About 18% of adolescent girls in Jharkhand and 16% of adolescent girls in Rajasthan are married below the age of 18 years (NHFS-4). Early marriage leads to teenage pregnancies, discontinuation of education and a higher vulnerability to domestic violence and sexual abuse. Launched in early 2019 by the 10to19 Dasra Adolescents Collaborative, the 'Ab Meri Baari’ campaign is a call to mobilise adolescents and equip them with tools, data, skills and a platform to amplify their voices to government authorities and key stakeholders in their respective communities.
With the objective of driving social accountability, and increasing the efficacy and agency of adolescents, 300 Girl Champions were trained to design and conduct a social audit to assess schemes and services designed for them in the areas of health, education, sexual and reproductive health, nutrition, and safety.
From 21st September to 4th October, a bus journey across 3 states, hosting events in 7 locations amplified the stories, insights and experiences of the Girl Champions and engaged with adolescents, community, media, government to create awareness on adolescent issues.