Latest news with #WorldMenstrualHygieneDay
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Cloth or pad: Women in jhuggis make a choice
New Delhi: It was just another hot afternoon outside Maharaja Agrasen Hospital — cars honking, rickshaws rattling, vendors shouting. But in the narrow lanes of Shivaji Park, a different scene unfolded. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Under the shade of a jhuggi, a group of women sat huddled, watching a video on menstruation. Ovaries, eggs, blood — it played on a laptop screen. Some giggled, some nodded, some stared. "Yeh sab toh pata hai," a woman said, waving her hand dismissively. But when Asma, the mentor from the NGO Chetna, asked: "How many of you use sanitary pads only", only a few hands went up, that too of girls. The truth trickled out: "Kapda ya sanitary pad?" The answer was: "Jo sasta bhi pade. Toh kabhi kapda, ab kabhi pad bhi!" The NGO, Childhood Enhancement through Training and Action (Chetna), is working with women here on menstrual hygiene awareness and Roopa (name changed) is in the huddle od women. She manages with a pack of six pads every month — when she can afford it. Last month, she couldn't. "Our priorities are different," she said. Others chimed in: pads are a luxury, cloth is the norm. But change is seeping in. Girls like Sanya (name changed) are using free pads they get through school schemes. "Even my mother benefits," Sanya smiled. This wasn't a flashy health camp. It was a small, honest conversation, marking World Menstrual Hygiene Day, in a place where managing periods safely isn't a choice. Only two or three women have been using sanitary pads for five years. How did they dispose it? An older woman answered: "Bury them in the sand." Chetna wants to bring a change. In a baseline survey by the NGO in west and north-west Delhi slums, 59% women reported struggling to afford menstrual products; 64% said buying pads affected family budgets; 57% compromised on essentials like food or school fees; and 45% still followed menstrual myths — such as avoiding bathing, pickles or going to temples. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Kamini (name changed), for instance, never had her mother to guide her. When she got her first period, she turned to her aunt, who told her to use a cloth and follow rules: don't touch pickles, don't enter temples, and stay home. Kamini learned about sanitary pads and menstrual cups in a Chetna session. Now, she uses pads. Tarana (name changed), a 32-year-old mother of six, lives in a west Delhi slum, where open drains and lack of privacy make managing periods a nightmare. She's constantly anxious about being seen while changing her pad. After Chetna's sessions, she feels ready to guide her daughters. Reshma (name changed), 19, was torn between her sister's advice to use sanitary pads and her mother's strict rules: no bath, no cold water, no stretching. Chetna's sessions helped Reshma break free from these myths. Schools are stepping up too. Joginder Kumar, principal of Government Co-Ed Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, Sector 21, Rohini, said: "A teacher is appointed under the Kishori Scheme, allowing students to comfortably share their concerns. " Govt supplies sanitary napkins with incinerators and disposers to schools. "These supplies benefit those students who otherwise might struggle to access them," he said. At Ravishankar SKV, Bawana, the initiative goes beyond providing resources. Principal Sunita said, "As part of govt's effort, the directorate of education supplies one packet of free sanitary napkins each month to every girl student from Classes 6 to 12." This year, the school's SAB (School Advisory Board) committee has made menstrual hygiene and nutritional care their top Gupta, director of Chetna, said: "For women in slums, using sanitary napkins is still not a choice. It has a lot to do with money. We hear many tales — from women bound to practice myths in society to a lack of toilets or knowledge on proper disposal methods." After a two-hour stay at the camp, back in the narrow lanes of Shivaji Park, the conversation continued—quiet, hopeful, determined. Women carried on with their day, a sanitary packet in hand.
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Social media campaign urges India to view menstruation as a sign of health
1 2 3 Pune: On World Menstrual Hygiene Day (May 28), a new social media campaign is challenging India's entrenched narrative around menstruation. Launched by Tata Trusts, the initiative asks a provocative question: "What if we delink menstruation from fertility, and instead see it simply as a symbol of health?" The campaign spotlights four influential figures in a woman's menstrual journey, including mothers, mothers-in-law, ASHA workers, and men. Through a series of short films and a catchy jingle, 'Maheena Aa Gaya', the campaign aims to normalise conversations about periods and dismantle long-standing taboos. Medical experts support this reframing. Dr Sunita Tandulwadkar, president of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India and head of obstetrics and gynaecology at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, stated, "The regulation of periods goes much beyond highlighting the fertility of a woman. It represents her health condition. Monitoring periods is even more important in today's world where lifestyles have changed. Long working hours, high stress, irregular sleep, fast food, and rising obesity all play a role, not just in fertility but also overall health. " Dr Manisha Kulkarni, senior consultant in the obstetrics and gynaecology department at Sahyadri Hospitals, Hadapsar, said, "Many women experience heavy or painful periods, which can lead to anaemia due to blood loss. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Killer New Toyota 4Runner Is Utter Perfection (Take A Look) MorninJoy Undo Some also face premenstrual syndrome (PMS), a real condition marked by mood swings, sadness, or irritability before periods. In cases of severe pain or heavy bleeding, conditions like endometriosis — where tissue similar to the uterus lining grows outside it — may be diagnosed. These issues can lead to fatigue, weight gain, or even hypothyroidism. However, irregular periods don't always mean infertility. With minimal treatment, many women with irregular cycles can still conceive. Common myths persist such as painful periods are not normal and should be checked; you can and should bathe and exercise during periods; periods don't need to last a full week to be 'cleaning' the body; and healthy cycles can vary. PMS is real—many women experience emotional and physical changes days before their period." Kulkarni emphasises getting medical help early is key. The campaign also highlights several issues that women continue to face as the topic is not often talked about freely in Indian households. "The lack of reliable access to water and private spaces, whether to bathe, change, or dispose of pads, makes it difficult for girls to manage their periods with safety and dignity," said Divyang Waghela, head of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) at Tata Trusts. "Lack of infrastructure and agency compound this problem. 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," Waghela said. Creative director Keigan Pinto emphasised the campaign's relatable approach. "We're not asking people to radically shift their thinking. We simply want them 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 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 only to health)."
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Menstrual hygiene awareness held at UPHCs
On the occasion of World Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28 (Wednesday), awareness sessions were held at all 18 Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHC) in the city. Teenagers and women, including post-natal mothers from the area, attended the sessions, which aimed to educate them on the importance of maintaining menstrual hygiene. The sessions emphasised the safe disposal of sanitary napkins, as improper disposal can lead to clogs in drains. Participants were advised to make an identification mark on the used napkins so that sanitary workers engaged in waste segregation could directly dispose them in incinerators. They were also informed about the availability of free sanitary napkins at anganwadis and UPHCs. Additionally, free sanitary napkins were distributed to the attendees. At the Ramalinga Nagar UPHC, around 28 girls and 15 post-natal mothers attended the session and received free sanitary napkins.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
‘Why don't we talk about it?': Period taboos continue to impact young girls
Patna: The lack of awareness and deep-rooted taboos surrounding menstruation continue to impact countless girls and women, leaving them struggling to manage their menstrual health with dignity. On World Menstrual Hygiene Day, as the city grapples with this pervasive issue, young women have opened up about how periods remain a topic clouded in silence and stigma. "Awareness is our biggest barrier. It is incredibly hard to change long-held practices. People do not even know about affordable sanitary pads or existing govt support because we don't talk openly about menstruation. Our National Education Policy (NEP) mentions menstrual health, yet schools rarely teach it. Why should NGOs or activists even need to explain something so natural in the first place?" said Ranu Singh, a menstrual educator who has been conducting workshops for the past five years. "In my workshops, I see strong resistance to change. As a male educator, I often find girls uncomfortable due to the ingrained secrecy around menstruation. Men need to be educated too; they need to step forward. Many schools still refuse to discuss it, often deferring to female teachers or outright denying access. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search Ads Get Info Undo I have even been turned away because I am a man discussing a girl's topic," he added. "Bringing in schemes is not enough. The govt needs consistent monitoring and evaluation and teachers must be trained to teach on such topics. Regular workshops are crucial. Most women use sanitary pads, but there is a huge gap in knowledge about sustainable options like menstrual cups and tampons, which are often unavailable here in shops and not advertised. I use comics, animated videos and posters to educate in my workshops," he said. Priyanka Kumari, a resident of Krishna Nagar, said "When I was 12-13 years old, I got my first periods. At that time, I was completely unaware of what was happening and thought it might be some kind of disease. Due to lack of knowledge, I used cloth during those initial days. It was not until I discussed it with my mother that I gained a proper understanding of menstruation and how to manage it." Kanak Lata, a 19-year-old from Kankarbagh, said, "I got my periods when I was 14-15 years old, and now, at 19, I can reflect on how little I knew back then. Initially, I was clueless about what menstruation was or how to handle it. It was only after experiencing it firsthand that I began to learn more. My understanding improved significantly when I studied about menstruation in school and gained additional insights through social media. " "However, despite awareness, certain myths still persist. For instance, my mother advises me against using tampons or menstrual cups, suggesting that these products are only suitable for use after marriage. Unfortunately, such misconceptions about tampons and menstrual cups are quite common, even though they can be more comfortable and healthier options for managing menstruation," she added. Priyam Sharma, another local, shared how she, like many others, hesitates to talk about menstruation with male family members. "When I need sanitary pads, I tell my mother to buy it for me or I buy it myself," she said.
