Copyright newskarnataka
Bengaluru: A new survey by Bengaluru-based NGO IT for Change has revealed a major shift in attitudes towards menstruation and gender awareness among adolescent girls in Karnataka, following the implementation of its Kishori Club initiative across government schools. In August 2024, only 36.30% of girls surveyed believed that “nothing will happen to the pickle” if touched during menstruation—a question symbolising menstrual superstition. By March 2025, that figure had surged to 69.30%, marking a 33% increase and reflecting a significant decline in myths surrounding menstruation. Sharp rise in awareness, confidence, and equality The mixed-method study, conducted among 482 girls in the baseline and 579 in the endline survey, showed notable improvements across several indicators after seven months of the programme.According to IT for Change, there was a 50% increase in awareness about the importance of a balanced diet and a 33% reduction in menstrual superstitions.Additionally, 68% more girls developed an understanding of patriarchy and its manifestations, while 67% recognised intellectual and psychological changes during adolescence alongside physical development. A 66% rise was recorded in girls who understood the concept of life skills, while 31% more participants reported believing they could control their future. Furthermore, 19% more girls disagreed with stereotypical gender roles and rejected unrealistic beauty standards. About the Kishori Club initiative The Kishori Club forms part of ‘Hosa Hejje Hosa Dishe’ (A New Step in a New Direction), the flagship adolescent girl empowerment project by IT for Change.Launched in collaboration with the Department of Primary and Secondary Education and the Karnataka Residential Education Institutions’ Society (KREIS), the initiative aims to create safe spaces for adolescent girls within government high schools.Led by trained female teachers, the clubs facilitate open conversations about adolescence, gender, health, nutrition, patriarchy, body image, identity, life skills, and cyber safety. “The goal is to nurture confidence, aspiration, and critical thinking among young girls,” said an IT for Change spokesperson. “Through these discussions, girls learn to question restrictive norms and understand their rights.” Reaching over 18,000 girls across Karnataka During the 2024–25 academic year, the programme completed its second edition, successfully establishing 449 Kishori Clubs across Mysuru, Kalaburagi, Raichur, and Chamarajanagar districts.The initiative reached over 18,000 adolescent girls from socio-economically marginalised backgrounds. Field facilitators said the programme has not only improved awareness about menstrual and gender issues but has also enhanced communication and leadership skills among participants. Rap anthem amplifies girls’ voices Marking its 25th anniversary, IT for Change also released a rap song titled “Kishori Rap: Teenage Girls’ Message on Social Media Safety.”The song, written from the perspective of adolescent girls, delivers a powerful message on navigating social media responsibly and safely. It captures their experiences with filters, peer pressure, online expression, and solidarity, serving both as an anthem and a teaching tool.According to the NGO, the rap is inspired by conversations with more than 20,000 girls statewide and will now be used in Kishori Club training sessions to make discussions on digital literacy more relatable. Building an informed generation The NGO said the survey results highlight the transformative potential of school-based empowerment programmes. By focusing on awareness, empathy, and agency, Kishori Club has helped dismantle menstrual stigma and challenge harmful gender stereotypes among adolescent girls in rural Karnataka. “The confidence these girls display now is remarkable,” said a teacher facilitator from Kalaburagi. “They speak openly about health, equality, and their rights—something we rarely saw before.” The way forward Encouraged by the results, IT for Change plans to expand the Kishori Club model to more districts in Karnataka and share its framework with other state education departments. The NGO also aims to integrate digital literacy and cyber safety more deeply into the curriculum, ensuring that young girls are equipped to navigate both physical and digital spaces safely and confidently.
