To raise awareness about menstrual hygiene and break the unnecessary taboo and stigma associated with the subject, a programme on Menstrual Hygiene Awareness & Sanitary napkin Distribution Drive was today organized by FICCI FLO JKL in collaboration with Jammu Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM). The day-long programme was organized at block Marh of the Mission to sensitise the Self Help Group (SHG)women about vital social and health issues, especially those related to personal health and hygiene.
Director Jammu Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM), Indu Kanwal Chib presided over the function as the chief guest, while Varuna Anand, Chairperson FLO JKL; Mridu Salathia, Additional Mission Director JKRLM Jammu, BPM Marh, Reena , Sarpanch of Flora Nagbani & Sarpanch of Ganguchak, Mrs Ruchika Gupta Sr. Vice Chairperson & Mrs. Chandni Kapoor Jt. Secretary FICCI FLO JKL,besides a large number of Self help group members promoted under JKRLM showed their participation. The awareness programme was organised as a post- event in connection with the Menstrual Hygiene Day being celebrated annually on May 28 to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management. Interacting with the SHG members, the Mission Director, JKRLM Indu Kanwal Chib said that the purpose of the programme was to join hands to break the silence, challenge the norms and prioritize menstrual hygiene as a fundamental right together to create a world where every women and girl has access to the resources, knowledge and support necessary to manage their periods with dignity, confidence and good health.
There is a strong need to raise awareness and eliminate stigmas surrounding menstruation and ensure access to safe and hygienic menstrual practices for all. Despite being an essential biological process it still remains shrouded in silence, misinformation and inadequate resources, leading to far reaching consequences for women and girls, impacting their health, education, livelihoods and overall quality of life, she added.
Highlighting the importance of such awareness programmes MD stated that in rural areas females are still ignorant about menstrual hygiene and lack of sanitary care regarding menstrual health, and such events are necessary to create awareness among women so that they don’t feel shy to discuss these issues. While as Chairperson FICCI FLO JKL Varuna Anand said that the purpose of the drive was to collectively make a joint outreach to the rural to impart knowledge & support necessary to manage periods with dignity and confidence to maintain good health. On the occasion, Dr. Madhu Khullar Gynecologist & Obstetrician (Ex Director Health Services of Jammu) spoke about hygienic practices during menstruation which can prevent infection in the reproductive and urinary tract of women,i importance of menstrual hygiene to control harmful infections. While Mrs. Kanupriya Garg( Certified Ayurvedic Nutritionist and Yoga Practitioner laid stress on a good and balanced diet imperative for every women’s wellbeing. During the programme, the SHGs were told about the science behind menstruation and the myths surrounding it. They were also taught about basic hygiene that should be maintained during periods. It helped in sanitizing them on various complications arising out of lack of menstrual hygiene. The programme concluded with the distribution of sanitary napkins amongst the women present.
