{"id":2495,"date":"2023-03-31T12:01:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-31T16:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pathfinder.local\/?post_type=essay&#038;p=2495"},"modified":"2025-09-05T10:45:43","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T14:45:43","slug":"engaging-couples-engaging-communities","status":"publish","type":"essay","link":"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/impact-stories\/engaging-couples-engaging-communities\/","title":{"rendered":"Engaging Couples, Engaging Communities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong><em>Across India\u2019s Bihar and Maharashtra states, married couples are joining together to reach young couples with modern contraception.<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This story is part of a multi-part series on Pathfinder\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/projects\/yuvaa-youth-voices-for-agency-and-access\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"projects\" data-id=\"845\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Youth Voices for Agency and Access (YUVAA)<\/a> project:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Part 1: Engaging Couples, Engaging Communities <\/strong>\u2014 <em>Learn about YUVAA\u2019s program model, and see how it works in practice<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Part 2: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/impact-stories\/meet-vaishali-and-subash-yuvaakaars-for-life\/\" data-type=\"essay\" data-id=\"3398\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Meet Vaishali and Subash, Yuvaakaars for life!<\/a> <\/strong>\u2014 <em>Learn more about YUVAA\u2019s social entrepreneurship component, as well as its gender-synchronized approach&nbsp;<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Part 3: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/impact-stories\/yuvaas-digital-innovations\/\" data-type=\"essay\" data-id=\"3412\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">YUVAA\u2019s Digital Innovations<\/a> <\/strong>\u2014 <em>Learn about YUVAA\u2019s digital approaches, including specifically designed mobile apps, VR interventions, and social behavior change campaigns<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Part 4:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/impact-stories\/in-india-married-couples-teach-the-next-generation-about-contraception-and-family-planning\/\" data-type=\"essay\" data-id=\"4362\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">In India, Married Couples Teach the Next Generation About Contraception and Family Planning<\/a> <em>\u2014 A \u2018day in the life\u2019 of two Yuvaakaars, as they work in their own community to bring modern contraception to married couples across<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01375-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2496 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01375-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01375-525x350.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01375-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01375-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01375-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01375-600x400.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Seema Kumari, a Yuvaakaar with Pathfinder\u2019s Youth Voices for Agency and Access project, is on a mission to bring modern contraception to young couples in Bihar state, India.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Meet Seema. Once a tailor working in Delhi, today Seema is one of 1,200 Yuvaakaars, married couples working across India\u2019s Bihar and Maharashtra states to bring modern contraception to young married couples and first-time parents.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the last four years, Pathfinder\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/projects\/yuvaa-youth-voices-for-agency-and-access\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"projects\" data-id=\"845\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Youth Voices for Agency and Access (YUVAA)<\/a> project has worked to increase demand for, and uptake of, modern reversible contraception among young married couples and first-time parents, ages 15-24 years, in 10 districts of Bihar and Maharashtra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When Seema and her husband decided to return to Nalanda, a village in northern Bihar state, Seema\u2019s husband quickly took up poultry farming. But Seema worried about their future. \u201cI was a housewife\u2026but there was too much pressure. How was my husband going to take care of me, take care of our family, our two daughters? I wanted to help him. So, I started looking for a job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s when Seema met Shailendra Kumar, an Enterprise Leader with <a href=\"https:\/\/dharmalife.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dharma Life<\/a>, a local partner Pathfinder&nbsp;works with on the YUVAA project. Shailendra\u2019s job was to help recruit and train new Yuvaakaars, giving them the tools they needed to become changemakers in their communities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cShailendra asked me how I felt about working on family planning,\u201d says Seema. \u201cI said, I know nothing about family planning!\u201d Seema needed training, and she wanted to discuss this option with her husband. When she called him, he said, \u201cGo for it!\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Seema attended a six-day training conducted by YUVAA, where she learned about the project, products distributed by Yuvaakaars, family planning options, and how to provide referrals to local health centers. From that moment forward, Seema has worked as a Yuvaakaar to bring modern contraceptive information and methods to couples across her designated region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"2499\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01361-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2499 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01361-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01361-525x350.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01361-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01361-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01361-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01361-600x400.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Seema Kumari, a Yuvaakaar (left)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"2506\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01548-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2506 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01548-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01548-525x350.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01548-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01548-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01548-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01548-600x400.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Seema holds a group discussion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"2502\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01415-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2502 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01415-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01415-525x350.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01415-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01415-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01415-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01415-600x400.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Seema Kumari, a Yuvaakaar <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"2500\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01403-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2500 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01403-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01403-350x525.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01403-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01403-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01403-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01403-scaled.jpg 1707w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 683px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 683\/1024;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Seema Kumari, a Yuvaakaar (top step)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"2497\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01474-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2497 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01474-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01474-350x525.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01474-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01474-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01474-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01474-scaled.jpg 1707w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 683px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 683\/1024;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shilpa Rani, Anjay Raj, and daughter Anika Gupta with Seema Kumari, a Yuvaakaar <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-brand-color has-text-color\"><strong>The SEED Model \u2013 Supply, Enabling Environment, and Demand<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile has-primarygrey-background-color has-background\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 35%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A multi-pronged approach to providing modern contraception<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>YUVAA applied the SEED model to understand the broad range of issues that can affect young couples\u2019 reproductive choices and health and design activities to help them make healthy, informed choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What does the SEED model look like in practice? <\/strong>SEED stands for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Supply<\/strong>:&nbsp; Ensuring health services are of high quality, accessible, and affordable.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Enabling Environment<\/strong>: Addressing social, cultural, and gender norms, as well as the community context, to create an environment that is conducive to supporting sexual and reproductive health and rights.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Demand<\/strong>: Creating demand for services by increasing the knowledge and capacity of individuals, families, and communities to ensure their own sexual and reproductive health.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Pathfinder-SEED-Model-e1680703755437.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3388 size-full lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-brand-color has-text-color\"><strong>SUPPLY &#8211; Increased access to youth-friendly family planning counseling and services<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>YUVAA works with local health centers\u2014both private and public \u2014to be a part of a referral network that offers quality sexual and reproductive health services to young people. At these facilities, mentors like Winnie Kamble provide trainings to nursing staff, giving them skills to counsel on contraception, as well as helping to establish \u2018family planning corners\u2019 developed to ensure client privacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC02864-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2510 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC02864-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC02864-525x350.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC02864-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC02864-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC02864-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC02864-600x400.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Winnie Kamble, a mentor with the YUVAA project, holds up Pathfinder \u201cInformation, Education, and Communication\u201d materials, which are posted in local health facilities to illustrate best practices<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAt first, doctors were really biased against a variety of contraceptives,\u201d says Winnie Kamble, a mentor with the project. \u201cFew doctors, for example, would use injections like Depo Provera, and they wouldn\u2019t suggest these options. But over time, we saw changes, with repeated visits, and we worked to shift existing biases.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Winnie also worked with health facilities on best practices. \u201cBefore, needles weren\u2019t disposed of properly. We taught facilities about separating their waste. We used information, education, and communication materials and posted them in facilities.\u201d More than that, Winnie worked to establish \u2018family planning corners\u2019 in all of the facilities she worked with. These corners provide higher levels of privacy for clients, particularly young ones referred to the facilities by Yuvaakaars. \u201cWhen Yuvaakaars referred clients, they used our mobile app to refer to particular facilities. So when they submitted the referral, the doctors would know the referral was coming from YUVAA.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sarika Vashar, a mentee at Pishawikar Hospital, learned about family planning through YUVAA. \u201cIt\u2019s a good program,\u201d says Sarika. \u201cI\u2019ve received so much information and gained so much knowledge from the mentorship. Now, I share it with other colleagues.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"722\" data-id=\"2512\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/winnieandsari-1024x722.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2512 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/winnieandsari-1024x722.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/winnieandsari-525x370.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/winnieandsari-768x542.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/winnieandsari-1536x1083.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/winnieandsari-2048x1444.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/722;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Winnie Kamble, a mentor with the YUVAA project, at left, and at right, Sarika Vashar, who received mentorship from the YUVAA program at the Pishawikar Hospital<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"706\" data-id=\"2511\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC02879-scaled-e1680704451517-1024x706.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2511 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC02879-scaled-e1680704451517-1024x706.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC02879-scaled-e1680704451517-525x362.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC02879-scaled-e1680704451517-768x530.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC02879-scaled-e1680704451517-1536x1059.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC02879-scaled-e1680704451517.jpg 1707w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/706;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Winnie Kamble, a mentor with the YUVAA project<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-brand-color has-text-color\"><strong>Demand \u2013 Increase informed and empowered decision-making among young married couples on family planning<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>YUVAA provides information about contraception and reproductive health to young married couples, increasing their understanding of both and generating demand for contraceptive services. Yuvaakaars identify and engage young couples, using gender-transformative counseling focused on the benefits of gender-equitable relationships, couples communication, shared decision-making, and family planning. Yuvakaars bring a \u2018product basket\u2019 with them on their visits that includes commonly used household goods, as well as condoms and oral contraceptive pills, and they can sell these products while providing counseling and safe spaces for conversations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yuvaakaars reached 649,840 individuals (more than 300,000 couples) with family planning information\u2014couples like Shilpa Rani and Anjay Raj.\u201cFor me,\u201d says Anjay, \u201cfamily planning is about planning my future. It\u2019s about giving us options so we can have a good life.\u201d Through counseling with Seema, Anjay and Shilpa made a plan. \u201cWe made it together,\u201d says Anjay. They have daughter Anika, who is nine months, but plan to wait three to four years to have their next child. \u201cIf both are small,\u201d says Anjay, it will be hard to take care of them. One needs to grow, and then we can take care of another!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01496-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2514 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01496-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01496-525x350.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01496-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01496-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01496-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01496-600x400.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shilpa Rani, Anjay Raj, and daughter Anika Gupta<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen I started, I was always talking to Shilpa,\u201d says Seema. \u201cI also talked to her mother-in-law. \u201cFirst I connected with them\u2026when we had spent some time together, and when Shilpa\u2019s mother-in-law had developed some comfort with me, I started talking about family planning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While Anjay knew about family planning, Shilpa never learned about it. She learned from Seema through YUVAA\u2019s program. Says Shilpa, \u201cThe benefit of family planning is that it gives us togetherness, and happiness. When you are with your husband, you double your happiness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"2518\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01520-edited-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2518 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/1024;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shilpa Rani, Anjay Raj, and daughter Anika Gupta<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"941\" data-id=\"2513\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01475-scaled-e1677255792957-1024x941.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2513 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01475-scaled-e1677255792957-1024x941.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01475-scaled-e1677255792957-525x482.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01475-scaled-e1677255792957-768x705.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01475-scaled-e1677255792957-1536x1411.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01475-scaled-e1677255792957.jpg 1707w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/941;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Seema Kumari, a Yuvaakaar (top row), with Shilpa Rani, Anjay Raj, and daughter Anika Gupta (bottom row)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-brand-color has-text-color\"><strong>Enabling Environment \u2013 Creating a shift in perceived gender and social norms<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, YUVAA works to create an enabling environment for achievement of sexual and reproductive health, one where Yuvaakaars work within their communities to address restrictive social norms related to family planning and facilitate understanding, about the dangers of early&nbsp;childbirth and the merits of healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies. Yuvaakaars use digital platforms, including their \u201cHello Safal\u201d video series, to share messages related to gender equity and social norms. In the past year, Yuvaakaars held more than 50,000 of group meetings, reaching whole families, and sharing education materials, films, and even <strong>virtual reality<\/strong> interactions to reach their audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At one group meeting, Seema talked to a large group in a courtyard, including Pushpa and Balia Kumari, who both spoke of the changes happening over time, in terms of acceptance of family planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"2508\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01598-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2508 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01598-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01598-525x350.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01598-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01598-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01598-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01598-600x400.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Balia Devi and Pushpa Kumari attended a group meeting with Seema<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"2506\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01548-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2506 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01548-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01548-525x350.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01548-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01548-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01548-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01548-600x400.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Seema holds a group discussion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Pushpa Kumari, for one, believes thoroughly in family planning now that her and her community have more information about it. Married at 14, she didn\u2019t have reproductive autonomy. \u201cTen to fifteen years before,\u201d she says, \u201cthere was no knowledge about family planning.&nbsp; \u201cI myself have eight children\u2014six daughters and two sons. I had another son who died.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Balia Kumari also had a large family\u2014four sons and two daughters. \u201cMy younger son also has six children, three daughters, and three sons.\u201d But both feel family planning is critical. Says Balia, \u201cOur neighbors are happy with fewer children.\u201d Pushpa adds that the cost of living has increased, and having large families is difficult. \u201cSmall family, happy family,\u201d she laughs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pushpa and Balia weren\u2019t the only ones reached that day. One four-generation family was also attending: Ramsakhiya Devi, a great grandmother and over 100 years old, had worked as a health service provider when she was younger. With her that day were also her daughter, Mina Kumari, Mina\u2019s daughter, Ranjan, and Ranjan\u2019s daughter, Anchal. Ransakhiya had a very large family, but today, her granddaughter, Ranjan, plans for a smaller one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"2505\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01542-scaled-e1677256843971-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2505 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/1024;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ramsakhikya Devi <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"2509\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01613-scaled-e1677256892377-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2509 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01613-scaled-e1677256892377-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01613-scaled-e1677256892377-525x525.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01613-scaled-e1677256892377-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01613-scaled-e1677256892377-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01613-scaled-e1677256892377-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01613-scaled-e1677256892377-575x575.jpg 575w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01613-scaled-e1677256892377-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC01613-scaled-e1677256892377.jpg 1707w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/1024;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">At left, Ramsakhikya Devi (seated), Mina Kumari (in pink), and Ranjan and daughter Anchal. Each woman has had fewer children as contraceptive options and access to information about modern contraception has increased<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"1148\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC01558-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1148 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC01558-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC01558-525x350.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC01558-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC01558-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC01558-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC01558-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC01558-300x200.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Seema holds a group discussion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-brand-color has-text-color\"><strong>Achievements and sustainable platforms for progress<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the challenges faced from COVID-19 restrictions, YUVAA has made an impact. In order to create sustainability, YUVAA collaborated with local partners and state governments, and built <strong>out digital platforms<\/strong>&nbsp;to support increased access to quality health care in project communities. With the Indian Society of Perinatology and Reproductive Biology, YUVAA created a knowledge-exchange platform for private-sector providers in Maharashtra and Bihar. YUVAA advocated with state governments, implementing a Memorandum of Understanding with the State Health Society of Maharashtra, which allowed local authorities to issue letters of support for the project. At primary health centers, local medical officers supported data exchange between medical workers and Yuvaakaars. Finally, YUVAA built digital platforms to provide users with content on FP. As the YUVAA project comes to a close, the learnings continue. Today, Pathfinder is working to implement its digital innovations alongside the State Health Society of Bihar, integrating YUVAA\u2019s approaches into the State\u2019s larger <a href=\"http:\/\/brlps.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">livelihoods program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignfull is-stacked-on-mobile is-image-fill\" style=\"grid-template-columns:34% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media lazyload\" style=\"background-image:inherit;background-position:50% 50%\" data-bg-image=\"url(https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/DSC01625-683x1024.jpg)\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/DSC01625-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3397 size-full lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 683px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 683\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-brand-color has-text-color\"><strong>YUVAA&#8217;s Achievements<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Built out the full cohort of 600 Yuvaakaar couples (1200 men and women)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enrolled 400,659 couples in the two states in the program. These couples were mapped and targeted based on their number of children: either one, or none.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Counseled 649,840 individuals on healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pathfinder\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/safalcouple.org\/?page_id=5408\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Hello Safal<\/em><\/a> audio platform reached over 87,534 callers, who spent more than 604,450 minutes listening to content on contraception.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sold family planning products worth INR 1,677,898 \u2013 money that Yuvaakaars could then use to support their own personal goals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Generated 39,757 referrals to health facilities for further counseling and family planning services<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":2502,"template":"","class_list":["post-2495","essay","type-essay","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/essay\/2495","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/essay"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/essay"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2502"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2495"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}