg (Allahabad)

Navodaya Lok Chetna Samiti (Baghpat)

Manav Vikas Parishad (Barabanki)

Sakar (Bareilly)

Sampuran Gramin Prodoukit Vikas Prasikshan Sansthan (CSM Nagar)

Nehru Yuva Sansthan Tisi (Fatehpur)

Laxmi (Hardoi)

Asha Gramothan (Jhansi)

Parivartan Sewa Sansthan (Kanpur)

Ehsaas (Lucknow)

Grameen Vikas Sansthan (Mau)

Pushpangan Sewa Sansthan (Meerut)

Society of Age Industrial Education in India (Moradabad)

Tarun Chetna Sansthan (Pratapgarh)

Disha Social Organization (Saharanpur)

Rahee Foundation (Sitapur)

Funding Partner

o PLAN INDIA

o UNICEF

o CRS

o Water Aid

o UPSACS

o Action Aid

o IFPRI

Other Funding Support

o DASARA

o Omldyar Network India Advisors Private Limited (ONIA)

Board Member

1 Dr. P. C. Kannaujia President C-2084, Indira Nagar, Lucknow

2 Dr. Neelam Singh Chief Functionary/ Secretary

C-377, Church Road Indira Nagar, Lucknow

3 Mr. Udai Raj Treasurer B-10, H.A.L, Township, PO HALL Korwa, Amethi, Sultanpur

4 Dr. A K. Kumar Member C-361 Indira Nagar, Lucknow

5 Mrs. Malti Singh Member 16/639, Indira Nagar, Lucknow

6 Mrs. Beena Singh Member 7, Gopal Nagar, Lucknow

7 Mrs. Shakuntala Chauhan

Member A-743, Indira Nagar, Lucknow

ASSOCIATIONS

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Financial Detail of Last 3 years

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Registered under SRA 1860FCRA Registeration No. : 136550124C-377, Church Road Indira Nagar, Lucknow- Uttar PradeshEmail: vatsalyaa@rediffmail.co, info@vatsalya.org.inhttp: www.vatsalya.org.inVatsalya