ICDS Chare block conducts adolescent girls awareness camp

A section of participants at the block level adolescent girls awareness camp conducted by ICDS - Chare block at Chare Town hall on September 14.(Photo Courtesy: ICDS-Chare block)

Tuensang, September 15 (MExN): The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Chare Block conducted a block level adolescent girls awareness camp under Poshan Abhiyan under the theme “Menstrual hygiene and health” at Chare Town Hall on September 14.

A press release here stated that the programme was held to provide information and education on menstrual hygienic management and prevention of menstrual related health issues.

EAC Chare, Nockpai Konyak, while launching adolescent clubs of three schools of Chare – Government High School, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya and Shuzong School at the programme, announced that adolescent clubs are initiated to provide a confidential platform for sharing girls’ adolescent related health issues among peers and schoolmates.

Konyak urged the participating girls to utilize the club to prevent health complications which otherwise could be easily avoided if shared in the club. 

Delivering the keynote address, Moa Longkumer, CDPO Chare emphasized that there is a need for sensitization among adolescent girls regarding menstruation and pointed out that most fathers do not know about it and mothers do not speak to their daughters about it.

He held that the silence is deeply ingrained in our society. “We have this culture that makes women remain silent about issues affecting them. Therefore, everyone should strive to change the culture of shame and stigma associated with menstruation,” Moa said.

An interactive session was conducted where the topics related to menstruation were discussed including traditional myths and misconceptions, calculation of the period, physical problems faced by girls during their periods and ways to deal with it, maintaining personal hygiene and importance of maintaining hygiene, avoiding the traditional methods of using dirty cloths and promoting use of sanitary napkins. 

Other highlights of the programme included short speeches on the topics: “Menstrual health and Hygiene” and “Nutrition and Adolescent Health” by Ritsala of JNV Chare and Khumrilila of Government High School Chare respectively. About 200 girl students of classes 8 to 10 of Chare town and Chare Village participated in the awareness camp.