India

Addressing Youth Health and Fertility

C-Change is using the SCALE approach in selected areas of Jharkhand, India to strengthen organizational networks among groups working to improve youth health and fertility, including specifically addressing healthy timing and spacing of pregnancy (HTSP).  

New Concept (C-Change regional partner in New Delhi, India) is leading the implementation activities, working to increase the sharing of innovative approaches and to expand the number of stakeholders taking action and around HTSP, youth health, and fertility.

In July 2009, New Concept facilitated a “Whole System-in-the-Room” (WSR) workshop as part of the SCALE® approach where 90 diverse stakeholders met for three days, strategized on the theme of youth health and fertility, and developed action plans. The workshop report (see Resources) provides details of the highly engaging process.

Growing out of the WSR workshop in July 2009, a group of participants, including leaders from civil society, academia, the media, and other sectors formed the Change Group to take the work of youth health and fertillity forward to next steps. New Concept worked with the Change Group and other stakeholders to launch the Jharkhand Youth for Change website. It serves as a central place for stakeholders to share information and coordinate action on youth health issues in Jharkhand. 

The Centre for Media Studies (CMS)--C-Change regional partner in New Delhi--is leading the evaluation of the SCALE® approach in India. In August 2009, CMS completed a baseline study with a household survey of approximately 2400 married couples in three districts of Jharkhand and in-depth interviews with stakeholders. It also carried out a social network analysis with selected stakeholders and with all participants at the WSR workshop in July 2009. CMS is conducting media workshops/meetings to share the baseline findings. It is also pulling together the media stories being written on HTSP--an indicator that shows the media’s  contribution to this activity and the importance of accurate information on the topic.