India has the largest adolescent population in the world, with 253 million individuals, meaning one in every five people is between 10 and 19 years old (MHFW). The country stands to gain socially, politically, and economically if these adolescents are kept safe, healthy, and educated, and are equipped with the information and life skills necessary to support ongoing national development.

Both adolescent girls and boys often lack access to critical information on issues impacting their lives and have limited opportunities to develop the competencies necessary for active participation. Adolescent girls, in particular, face heightened vulnerability due to harmful social norms that devalue them, which restricts their freedom and impairs their ability to make decisions about their education, work, marriage, and social relationships.

Our focus is on enhancing their participation in career choices, life decisions, and access to essential services in health, education, and safety. High dropout rates among girls before completing secondary education are often due to household responsibilities, child marriage, child labor, and inadequate sanitation facilities at schools. Child marriage, a deeply ingrained social norm, starkly highlights widespread gender inequality and discrimination. Adolescent girls who become pregnant face increased risks of maternal and new-born health complications and mortality.

The goal is to institutionalize adolescent participation through formal platforms at the block, district, state, and national levels, as well as through informal youth-led networks. To strengthen this participation, it is essential that both girls and boys are equally involved. Engaging peer support leaders is crucial for effective adolescent participation and skill development. Additionally, efforts will focus on providing adolescents with opportunities to develop employable skills, both within and outside of school settings.