#BeBoldforChange #LetsdoPeriodTalk
Bhuabaneswar, Mar 8: “Despite all campaigns for women empowerment, still there are number of things which needs to be changed. While talking about women health hygiene, most ignore issues related to menstrual hygiene said”, the guests at the International Women’s Day Celebration by Practical Action in Bhubaneswar.
Designed specifically to bridge the knowledge gap of Menstruation and adolescent hygiene practices; an innovative programme ‘Sunolo Sakhi” is getting momentum in the city. This unique radio show and community mobilisation project has covered around 60 slums in the city since last 15 months.
Practical Action, a UK based NGO has partnered with local CCWD and started this unique campaign ‘Sunolo sakhi’ targeting the young girls and women. They have adopted 60 slums in the city in different phases where discussions have made the young girls much vocal and now they are talking about menstruation, the hygiene and better ways to deal with it.
Young girls from science park slum also exhibited a small play on the importance on menstrual hygiene education which was well appreciated by the guests. Rangoli and Debate competitions were also organised and the winners got felicitated by the guests followed by an open quiz on menstrual hygiene.
This was one platform where, all the girls vowed about challenges they face during their menstrual cycle and said, it is not at all a matter of shame to talk about menstruation in public or before male members or family. They stressed on such education for boys as well.
Among other guests, Dr Birupakshya Dixit, India programme coordinator for Practical Action, Dr Chayanika Mishra, adolescent health and hygiene expert, Ms Sasmita Patra, Practical Action Gender Committee member, Ms Gopal from science park slum vowed on the inclusion of such education in the school curriculum.
