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On the occasion of World Menstrual Hygiene Day, Smartpur teams across 100 locations in India ensured awareness, tackled myths and taboos surrounding menstruation through discussions and activities both online and offline.
The team of Kurumalai, TamilNadu, showed solidarity by wearing bracelet made up of beads. They further discussed about the importance of Menstrual Hygiene Day along with the reason as to why it is celebrated on May 28. The adolescent girls also shared about their first menstrual cycle.
Menstrual Hygiene Day was celebrated in a unique manner at the Smartpur Chirala, Andhra Pradesh centre where the girls were not just empowered with right knowledge but they ensured by promising that they will further share the do’s & don’ts of menstrual hygiene with all the females such as their mother, teacher, sisters and friends so that everyone can stay safe and healthy. These girls have emerged as our Digital Warriors who have set on a mission to break the taboo around Menstruation and make the world realise periods are normal.
“Before being a daughter, wife or mother…I am a female. So it is my prime responsibility to take care of my menstrual hygiene by not just eating healthy but making sure that I take all precautionary measures such as changing pads atleast 2-3 times a day” said Jaya (name changed) one of the beneficiaries who attended the Awareness workshop on the occasion of Menstrual Hygiene Day conducted at Smartpur Choutuppal, Telangana Hub centre. She also educates her son on menstrual hygiene as she believes in gender equality and youth are the front runners who can bring a massive change.
The Smartpur Kollegal, Karnataka, team ensured that the adolescent girls are made aware about the menstrual hygiene management. Some of them also shared their experience primarily focusing on their first menstrual cycle and how their mother and teachers came forward to support them. Similarly, the women from poor communities who have less access to resources face huge difficulties often leading to infections. The Smartpur team of Alwar, Rajasthan, not only generated awareness around menstrual hygiene management but also distributed sanitary pads.
Further, Smartpur team of Vizag, AndhraPradesh, are reaching community people by increasing access to scientific knowledge. They raised awareness about the importance of healthy menstrual hygiene management, creating a culture that welcomes discussion and how adequate education for women and girls is of equal importance. The Healthpreneur of Vizag Smartpur team said that the Indian society is comparatively new to openly discussing menstrual hygiene practices. “If I remember correctly, it was difficult to find a bin in washrooms to dispose off the pads. From there we now are seeing specially designed pad disposal bins. It’s our responsibility to understand the use and develop safe practices.”
The Smartpur team of Ghazipur organised an activity with around 24 adolescent girls. Despite the lockdown, all the girls did the activity at their home led by Ms.Pooja Pandey, our health educator. They were informed about the Menstruation Cycle through a Zoom call. The girls shared their experience in the form of paintings by depicting the challenges faced by them.
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