At Railway Children India’s Child Activity Centres, adolescent girls are gaining the knowledge, confidence and support they need to build brighter futures. Through dedicated Adolescent Girls Groups, girls aged 13-18 can learn about menstrual health, personal safety and wellbeing in a safe and supportive environment.
For many girls, these sessions provide a vital opportunity to discuss topics that are often considered taboo, helping them access information, build confidence and develop strong peer support networks.
Author: Amy Wright | Updated: 24th September 2026
The Adolescent Girls Group is a key part of Railway Children’s work with vulnerable young people in India.
The group creates a safe space where adolescent girls can openly discuss issues that affect their daily lives, including menstrual health, personal safety, education and wellbeing.
In many of the communities where Railway Children works, conversations about menstruation, health and safety can be difficult to have at home. As a result, some girls grow up without access to accurate information or support when they need it most.
Through regular group sessions, girls can share their experiences, ask questions and learn from both facilitators and their peers. By encouraging open discussion, the groups help girls make informed decisions, build resilience and gain confidence in navigating challenges both now and in the future.
The girls themselves help shape the conversations within each group, ensuring the sessions focus on the issues most relevant to their lives.
Some of the key topics discussed include:
Many girls have expressed a desire to learn self-defence skills, such as karate, to help them feel safer and more confident in their communities.
Poor street lighting and unsafe walking routes can increase the risks girls face when travelling home after dark. The group provides a platform for girls to discuss these concerns and consider ways to advocate for safer communities.
Access to clean, functional sanitation facilities remains a challenge for many girls. Broken or inadequate toilets can have a significant impact on health, dignity and school attendance.
By discussing these issues together, girls are able to identify solutions, support one another and raise awareness of the changes needed within their communities.
Improving menstrual health and hygiene education for girls
Menstrual health education is a vital part of Railway Children’s work with adolescent girls.
Many girls enter puberty with limited information about menstruation and menstrual hygiene. Some experience fear, confusion or embarrassment when they have their first period, while others face stigma that affects their confidence, education and wellbeing.
Through Adolescent Girls Group sessions, girls learn about:
By providing accurate information and encouraging open conversations, the sessions help challenge harmful myths and reduce stigma surrounding menstruation.
Girls are empowered to better understand their bodies, look after their health and access support when needed.
How peer support helped Harini return to school
Harini (name changed), aged 15, stopped attending school and the Adolescent Girls Group when she started menstruating.
Feeling embarrassed and unsure how to manage the changes she was experiencing, Harini gradually withdrew from both her education and social life.
The other girls in the group noticed her absence and decided to visit her at home. Through conversation, encouragement and peer support, they helped Harini regain her confidence and return to the group.
With the support of her peers, Harini has since resumed attending school and feels more confident about continuing her education and pursuing her goals.
Her story highlights the power of safe spaces and supportive friendships in helping girls overcome barriers and stay engaged in education.
Supporting vulnerable girls beyond the Child Activity Centre
Railway Children’s support extends beyond the Child Activity Centres through regular outreach visits in local communities.
These visits help reach girls who may not yet be participating in group activities and provide opportunities to:
Community outreach plays a crucial role in ensuring more girls can access the information, resources and support they need to thrive.
Helping girls build brighter futures
Every girl deserves access to accurate health information, a safe environment and opportunities to achieve her potential.
Through Adolescent Girls Groups and community outreach programmes, Railway Children India is helping adolescent girls build confidence, stay engaged in education and make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.
Thanks to the support of our partners and supporters, more girls are being empowered to overcome barriers, challenge harmful stigma and create brighter futures for themselves and their communities.
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