Capacity Building and Orientation Workshops for media personnel have always been Vatsalya’s strong suit. Interacting with the media, apprising them of the ground realities, motivating them to highlight the issues in their articles and coverage and ensuring broad based dissemination of information pertaining to the Act and the issue have been the driving factors in these workshops. Major publication houses like Times of India and Hindustan have constantly kept the issue on the front pages in all the districts while many local publications, journals, magazines, etc. also play their part in ensuring that the public is well aware of the dismal scenario of Declining Child Sex Ratio and its consequences.
This collaboration with the media across the state has yielded high results as the coverage of the issue has become of prime import which in turn pressurizes the authorities into taking strict action against offenders and also in tightening the implementation of the Act in the state.

Round table on Family Planning with stakeholders UP State Health Mission, Directorate of Family welfare, IPAS, PATH, FPAI, PSI, IHAT, and community based religious leaders. The Recommendations were received and shared with the State Health Minister Shri Mayankeshwar Sharan Singh, and State Health Mission.

Red Talks workshop on 4th oct 24 at Lucknow featured insights from experts representing the State Health Mission, Directorate of Medical, Health and Family Welfare, State Mission Director, Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) Lucknow, WASH, UNICEF, Lucknow Nagar Nigam Solid Waste and Sanitary Waste Management, NHM UP. During the roundtable discussions, participants examined key challenges and provided valuable recommendations. Once implemented, these recommendations hold the potential to significantly shape future programmatic interventions aimed at addressing the pressing issues in menstrual health and hygiene management. The esteemed Chief Guest- Shri Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma, IAS, Principal Secretary, Medical Health Family Welfare & Education Department, Lucknow, UP, graced the occasion alongside other distinguished dignitaries such as Ms. Neha Jain, IAS, Managing Director, UPDESCO and Dr. Uma Singh Retd. HOD (Gynae), KGMU,Ms. Ekta Singh IAS, Additional Project Director “Samagra Shiksha Abhiyaan” The workshop, focused on menstrual health, product choices, and waste management, was a comprehensive discussion led by experts from various sectors, including government, healthcare, and NGOs.

The principal Secretary – Health GoUP emphasized four key points repeatedly-

• First, Male Participation
• The Urban Local Bodies need to have their capacity built up, which is very important.
• Monitoring of schools is crucial to ensure that they have toilets, and if they do, whether they are functional or not.
• Interpersonal communication-some IEC materials should be available for Menstruation just like IEC available for ANC checkups. Like Dastak Abhiyaan ASHA should visit each girl and make them aware do’s and dont’s of menstruation with IEC material.