Menstrual hygiene continues to remain a challenge in the society with young girls and women having limited access to menstrual education and basic sanitary care products. ‘Project Pavitra’ an initiative of the Ranchi district administration aims to sensitise adolescent girls, provide answers to their doubts and questions and also bust myths taboos and misconceptions related to menstruation.
The project launched in collaboration with the Art of Living Foundation, aims to educate as many girls in the district as possible on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM). So far as many as 20,000 adolescent girls have been trained in Ranchi as a part of this mission. ‘Project Pavitra’ basically talks about the menstrual cycle through interactive sessions. The initiative targets girls from class V to class XII.
About 70 Government and Co-Ed schools with more than 25,000 students are expected to be a part of the third phase of the project which will begin in the second week of March.
The initiative also aims to sensitize boys about menstruation. It will also include sessions about using sustainable menstrual products which are both cost effective and environment friendly.
The teachers of these schools will also be trained as they are the primary caregivers in the schools.
“‘Project Pavitra’ has given the adolescent girls a platform to understand, ask questions and normalize the phenomenon of menstruation.
It is time we talk about Menstrual Hygiene Management with the children at a young age to help them make informed choices in the future. So far, the project has impacted more than 20,000 students across 57 government schools in Ranchi.
The district administration aims to cover students across all the government schools in the coming phases,” said Ranchi Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rai Mahimapat Ray.
The first phase of the initiative was rolled out in January 2019 across all the 13 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya in the State capital.
After the initial sessions the girls got answers not just on questions related to menstruation but a lot of other issues as well. In the first phase about 5,000 girls were trained. The training sessions also included practicing Yoga and Prayanama (breathing exercises) to relieve any discomfort.
In the second phase launched in July 2019, all the government schools in the district- about 44 in number spread across all the blocks were included.
Apart from the interactive session and exercises, during this segment, the focus was also on introducing the trainees about the various menstrual products available like sanitary napkins, reusable cloth pads and even menstrual cups.
Ananya Seth, Swasth Bharat Prerak, Ranchi feels that ‘Project Pavitra’ has helped the students unlearn the myths and taboos attached to menstruation. It has also given them a safe platform to discuss any issues related to it.