WOMEN Hyderabad plans to hold a series of counseling sessions with teenage females from the slum areas of Hyderabad, with the aim of addressing the unique problems that face young women growing up in dire poverty in India.

The project will provide for four licensed counselors to hold sessions with impoverished young women over once a week for a two month period. The young teens face significant challenges, growing up in the slums of Hyderabad. They are often exploited for sex or labor, and have little opportunity for self-advancement. The counseling sessions will address these and other issues for groups of 20 girls at a time, ultimately reaching around 240 by the project’s end. Traditional counseling will be employed, as will games, debates, artistic undertakings, and other activities aimed at teaching valuable life skills and inspiring the young women to make healthy life decisions. Participants will also learn personal hygiene and healthy eating basics. The project cost will cover written materials dispensed to participants. WOMEN Hyderabad will enact the counseling program within two months of the project being fully funded.