Over 180 participants joined an activation meet held on an online platform on Monday to plan and mark menstrual hygiene day which falls on May 28, 2022. CSOs, youth groups and adolescents plan to create awareness, break stigma over the issue and use the opportunity of menstrual hygiene day to talk about mensuration in the week, and will share images with RedDot to break the silence and raise discourse.
Around 180 participants of over 13 partners of UNICEF participated in the activation meet held today. Speaking at the meet Margaret Gwada, Chief, UNICEF, Madhya Pradesh said that 'Menstruation is a natural biological process yet surrounded by taboos, myths and misconceptions across the globe. According to NFHS (5) data, only 53.4 percent of rural women in Madhya Pradesh in age 15-24 use hygienic methods of protection during their menstrual periods, as compared to 72% in India. There is a need to ensure that adolescent girls and women have sustained access to safe sanitary absorbents and hygienic facilities. These should be affordable, according to their choice, safe to dispose of and biodegradable. Boys and men are a critical ally to moving this agenda forward.
UNICEF applauds the efforts of the government of Madhya Pradesh for the roll out of its Roadmap on menstrual hygiene management and its integration into the various departmental schemes. UNICEF commits its continued support to the State of MP on its interventions to break the silence and increase access to sanitary products'
Speaking at the meet were adolescents Anjali from Damoh and Sonam from Bhopal shared the challenge of myths and taboos they see around them on the issue of menstruation, and called for increased awareness, more engagement of boys and a call to break the stigma on the issue.
Pankaj Mathur, WASH Specialist, shared that this is time for action now MH day raises awareness, challenges women and girls face around the world and highlights solutions that address these solutions. We need to engage decision-makers to catalyse action for MHH, at all levels. Jennifer Selvaraj, Menstrual Hygiene Expert spoke to the participants on What is menstruation, Need of Menstrual hygiene management, safe disposal, key challenges on Menstrual hygiene and safe management, myths, misconception, social norms, and role of key stakeholders.
Anil Gulati, Communication Specialist, and Jhimly Baruah SBCC Specialist, UNICEF, Madhya Pradesh spoke on the plan for community outreach to mark MH day and social media engagement plan for the week.