Muskaan: Shattering silence, igniting change for young people in India
Muskaan Priya’s journey as a Peer Educator in Bihar reflects the power of youth leadership in advancing adolescent health. From raising awareness on sexual and reproductive health to training others across her district, Muskaan is creating a ripple effect of change—ensuring young people have the information, support, and voice they need to lead healthier lives.
Muskaan was identified as a Peer Educator in 2017 through EngenderHealth’s TARUNYA project, implemented in India, which provided adolescents with sexual and reproductive health information and a supportive, enabling environment for youth engagement and leadership. She chanced upon this opportunity when a close friend of hers had to forego her PE position. Initially reluctant, through the course of training and orientation, Muskaan began to enjoy the work and emerged as a promising Peer Educator.
Supporting Adolescents in Her Community
She supported the adolescents in her village by encouraging them to use counseling services and informing them about the various entitlements they could access under the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) program. Through her efforts, she created an approachable environment for her peers to share their troubles with her, while also building awareness on sexual and reproductive health topics.
“I want to ensure that all girls find their own voice.”
Muskaan’s journey took a significant turn during a rigorous 5‑day Training of Trainers (TOT) on RKSK program at the district level, where she honed her expertise and educated her peers and community on SRH related topics. Following the TOT, in 2022, she took on the role of Master Trainer/Youth Trainer at the local Sub‑Divisional Hospital. Since then, she has been training and supporting future cohorts of peer educators, ASHA workers and ANMs to provide adolescent health services.
Building Trust Among Adolescents
The pinnacle of Muskaan’s story arrived on the national stage when she, once a shy village girl, proudly represented Bihar at the esteemed G-20 National Event in 2023. Muskaan is one of the four Peer Educators who participated in the G-20 summit. Her role as a Peer Educator and the numerous times she consistently supported her peers, reinforced her belief in the importance of her contributions.
Her presence at the summit not only amplified the voices of young people from rural communities, but also showcased the critical role Peer Educators play in bridging gaps between health systems and adolescents—especially on topics often silenced by stigma.
Fighting for Access and Awareness
Muskaan says that throughout her journey so far, she has seen many women and girls succumb to entirely preventable diseases. These include issues caused by poor menstrual hygiene, unsafe sex practices, or lack of awareness. She has seen and experienced first‑hand how access to scientific and accurate information at the right time can help in saving lives.
“If such an incident [health scares, leading to superstitious speculations] can happen to me, despite all my work around adolescent health matters, then imagine how it must be for so many young girls in the village—they may even die before seeking treatment. I want to change that,” says Muskaan.
With unwavering determination, Muskaan continues to advocate for timely, accurate, and stigma-free health education. Her work is not only transforming how young people understand their health—it’s ensuring that fewer girls face the dangers of silence, shame, and misinformation.
Learn more about other inspiring youth leaders in Tarunya’s Legacy: 14 Portraits of Health, Hope and Change for Bihar’s Adolescents.