Metropolis Healthcare, India’s second largest and the most respected pathology laboratory chain, successfully hosted the second edition of the Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH) Conclave in Mumbai. As part of its flagship CSR initiative ‘Too Shy to Ask’ (TSTA), the conclave reaffirmed the company’s commitment to advancing adolescent health awareness and empowerment.
This year’s conclave marked a shift from awareness to action, with adolescent girls emerging not just as participants, but as leaders within their communities. Bringing together over 100 participants, including adolescent leaders, NGO partners, Panchayat representatives, and healthcare experts—the platform highlighted how adolescents are increasingly taking initiative and engaging with local systems.
Over the past three years, the ARSH program has reached more than 3.25 lakh adolescents, with 1.29 lakh impacted in FY 2025–26 alone. The program is currently implemented across 1,017 villages, 371 Panchayats, 17 blocks, and 6 districts in Maharashtra and Uttarakhand, reflecting both expansion and deeper engagement in existing geographies.
A cornerstone of the initiative is the Kishori Manch, adolescent-led groups that provide safe spaces for learning, dialogue, and leadership. Today, over 15,000 Kishori Manch groups are actively driving community-level engagement, with more than 13,500 action plans implemented across key areas such as child marriage prevention, menstrual hygiene, education, and access to healthcare.
The program has also demonstrated encouraging behavioural outcomes. Knowledge levels related to reproductive health and life skills have increased significantly—from 25% to 89%—while over 1,200 referrals to local health systems indicate a positive shift in health-seeking behaviour among adolescents. In addition, the initiative has contributed to over 40 Panchayat-level resolutions and the development of adolescent-friendly village environments, strengthening community support systems.
Addressing the Conclave, Ameera Shah Promoter and Executive Chairperson, Metropolis Healthcare Limited said: “What we are witnessing today is far more than program impact—it is the emergence of a youth-led movement. When adolescents are given the right knowledge, platforms, and trust, they begin to influence not just their own futures, but the systems around them. At Metropolis, we believe sustainable change happens when communities lead it themselves, and these young girls are demonstrating exactly that.”
Dr. Duru Shah, Chairperson of Metropolis CSR and the driving force behind the TSTA and ARSH programs, said: “Adolescent well-being must move beyond awareness into agency. Through ARSH, we are seeing girls question norms, engage with local governance, and take informed decisions about their health and rights. They are not waiting for change—they are leading it. This is the foundation of a healthier, more equitable society.”
The platform also showcased powerful stories of change. In the tribal region of Palghar, adolescent leaders mobilised communities to prevent child marriage and drive collective action. In Mumbai, a visually impaired adolescent champion is advancing inclusive access to health information. In tribal Maharashtra, girls who once feared medical testing are now proactively seeking healthcare and encouraging peers to do the same—marking a shift from hesitation to informed health choices.
In the aspirational district of Nandurbar, a region with high anaemia prevalence, adolescent-led awareness initiatives helped overcome fear around testing and encouraged girls to seek timely screening and consultation. Additionally, initiatives such as the Hausla Project in Mumbai have enabled over 1,000 adolescent girls to move away from high-risk behaviours, empowering them with life skills, confidence, and pathways toward a more secure future.
The Too Shy to Ask initiative is a comprehensive adolescent outreach program designed to educate, empower, and support young girls through a dual approach—physical and digital outreach. The physical component, implemented under the ARSH initiative, addresses critical gaps in reproductive and sexual health education through on-ground engagement. This is complemented by the award-winning ‘Too Shy to Ask’ App, which provides confidential, science-backed health information supported by medical experts, with key contributions from advisory members, including Dr. Prakash Gurnani and Dr. Safala Shroff, whose inputs have strengthened the platform’s medical credibility and relevance.
The program is implemented in collaboration with NGO partners including Digantar Swaraj Foundation, Child Help Foundation, BharatCares, SHARP, Aastha Parivaar, Manthan Foundation, and Learning Forward India Foundation, ensuring strong grassroots execution and sustained community engagement.
The ARSH Conclave 2026 also enabled multi-stakeholder dialogue, bringing together adolescent leaders, NGO partners, and community influencers to share insights and strengthen collaboration. Discussions focused on scaling grassroots practices, building adolescent-friendly health systems, and integrating youth voices into local governance. The event also celebrated girl champions who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and courage in driving change within their communities.