Kissa Kahani

Discussing sexual and reproductive health can be awkward for young people, and is quite stigmatizing in certain parts of the world. In developing countries, gender inequalities can affect sexual and reproductive health outcomes, which can lead to health risks and other negative impacts for women and girls. Kissa Kahani is a multi-year project aiming to better understand the role of gender in adolescent reproductive health.

Kissa Kahani uses multimedia, storytelling, and data collection in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India to educate young people about sexual and reproductive health. The project promotes reproductive health and family planning by emphasizing the value of education and financial autonomy for girls. Participants develop skills to help navigate and complete school, thereby improving their long-term economic vitality.

Combining traditional curriculum with digital animated stories, games, and graphic novels, Kissa Kahani tools were developed in partnership with young people, who share their stories, concerns, and desires about issues related to sexual and reproductive health. These stories are then turned into accessible formats specifically designed to fit the educational and cultural needs of Indian adolescents, helping them learn about menstruation/menstrual hygiene practices, family planning, and sexual harassment prevention. Each health area has one curricular module supported by several multimedia tools. Participants begin each module with an animated digital story, followed by a graphic novel and games to support learning objectives.

Kissa Kahani is currently undergoing field testing to learn about its feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness among young people and stakeholders. Once tested and refined, Kissa Kahani will be implemented more widely. 

_{Read this report on Kissa Kahani’s narrative-based research in India, published in 2019}