IL&FS Education launches Sparsh

19 Oct 2010 , 05:27 PM

IL&FS Education and Family Planning Association of India launched Sparsh — a Sex Education Program through Mobile Phones. Sparsh is the world’s first sex education program promoted in a commercial format through leading telecom operators in India. 

Sparsh is delivered through mobile phones in a combination of IVR and SMS formats. There are 12 modules comprising of various topics like puberty, menstruation, masturbation, first time sex, contraception, erectile dysfunction, etc. Each topic comprises of FAQs lucidly explained in simple language by a male and a female voice. In addition to the FAQs, the module also has a list of myths and truths related to that topic just to reiterate facts about sexuality to the user.

Sparsh is currently targeted for the age group 13-30 years and is available in 12 Indian languages like Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, Urdu, Bhojpuri, Oriya and English and 6 international languages (under production) like Swahili, Portuguese, Arabic, Spanish, and Bahai.

The entire content has been researched and vetted by Family Planning Association of India and developed and marketed by IL&FS Education. The program is currently available for free on 022-42433531* for 15 days. Post this period the program will be available for a monthly fee on leading telecom operators in India and abroad. IL&FS Education is currently in talks with Airtel, Tata Indicom, Tata Docomo and Idea for the launch of Sparsh. 

Family Planning Association of India established in 1949 is a voluntary organization that pioneered the family planning movement in India. It is among the founder members and accredited member of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) which is a global leader in Sexual and Reproductive Health. FPA India provides a comprehensive package of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). 

Over a period, the association has worked in collaboration with Government of India and various State Governments. The association has established partnerships with national, international agencies and private sector. On an average annually three million SRH services are provided to one million clients through 1078 service delivery points through a strong network of 40 branches spread across the country in 17 states.

IL&FS Education & Technology Services Limited (IL&FS Education) is the Education Technology and Training arm of Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS), a pioneer in the development of physical and social infrastructure projects in Public Private Partnership formats. One of the pioneers in Technology enabled Learning in India; IL&FS Education focuses on building human capital of the country through interventions in the areas of: School Education, Teacher Development, Vocational Education and Professional Training.