Latest news with #PravatiParida
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Breastfeeding rooms at all public places soon: Dy CM Pravati Parida
BHUBANESWAR: Dedicated breastfeeding rooms will soon be set up at all public places in the state, informed deputy chief minister Pravati Parida on Thursday. Addressing mediapersons at an event held to mark the World Menstruation Day here, Parida said a decision in this regard was taken on Wednesday. 'Comfortable rooms where new mothers can nurse their children will be set up across all bus stands, railway stations and every other public spaces in the next two to three months. This will help women breastfeed comfortably without being stigmatised during travel,' she added. Earlier in March this year, the SC mandated that all state governments should establish facilities to help women breastfeed their babies without any hesitation, in public spaces and workplaces. The state government, on its part, had last year mandated establishment of breastfeeding rooms in all government and private offices in the state. It has written to all officials concerned for its implementation. 'All government schools and offices have been directed to install sanitary vending machines. Several government offices and higher educational institutes including Rama Devi University have already installed such machines,' the deputy CM said. She added that sanitary pads are now available for `1 at Jan Aushadhi Kendras and awareness is being created among girls to normalise their use and eliminate associated social stigma. 'Earlier, women in villages were not aware of use of sanitary pads. This social stigma associated with it can be abolished when family members buy sanitary napkins just like grocery items,' Parida said.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Men must be educated to help break stigma on menstrual health: Odisha dy CM Pravati Parida
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Wednesday said men must be educated to help break the stigma on menstrual health. While inaugurating a conclave on 'Menstrual Health & Hygiene 2025', organised by IIT Bhubaneswar here, Parida said, "Menstruation, a natural biological process, has long been shrouded in taboo, forcing generations of women to suffer in silence. It's time we break this silence, and initiatives like this conclave are key to driving change." Highlighting the need for cultural transformation, she said, "The day sanitary napkins become part of a family's monthly grocery list or a brother's gift to his sister, we will witness real progress in women's empowerment. Men must also be educated on menstrual health to help break the stigma." Access to safe menstrual solutions in workplaces and educational institutions is essential, Parida said. She further stressed the importance of sustainable use and disposal of menstrual products. "Women and girls must be informed and empowered to claim their right to menstrual health and hygiene," the deputy chief minister added. Project CARE (Campus Action for Reusable Essentials), an initiative to promote the use of reusable menstrual products among school-going girls and college-going women, was launched on the occasion with the distribution of eco-friendly reusable menstrual pads to women from underserved communities. Parida also unveiled two sanitary napkin vending machines on the IIT campus. "Through our Research and Entrepreneurship Park and the 100 Cube Startup initiative, we are advancing innovative, scalable solutions -- from biodegradable sanitary products to AI-powered health tools -- that address real societal needs," IIT Bhubaneswar Director Shreepad Karmalkar said. Stating that menstrual health is not just a women's issue, it's a societal imperative, Karmalkar highlighted that at IIT Bhubaneswar, the provision of work from home for two days during periods has been made for PhD scholars. Willian Hanlon Jr, chief of field office UNICEF Odisha, stressed the importance of partnerships in breaking stigma and enabling access to menstrual hygiene products and education. "Menstruation is not a curse. It is a completely natural process. It is life-affirming, and it deserves to be managed with safety, dignity, and pride," Hanlon said. "As we commemorate Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025 , let us pledge that no girl in Odisha, or anywhere, misses school, loses confidence, or suffers in silence because of menstruation. Let us create a future where periods are managed with pride, not shame," he added.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Men must be educated on menstrual health, says Odisha Dy CM Pravati Parida
BHUBANESWAR: Deputy chief minister Pravati Parida on Wednesday called for access to safe menstrual solutions at workplaces and educational institutions as an essential move. Speaking at the inauguration of 'Project Period: Sanitation, Health & Hygiene, and Environment (SHE)' initiative by IIT Bhubaneswar's Research & Entrepreneurship Park on the day, Parida said there is a need for cultural transformation as far as menstrual awareness is concerned. 'The day sanitary napkins become part of a family's monthly grocery list or a brother's gift to his sister, we will witness real progress in women's empowerment. Men must also be educated on menstrual health to help break the stigma,' she added. The deputy chief minister launched Project CARE (Campus Action for Reusable Essentials), an initiative to promote the use of reusable menstrual products among school and college-going girls, and distributed eco-friendly reusable menstrual pads to women from underserved communities. Parida also unveiled two sanitary napkin vending machines on the campus. 'Menstruation, a biological process, has long been shrouded in taboo, forcing generations of women to suffer in silence. It's time we break this silence, and initiatives like these are key to driving change,' she said.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Men must be educated on menstrual health: Dy CM
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Wednesday said men must be educated to help break the stigma on menstrual health. While inaugurating a conclave on 'Menstrual Health & Hygiene 2025', organised by IIT Bhubaneswar here, Parida said, 'Menstruation, a natural biological process, has long been shrouded in taboo, forcing generations of women to suffer in silence. It's time we break this silence, and initiatives like this conclave are key to driving change.' Highlighting the need for cultural transformation, she said, 'The day sanitary napkins become part of a family's monthly grocery list or a brother's gift to his sister, we will witness real progress in women's empowerment. Men must also be educated on menstrual health to help break the stigma.' Access to safe menstrual solutions in workplaces and educational institutions is essential, Parida said. She further stressed the importance of sustainable use and disposal of menstrual products. 'Women and girls must be informed and empowered to claim their right to menstrual health and hygiene,' the Deputy Chief Minister added. Project CARE (Campus Action for Reusable Essentials), an initiative to promote the use of reusable menstrual products among school-going girls and college-going women, was launched on the occasion with the distribution of eco-friendly reusable menstrual pads to women from underserved communities. Parida also unveiled two sanitary napkin vending machines on the IIT campus. 'Through our Research and Entrepreneurship Park and the 100 Cube Startup initiative, we are advancing innovative, scalable solutions -- from biodegradable sanitary products to AI-powered health tools -- that address real societal needs,' IIT Bhubaneswar Director Shreepad Karmalkar said. Stating that menstrual health is not just a women's issue, it's a societal imperative, Karmalkar highlighted that at IIT Bhubaneswar, the provision of work from home for two days during periods has been made for PhD scholars.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Govt to frame policy to address mental health needs
Bhubaneswar: Odisha govt Wednesday announced drafting of a comprehensive mental health policy and setting up of counselling centres across the state amid the rise in mental health issues. Deputy CM Pravati Parida announced this during the 'Illness to Wellness' summit on mental health and wellness, where experts underscored the urgent need to prioritise mental health alongside physical secretary Manoj Ahuja said the ensuing policy aimed to create an institutional framework to identify red flags early and reach out to vulnerable groups, especially the youth and elderly. "We are witnessing an alarming increase in mental health cases triggered by sedentary lifestyles, technological overexposure, changing family structures, and deteriorating inter-personal relationships. In this era of abundance, learning to say 'enough' is key," he that it is high time to emphasise on mental health, Parida said, "As we work towards building a Viksit Bharat, the good mental health of citizens must be an essential part of this journey. A mentally-resilient population is essential for a healthier, stronger nation."She highlighted the shortage of mental health professionals and said, "We don't have enough seats in medical colleges for psychiatrists. Everyone talks about physical health, but mental health remains ignored. It's high time we address this imbalance." As part of its plan, the govt will observe Mental Health Week and run grassroots campaigns to break the stigma around mental summit was attended by a diverse group of participants, including healthcare professionals like psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists; social workers, educators, including teachers, counsellors, and administrators; industry leaders and corporate professionals responsible for workplace wellness, parents, students, researchers, caregivers, and life and wellness the summit, various key issues were deliberated upon, including recognising early signs of common mental health conditions for early intervention, breaking stigma through open dialogue, exploring the mind-body connection and how physical activity impacts brain health, effective ways to manage stress, anxiety, and depression, and strengthening mental health through mindfulness, social support, and professional Odisha's population projected to reach 4.91 crore by 2036 and the proportion of elderly expected to rise to 13.5% by 2026, speakers called for a balanced approach to the needs of both younger and older citizens.
