Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed annually on May 28 to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene, break stigma around menstruation, and raise awareness about challenges regarding access to menstrual products. It was initiated by the German-based NGO WASH United in 2013.
Based on the theme “Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030’’ an awareness programme on menstruation hygiene management was conducted in Milon School, Padumpukri and Livingstone International School, Thahekhu Dimapur by Community Health Initiative (CHI).
Around 4300 free sanitary pads and awareness pamphlets were distributed to women and girls in some colonies in Dimapur, Chumoukedima and Nuiland to create awareness.
According to UNICEF, around 1.8 billion people across the world menstruate every month that includes girls, women, transgender men and non-binary women. Many of them face a range of issues from stigma to social exclusion. Gender inequality, discriminatory social norms, cultural taboos, poverty and lack of basic services like toilets and sanitary products can all add up to the challenges surrounding Menstrual Health and Hygiene.
Advisor of CHI, Loreni Sophia, emphasized that menstrual products needed to be more accessible and affordable to decrease period poverty. Sophia said governments, decision-makers, and educators must take menstrual hygiene and education more seriously and stressed on the need for state-wide sensitization and menstrual awareness.
World Menstrual Hygiene Day was also observed at Saijan HWC, Peren district.
According to District Media Officer, CMO office Peren, Shekho Sophie informed that on the occasion, awareness talk on personal hygiene and menstrual hygiene was given and sanitary napkin were distributed.
World Menstrual Hygiene Day observed
