[Music] Hi, I'm Swati and I'm going to tell you a story. Story of millions of Indian rural women. I visited villages as a science communicator had you know a lot of energy, enthusiasm and hope to bring more girls into STEM education.But I what I found there uh was pretty disappointing and shocking. There were no girls there. It was anybody's guess why they were not there.Well, girls were there on roads, in houses, in homes, uh playing under the tree, but not in schools. And uh then I realized that there is ...

Adolescent Health & Sex Education - Highlights the lack of comprehensive sex education for young girls, leading to shame, stigma, anxiety, and fear surrounding puberty and bodily changes [1][2][3] - Emphasizes the need for basic genital organ education alongside general anatomy education to reduce misconceptions and promote body positivity [2] - Discusses the accidental exposure of teenagers to pornography, with studies showing that over 58% are introduced to it accidentally [2] - Points out the societal pressure on women to grow up quickly, contrasting with the scientific reality, and the curiosity girls have about their bodies [2] - Addresses misconceptions about virginity, periods, and fertility, highlighting the pressure on girls to prove their virginity [3] Societal & Cultural Impact - Notes that society collectively makes women grow up really fast, creating body image issues and lowering self-esteem due to genetic variations like body hair [2] - Mentions the lack of proper knowledge regarding pubertal changes, nocturnal emissions, masturbation, and myths during teenage and adulthood [2] - Highlights the societal emphasis on marriage and childbearing without adequate exploration of individual preferences and identities [2][3] - Discusses the restrictions and threats imposed on young girls who explore their bodies, such as being told they won't get married [3] Health Risks & Consequences - Underscores that the lack of understanding around basic human anatomy and education leads to issues like unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, and herpes [3]