IVRS with skills programmes for adolescent girls launched

An interactive voice response system (IVRS) that aims to provide information about government-sponsored programmes that skill adolescent girls in Delhi and Jharkhand became operational Wednesday.

A phone-based facility, the IVRS seeks to give information on aspects of health, hygiene, nutrition, adolescent reproductive and sexual health (ARSH) and other skill-generating services offered by Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (SABLA).

It works on a call return method, where a caller would first leave a missed call on the IVRS number. Subsequently, the system would call back and offer a menu of entitlements under the SABLA program.

With its second component, the girl could leave a qualitative feedback about her experience with SABLA services, ensuring accountability on part of the officials delivering them.

SABLA, launched in 2010, is a union government programme to improve the nutritional and health status of adolescent girls in the age group of 11-18 years and empower them by providing education in life-skills, health and nutrition.

The IVRS was launched at Youth Connect: Leveraging Technology for Young People, a national learning conference to showcase innovations for skill development by leveraging technology that was organized by Centre for Catalyzing Change (C3), an NGO for youth empowerment.

"The aim of the conference was to feature such innovations developed by bright young minds that have made a difference at scale and demonstrate immense potential. The launch of the IVRS for SABLA services was a step in that direction," said Aparajita Gogoi, executive director, C3.

In order to avail the services, the beneficiaries can give a missed call on 9250500444 for Delhi and 9250500111 for Jharkhand.