Healthy Adolescent Project in India

One-fifth of India's one billion citizens are between 10 and 19 years of age.  Almost 40 percent of young women between 15 and 19 are sexually active.  With a median age at marriage of only 16 years, most young brides have children in their adolescence, putting their health and personal development at risk.

To improve the reproductive and overall health of young people in the West Bengal region of India, FHI formed the Healthy Adolescent Project in India (HAPI) in partnership with the Family Planning Association of India, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), and the Bharat Scouts and Guides Association (BSG).  BSG is the largest youth network in India, with three million young members and vast experience in youth education that makes it an ideal vehicle for disseminating reproductive health information.

Launched on World AIDS Day 2000 and funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, HAPI has trained 900 peer educators to share health information with other youth.  Those who successfully complete the HAPI program and reach the goal of 25 peers receive a badge and certificate.  The program is available in English and all the local languages of participants.  HAPI is modeled after FHI's successful Health of Adolescent Refugee Project (HARP), a peer education pilot project FHI conducted with WAGGGS from 1997 to 2000 to improve the health of adolescent girls living as refugees in Egypt, Uganda, and Zambia.  If HAPI is effective, FHI hopes to replicate it throughout the 140-country network of WAGGGS.