New Delhi, June 7 (IANS): When her teenaged friend got pregnant in 2013 and approached her for help, it suddenly dawned on 22-year-old Anita Prasad that neither she nor any of her young friends and neighbours in south Delhi's Munirka neighbourhood had any clue about contraceptives or sexual reproductive health.

This rude awakening compelled the Delhi University arts student to get herself enrolled in free classes on reproductive health and family planning organised by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) at a nearby centre in R.K. Puram.

Prasad, who was already learning cutting and tailoring skills at the Yuva Chetna Kendra run by IPPF, learnt that the same centre also held classes on sexual health and family planning and decided to take the plunge despite the issue being a taboo.

"I knew I had to learn about it and also educate my young friends and cousins about the risks and precautions related to sexual issues," Prasad told IANS.

Prasad's first class was at the age of 20 and she is today a volunteer of the IPPF -- an NGO on sexual and reproductive health and rights active in 170 countries.

"Now, I am in a position to help others. Woman in my locality from all ages approach me for guidance. Over the years, more and more youngsters have become aware about their bodies and sexuality in our locality," said Prasad, who credited her parents for her achievements.

The Reproductive Health and Family Planning Centre in R.K. Puram, in its 40 years of existence, has reached out to around 315,000 people in th