Sulabh Sanitation Mission Foundation (SSMF) organized a workshop on Women Health and Empowerment under the heading “Sustainable Health Enterprise” at Saini Chaupal, Badli Jhajjar, Haryana on 22 February 2024.
This is basically a noble initiative (SHE) of the SSMF at Daryapur village along with 08 adjoining villages which is supported by Hitachi India Private Limited. Aim of the project was to disseminate awareness about good Menstrual Hygiene, bringing behavioral change, improving livelihood and empowering women.
Monika Jain, the Chairperson of the SSMF said, “Menstruation is a normal process which every female has to undergo and it is a sign of good reproductive health too. Menstrual hygiene management refers to the practices and facilities women and girls use during menstruation, including the availability of sanitary products, access to clean water and sanitation facilities, and education on menstrual health
Menstrual hygiene is a crucial aspect of women’s health and is of utmost importance which needs our attention, Still there is a lot of stigma and silence around menstruation engendering slew of health complications.
She added, “Since its inception, Sulabh has been working tirelessly in the field of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and women empowerment. By virtue of this project we seek to fight the stigmas, taboos and socio-cultural restrictions associated with Menstruation, we initiated our Project “SHE”. We conducted awareness campaigns, community baithaks and kishori vaarta programs in order to disseminate correct information to people of all 08 villages about safe health and hygiene practices during menstruation. We also set-up a Sanitary Pad unit in Daryapur Village, so that women will get sanitary napkin at cheap rates as compared to market rates.
Rajesh Khanna, District Education Officer, Jhajjar Haryana, emphasized the need of awareness generation on Menstrual hygiene. He said, if a girl learns about the right practice she will pass it on to its next generation. He praised our effort and thanked our program sponsor for this noble initiative (Hitachi India Pvt. Ltd.).
Dr. Seema, and Dr. Nidhi from the office of Chief Medical Officer, Jhajjar, presented their ideas and elaborated nitties gritties of the menstruation via a video power point from a doctor perspective. She elaborated about the do’s and don’ts and explained the Know-how of MHM in simple and lucid way thereby spread awareness among women present there.
Neha Gulia, Social worker (recipient of President’s Award, 2017) also expressed her views on Menstruation and related hygiene practices.
School girls presented a short drama (skit) on the topic Beti Bachao Beti Padhao. The program concluded with a cultural program.
In the program, dignitaries of the district, school teachers and Sarpanch, social workers, and etc. were present.