Latest news with #WASH
Hans India
3 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Tata Trusts Rewrites Period Narratives with Bold New Menstruation Campaign: Reframes Periods as a Sign of Health, Not Fertility
In a bold departure from long-held societal narratives, Tata Trusts has unveiled a unique campaign to reframe how India understands menstruation. Every month, roughly 355 million people in India menstruate. Yet, the subject remains shrouded in silence and shame and is linked to impurity, drawing societal stigma and burdened by age-old beliefs that link periods to fertility and marriage. In fact, 71% of Indian girls are unaware of menstruation until they experience their first period. For generations, this silence has shaped how menstruation is understood, reducing it to a marker of sexual maturity or the end of childhood, rather than recognizing it as a normal biological function. This campaign flips that narrative, inviting families to recognize menstruation for what it truly is: an indicator of health. Rooted in deep ethnographic research conducted across rural regions in Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, this campaign is anchored in a combination of Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) across seven states, with a series of cause-driven campaign films and development interventions on-ground that shift the ways in which communities understand, feel and talk about menstruation. Given the universality of the insight, the campaign also has a strong digital presence. The research explored women's lived realities of restrictions in matters of personal hygiene and healthy menstrual practices. It also uncovered social norms surrounding menstruation, with mothers avoiding the conversation, fearing that their daughters will be seen as 'ready for marriage' – a worry also echoed by Anganwadi Workers. Men shared limited menstrual awareness, often seeing it through the lens of household disruptions – like how it would affect women's cooking. However, they did show support when prompted, including getting their wives pads and taking them to the doctor when needed. Shaped by a talented team of behavioural researchers and grassroots and creative partners, this campaign seeks to empowers girls to remain children even after their first period, and women to feel confident and well-informed, with nothing left to fear or hide about this natural monthly process. Divyang Waghela, Head – Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Tata Trusts, commented, 'The lack of reliable access to water and private spaces – whether to bathe, change, or dispose pads – makes it difficult for girls to manage their periods with safety and dignity. Lack of infrastructure and agency compound this problem. Built on the Trusts' rich work in menstrual health and hygiene, and considering how deeply entrenched stigmas remain, we strive to tackle barriers around infrastructure, belief systems, and environments perpetuating them. Through this, girls can view periods as a normal part of health, not something to be hidden away.' These insights laid the foundation for Tata Trusts' campaign that presents a disruptive, perspective-shifting goal: for periods to be seen as a marker of health and not just sexual maturity. At the heart of the campaign, running across the series of films as a common thread, is a catchy jingle, 'Maheena Aa gaya' (In this case, Maheena – month – refers to Periods, translating to, 'I've got my periods'). It acts as a cultural bridge, bringing to life everyday scenarios where menstrual symptoms, whether cramps, fatigue, or mood changes, are acknowledged openly by both men and women only as a lakshan (symbol) of health and nothing more. By making these conversations feel comfortable, respectful, and even light-hearted, the campaign aims to de-stigmatize menstruation and create space for empathetic dialogue within families. Deepshikha Surendran, Head of Brand and Marketing Communications, Tata Trusts, said, "Through this social behaviour change communication campaign, using on-ground interventions and awareness films, we're encouraging communities to see periods as a barometer of health and to respond with empathy and not misplaced ideas of sexual maturity. 'Maheena aa gaya' is more than just flipping a calendar page – it's a symbolic call to action, urging families to rethink what a period means, which we hope will nudge a generational, cultural shift in how menstruation is supported.' The hero film is supported by emotionally resonant films specific to key segments of audiences that shape everyday beliefs around menstruation. In one, a mother lovingly guides her daughter through her first period, explaining that it's simply biology, not a sign of readiness for marriage and that there is nothing to fear or be ashamed of. Another depicts a husband ensuring his wife's needs during menstruation are met without waiting for her to ask because periods are not just her problem. In another film, a mother-in-law gently supports her daughter-in-law, encouraging her to rest and eat iron-rich food while reminding her, "Yeh siraf sehat ka ek lakshan hai' (this is only about health). These stories, told with warmth and emotional honesty, in real settings, replace fear with familiarity and shame with science. To ensure that the message percolates into conversations at a societal level, another film targeting Asha didis and other health workers, who are the bridge between the community and healthcare system, has been developed. "We're not asking people to radically shift their thinking – simply, to understand that a period is just a 'lakshan' — a symptom, like hair loss. Capturing this, we created a simple, light film that we shot in people's aangans and homes, with a powerful, memorable song with a hook rooted in Indian pop culture, offering an important reminder: 'Maheene ko sirf sehat se jodo' (link that time of the month – menstruation – to only health),' added Creative Director Keigan Pinto The films can be viewed across Tata Trusts' digital platforms, including on YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Sultanpur girl lifts the veil of secrecy, fights for menstrual dignity
Lucknow: Every Saturday afternoon during a menstrual hygiene management club meeting, the dusty blackboard at Sultanpur's govt high school in Kanakpur Shikva village transforms into a vibrant canvas of ideas. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Here, 16-year-old Shraddha Tiwari and her fellow club members gather to discuss menstrual hygiene and create informative and innovative communication materials on the topic. Powering an outreach that includes not just girls but also boys, mothers, male family members, and teachers, Shraddha has become a revered peer educator and menstrual health advocate, impacting hundreds of lives. Shraddha's journey began in the stifling silence of her own home. "My mother handed me a piece of cloth and instructed me not to speak about this to anyone," she recalls in a voice still laced with the memory of confusion and isolation. She adds, "And then, the 'don'ts' piled up – no temples, no pickles, no washing hair – a litany of restrictions that painted menstruation as a curse, not a natural process." This wasn't just her story. It was the story of Ragini, who thought she had a disease; of Roshni, who was forced to miss a week of school every month; of Swati, who was caught in the throes of pain during Diwali, clueless and alone. It was also about Anukalp, watching his sister withdraw, her joy replaced by a silent, inexplicable sadness. The winds of change arrived in the form of the Swachh Garima Vidyalaya initiative and a teacher named Sangeeta Gupta, who dared to write "menstruation" on the blackboard. That word, once taboo, became a catalyst. Shraddha, shy and reserved, found her voice. "That day, I realised that educating my peers could empower them," she says. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Shraddha's initiatives are as practical as they are revolutionary. Pad-making workshops, where even boys learn to create cloth pads, empower girls with choice and independence. Informative charts and posters, created by her peers, demystify the process. And then, there's the open dialogue, the raw, honest conversations that break down barriers and dismantle myths. "As a male teacher, I found it challenging to address menstruation. Seeing Shraddha speak openly was an eye-opener," says Ram Teerath Rajak, head teacher of a neighbouring school. Recognising the crucial role mothers play, Shraddha initiated community-level interactions, educating them about menstrual hygiene and dispelling age-old myths. She unveiled the dangers of using unsuitable cloth, the importance of proper disposal, and the need for medical guidance. "Now, Girls no longer fear asking their fathers or brothers for menstrual products," says Sangeeta. Swati, a workshop participant, said, "I learned that only muslin cloth should be used. Before this, my mother would tear cloth from anything – even terrycloth and synthetic fabrics. This would often lead to rashes and itching." Kumar Bikram, WASH Officer, UP, says, "Shraddha's story exemplifies essence of Swachh Garima Vidyalaya: empowering girls to share knowledge on menstrual hygiene and health practices."
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Flood rehabilitation housing project: Aseefa, World Bank MD distribute ownership rights certificates to women homeowners
HYDERABAD: Anna Bejerde, Managing Director of the World Bank, accompanied by First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, and World Bank Country Director Najy Benhassine, visited the flood rehabilitation housing project in village Nazar Muhammad Laghari, Shaheed Benazirabad district. This project, under the Sindh Peoples Housing for Flood Affected (SPHF) programme, aims at rebuilding homes destroyed by the 2022 devastating floods. During the visit, First Lady Aseefa Bhutto and MD Anna Bejerde distributed ownership rights certificates to women homeowners and met with female members of the Village Reconstruction Committee (VRC), who showcased their handicraft work. The committee briefed that 32 homes were destroyed in the village, all of which have now been rebuilt. Anna Bejerde reaffirmed the World Bank's commitment to supporting the Sindh government in flood recovery efforts, praising the resilience of the local people and the leadership's dedication. She emphasised that sustainable community-level rehabilitation is achievable despite climate change challenges. First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari highlighted that granting women ownership rights under the SPHF project is a historic socio-economic empowerment initiative by the Sindh government, significantly benefiting rural women. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah noted that over 2.4 million homes were destroyed in the 2022 floods. The WB initially provided $500 million to kick-start the recovery, later increasing funding by $450 million over two years. This support has helped construct 778,000 homes and allocated $54.92 million for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) benefiting 66,691 families in 1,000 villages. SPHF CEO Khalid Mahmood Sheikh briefed that in Shaheed Benazirabad alone, 104,822 homes were destroyed; about 60,000 are under construction while nearly 40,000 are completed. Across Sindh, over 111,000 disabled persons are receiving accessible homes, and more than 800,000 women have opened bank accounts for the first time, promoting financial inclusion. The programme has provided safe shelter to over 6 million people and created more than one million new jobs. This visit underscores the ongoing collaboration between the WB and Sindh government to restore livelihoods and empower vulnerable communities affected by climate-induced disasters. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Arab News
24-04-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Sindh CM, Islamic Development Bank discuss housing, women empowerment projects
ISLAMABAD: The chief minister of Pakistan's southern Sindh province discussed housing for flood affectees and women empowerment projects with a high-level delegation of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), state-run media reported on Thursday. The IsDB is financing $200 million for the reconstruction of houses for those affected by the catastrophic 2022 floods. Torrential rains and melting glaciers triggered flash floods across the country that killed over 1,700 people and caused damages worth $33 billion, according to Pakistan's estimates. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah met an IsDB delegation led by its Regional Director, Dr. Walid Abdelwahab, to discuss the Sindh Flood Emergency Housing Reconstruction Project (SFEHRP) and the Sindh Integrated Health and Women Empowerment Project. Both projects involve collaboration with the World Bank, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said. 'The chief minister welcomed Dr. Abdelwahab and expressed gratitude for the IsDB's support in rebuilding homes for the flood-affected population,' APP reported. Shah said the Sindh government, in partnership with international collaborators and NGOs, is actively implementing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) projects in various districts to improve public health, particularly in flood-affected and underserved communities. 'In response to the chief minister's request, the IsDB agreed to provide additional support for the WASH project,' the report said. Shah stressed that the SFEHRP and WASH projects have been designed to enable owner-driven, multi-hazard-resilient reconstruction of core housing units following the 2022 floods. The Sindh Integrated Health and Women Empowerment Project is a $280 million initiative that includes financing of $50 million from the IsDB, $30 million from the Sindh government, and $200 million from foreign fund assistance (FFA). Shah explained that the project aims to enhance the utilization and quality of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent, and nutrition (RMNCAH+N) services for poor and vulnerable populations, particularly adolescents and women, in targeted areas of the province. 'The process to hire a third-party firm to oversee the skill development of 6,000 eligible women has begun in consultation with the IsDB,' the APP said. As part of the program, 124 government dispensaries will be rehabilitated and upgraded, with diagnostic and preliminary design reports already completed, the state-run media said.
Zawya
10-04-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Supports Angola to Fight Cholera
Angola received 2,000 life-saving oral cholera vaccines for frontline healthcare workers from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in March 2025. Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, Principal Advisor to the Director General of Africa CDC on Programs, represented H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya at the handover ceremony of oral cholera vaccines in Luanda, Angola. The vaccines are part of Africa CDC's efforts to support Angola's response to multiple health emergencies, including cholera and Mpox. Since the cholera outbreak, Africa CDC has deployed 10 healthcare experts to support surveillance, preparedness and response, laboratory capacity, IPC, case management, and environmental surveillance. It has also procured WASH supplies and provided capacity-building training for healthcare workers. Dr. Silvia Lutucuta, Angola's Minister of Health, praised Africa CDC's efforts in dedicating vaccines to frontline healthcare workers, who put their lives on the line daily to care for those affected by infectious diseases like cholera, Mpox, and Marburg. This move recognizes the vital role healthcare workers play in combating these health crises. Africa CDC has developed a three-month Incident Action Plan to help tackle the cholera outbreak in Angola. On February 8, the government of Angola received support from a multidisciplinary team of experts from Africa CDC's Southern Africa Regional Coordinating Centre (SARCC). After the first case was confirmed in the municipality of Cacuaco, Luanda Province, on January 7, 2025, the Angolan Ministry of Health declared a new cholera outbreak. As of March 8, 2025, there have been 11,307 cases and 421 deaths since the outbreak began. This gives a case fatality rate of 3.6%. Of the deaths, 289 (69%) occurred in health facilities, and 132 (31%) in communities. These cases have been reported in 17 out of 21 provinces: Namibe, Luanda Sul, Bie, Benguela, Cubango, Uige, Cabinda, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Luanda, Huambo, Huila, Icolo e Bengo, Bengo, Malanje, Zaire, and Cuanza Norte. A total of 17 provinces have reported cholera cases to date, while Luanda, Bengo, Cuanza Norte, and Icolo e Bengo are the epicentres of the cholera outbreak, constituting approximately 98% of all cases. A situational report from Africa CDC on February 28 shows that Bengo Province has the highest attack rate at 31.6 per 10,000 people. This highlights how rural provinces with poor water and sanitation can see average attack rates over 5%. Among the country's response and control measures, Angola's President, H.E. João Lourenço, plays a significant role in the cholera outbreak response, including making regular supportive visits to affected communities. The Angolan government has a funded national response plan for cholera worth USD 6.5 million, which covers multiple sectors. The country has activated technical working groups at national and provincial levels to coordinate the response. Key pillars include coordination and leadership, surveillance, laboratory, case management, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), infection prevention and control (IPC), vaccination, risk communication, and community engagement. A national Cholera Interministerial Commission has been established, chaired by Minister of Health Dr. Lutucuta. The Commission holds weekly coordination meetings and conducts joint support visits to affected communities. As part of the response, communities are now being provided with potable safe water. The government, through the Luanda Provincial Governor, has temporarily closed the Mabunda fish market due to poor water and sanitation services. Authorities are coordinating the provision of clean water and sanitation services to the market and have issued an official closure notice. There are plans to enhance the community referral system. The government has established cholera treatment centres in all affected communities and created community oral rehydration points for case management. The Ministry of Health received 948,500 doses of the Euvichol® vaccine on January 28, 2025, from the International Coordination Group on Vaccine Provision. The oral cholera vaccination campaign took place in Luanda, Icolo e Bengo, and Bengo provinces from February 3 to February 8, 2025. A total of 925,026 people were vaccinated, achieving 86% vaccination coverage. The cholera outbreak in Angola is ongoing. Each day, there is an average of 120 new cases and five deaths. The report suggests that Africa CDC should continue to provide on-the-ground support for the cholera response, including regular visits to treatment centres for technical support and assistance in investigating the outbreak and identifying risk factors in affected communities. The report emphasizes the need for enhanced on-the-job training for health workers at cholera treatment centres. This training should focus on surveillance, case management, and IPC. It also recommends strengthening risk communication and engaging communities through multiple platforms to encourage early health-seeking behaviour and improve referrals. 'Africa CDC greatly appreciates the strides the Government of Angola has made toward the ongoing cholera response,' said Batsirai Mbodza, Africa CDC's Southern Africa Region Mpox Incident Manager, currently based in Angola. The Africa CDC team on the ground is supporting government efforts in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team and partners in Angola. The response spans national, provincial, and municipal levels. 'Given the response initiatives, Africa CDC recommends greater focus on and strengthened access to care, promptness of care, and quality of care to reduce the current high case fatality rate,' said Mbodza. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
