Maharashtra to launch scheme for adolescent girls

Mumbai, Feb 27 (PTI) Intending to make out-of-schooladolescent girls self-sufficient by providing vocationaltraining and supplementary nutrition, Maharashtra Governmentwould soon launch a scheme ''Sabala''.

"Sabala (strong) would change lives of out-of-schooladolescent girls by giving them a fair chance to learn socialand practical issues," Vandana Krishna, Secretary, Women andChild Welfare Department, told PTI.

The girls between the age group 11 and 18 years wouldbe given training on how to maintain health and hygiene,information about adolescence-related problems and also familyplanning. These girls would also get iron supplements sincemany of them are usually anaemic, Krishna said.

They would be taught practical works like how to dealwith banks, open a savings account and how to file an FIR, shesaid.

"The adolescent girls are future wives and mothers andthe training would definitely change their lives andsubsequently that of their families."The state would provide supplementary nutrition toabout 5,000 such girls through 200 anganwadis (women