Dimapur, June 3 (MExN): Menstrual Hygiene day on May 28 is a global platform that brings together non-profits, government agencies, private sector, media and individuals to promote Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM).
The day aims to break taboos and raise awareness about the importance of good menstrual hygiene management for women and girls worldwide. Keeping theme of the year, ‘education about menstruation changes everything’, FPA India, Nagaland Branch in collaboration with Sanitary Napkin Production Unit under Science and Technology Department, Government of Nagaland conducted menstrual hygiene awareness programmes with young girls and women at schools and communities.
The Menstrual Hygiene Day was observed with girls and women at Viswema Village. Ville Rhetso Counselor, FPA India, stressing on the theme stated that education about menstruation is very important in our society as there are many unhygienic related health issues and also pollutes the environment if used napkins are not discard properly.
Dr. Aseno Rhetso speaking on the theme highlighted the definition on menstrual hygiene management by UNICEF and WHO 2014. She continued, “When a girl has a period for the first time, it is a distinct step into womanhood and extra care need to be taken to prevent and protect oneself from infections.”
She emphasized on the importance of maintaining and keeping good hygienic practices from menarche to menopause which is vital to all reproductive age group. She acquainted the participants on how to stay clean and hygienic during monthly period by choosing the right method of sanitation, changing garments and pads regularly, taking bath regularly, avoiding soaps or vaginal hygiene products, right washing technique, proper ways of pads disposal and avoiding pad rash.
Mereena Domeh, Project Supervisor, Sanitary Napkins Production Unit shared how the project started in India and has been run by Science and Technology department, Nagaland. She said the napkins are produced with a quality based cost effective hygienic, no chemical used in the products, no side effects and is easily decomposable.
Thejaseno Ltu, Staff Nurse-FPA India explained on the benefits and methods of family planning and conclude the session.
The Department also conducted menstrual hygiene awareness at Children Christian School, Kohima on May 30 during which Rokuoneinuo Zecho, Program officer – FPA India educate the adolescent girls on Menstrual Hygiene Management. Further, another awareness program was conducted with the Network of Kohima District People living with HIV/AIDS on June 1.
A press release from FPA Nagaland stated that besides awareness programmes, sanitary napkins provided by the Department were provided free to all the participants and even to the poor and marginalized clients at Reproductive health and Family Planning Clinic (RHFPC).
In the one week awareness campaign, altogether 128 girls and women were educated and empowered on menstrual hygiene management.
