AWARENESS PROGRAMME ON 'MENSTRUAL HYGIENE' LAUNCHED IN KOHIMA

The training and awareness programme on 'Menstrual Hygiene' and free distribution of reusable sanitary pads in different locations under Kohima district from 9th to 11th November 2022 was launched on 9th November 2022 by Deputy Commissioner Kohima, Shanavas C, IAS at DC's Conference Hall, Kohima. The training programme is being organized by the Kohima District Administration in collaboration with Project Baala, District Education Office, District Welfare Office, and One Stop Centre, Kohima. 

Launching the programme, Shanavas said that the district was fortunate to have the Project Baala team to create awareness of menstrual hygiene and the free distribution of reusable sanitary pads for the people of the district. He said the taboo of menstruation is existent in many states of our country because of ignorance, which leads to gender issues and all anti-social activities. He, therefore, said that the purpose of this workshop was to create awareness of menstruation and its hygiene where the project team would be covering more than 3000 beneficiaries in the district. He hoped that the training would be a beginning from the district administration side towards a change and believed that it would be the first step towards building up the confidence in women and called upon the master trainers to understand well and spread awareness, especially to the children who are on their initial period of menstruation.

Soumya Dabriwal Founder and Parul Kamra from the Project Baala team were the resource persons who spoke on the important issue of menstrual hygiene, its sustainability when it comes to period management, and waste issues associated with menstruation. They shared that the purpose was to create awareness to mitigate the challenges associated with periods and encouraged the master trainers to spread awareness so that every woman and girl has access to safe and sustainable menstrual hygiene products along with holistic and accurate information to manage menstruation.

More than 200 Teachers and Anganwadi/ASHA workers from Kohima Sadar Circle/CDPO Tribal, SDO (C) Jakhama Circle and Sechu Zubza Circle, and EAC Kezocha Circle attended the launching programme as Master trainers. 

A brief interview session with the team members of the Delhi-based NGO, Project Baala was held after the launching programme. 

On the same day, the Baala team-2 at Dobashi Court ADC Chiephobozou Hq trained the Teachers and Anganwadi/ASHA workers (Master Trainers) from ADC Chiephobozou Circle and EAC Botsa Circle. 

On the 10th and 11th of November, awareness programme/ field visits/distribution of kits will be carried out at GHSS Kohima, LFHSS Kohima, Town Hall Jakhama Village, and Village Council Hall Sechu Zubza for the school students and women representatives from various Village Level Committees, youths, and school students.

(DPRO Kohima)