Commemorating the second global “Menstrual Hygiene Day (MHD)” Family Planning Association of India (FPA India) Nagaland Branch observed the day with the girl students of Rüzükhrie Government Higher Secondary School (RGHSS), Kohima.
In the programme, FPA India counselor Ville Rhetso, reminded that, menstruation is a normal biological process and a key sign of reproductive health, yet in many cultures it is treated as something negative, shameful or dirty.
Briefing on how menstruation occurs in a girl body and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, she stated that it was crucial for every young adolescent girl to be educated on matters relating to menstruation, hygiene and management. However, it is seen that limited access to information both at home and in schools resulting in many young girls having very little knowledge about what is happening to their bodies when they menstruate, and how to deal with it.
Moreover, she said many girls go through periods very secretively and do not really bother to figure out if their practices are hygienic or not.
Asserting that time has come to break the silence around menstruation, she urged upon the girls to start the conversation around menstruation unashamedly and even educate boys and men to help foster a supportive environment for girls and women.
Also, speaking on the occasion Monitoring & Evaluation Officer – FPA India, Nagaland Branch, Kikrusetono Nisa cited menstrual hygiene as fundamental to advancing education, ensuring health, strengthening the economy, protecting the environment, realising human rights, and boys/men as fundamental to changing attitudes towards menstruation.
Later, Kavili Achumi spoke on the challenges faced by young adolescent girls in managing periods safely and further delivered basic tips on how to maintain hygiene during menstruation such as: choosing method of sanitation, changing regularly, washing oneself regularly, not using soaps or vaginal hygiene products, using the right washing technique, discarding used sanitary product properly, to be aware of pad rash, using only one method of sanitation at a time, taking bath regularly and to be ready with on-the-go stuff during periods.
It may be noted here that, MHD is a global awareness day dedicated exclusively to putting the spotlight on menstrual hygiene. Initiated by WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) United, the first global MHD was celebrated on May 28 2014 around the world.