DIGNIFIED ENGAGEMENT AND EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM
FOR ADOLESCENTS (DEEPA)

Shramika Vikasa Kendram (SVK) has been working in close collaboration with UNICEF for a long time to address children’s issues in (unified) Mahabubnagar and Kurnool districts with primary emphasis on combating child labor and child marriage. The organization joined hands with UNICEF to launch an intervention under the banner of DEEPAM (Dignified Engagement and Empowerment Program for Adolescents in Mahabubnagar district) in 14 mandals of newly carved Wanaparthy district from February 2017 onwards with three objectives, namely:

• Adolescents, as individuals or groups, have agency and resources to make purposive-transformative choices, maximize opportunities and make their voices heard
  
  
• Families and communities support adolescents to avail services and resources that are essential for their growth and development
  
  
• Relevant sectors contribute to the establishment and promotion of adolescent programs and policies and ensure quality implementation

The project had been formally launched on February 2017. The project started with the staff members undertaking field visits with the objective of studying the child rights situation and the status of adolescents. An action plan for community interventions was drawn up on the basis of the outcomes. The project sought to establish Wanaparthy district as a role model for adolescents’ empowerment.

DEEPA was a comprehensive intervention with a rights centric approach and had 3 basic approaches – educating adolescents on their rights, empowering adolescents by federating them, and convergence with government departments.

One of the major gap areas that UNICEF had noted in the district scenario was dropout at the Class 10 level. The project aimed at giving them second chance education through Open stream. Research has proven that focusing on their education could help address related issues such as health, employment, child marriage, teenage pregnancies, etc. Preventing child marriage would lead eventually to reduction in infant and maternal mortality. Though the project had no component of vocational training efforts would be made to link adolescents to the National Skill Development Corporation, Confederation of Indian Industry, and corporate firms.

The broad vision and framework of the project, for UNICEF was developing a 10-component life skill package for adolescents at the Upper Primary/High School level. This would promote decision making among them, protect them from abuse and exploitation, and enable them to continue their education unhindered. The District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) had a vital role to play in the entire process.

CORE DETAILS OF THE PROJECT