Breaking the taboo around menstruation in Delhi schools

As per a research, 71% of girls have no knowledge of menstruation before their first period. 82% girls use alternatives such as an old cloth, rags, hay, sand, or ash; whereas only 18% use sanitary pads.

Image only for representational purpose/ PTI image

New Delhi: The markets are flooding with new products pertaining to menstrual hygiene to attract the urban population every day. Products like tampons, menstrual cups and hundreds of varieties in sanitary pads have flooded the markets; on the contrary, the majority of country’s female population is unaware of basic hygiene.  As per a  research, 71% of girls have no knowledge of menstruation before their first period.   82% girls use alternatives such as an old cloth, rags, hay, sand, or ash; whereas only 18% use sanitary pads. Menstruation is the second most common reason that girls are typically absent from school for 20% of the year. Around 88% adolescent girls are unaware of the health implications that could occur due to poor menstrual hygiene. A lack of adequate toilet facilities leads to 23% girls dropping out of school every year. The need of the hour is to educate the girl child even before they have their first period, so that she is well informed and aware of the changes one’s body undergoes thereafter. Catering to the need, an initiative is being taken by an organisation- Niine Movement, which is holding workshops across Delhi schools; laying focus on the Municipal schools in attempt to raise awareness among adolescent girls on menstrual hygiene awareness and distributing sanitary napkins. Raising awareness among young people is the first step to addressing the stigma attached to periods. Workshops about menstrual health teach biological facts to adolescents, whose lack of knowledge often result in adverse health outcomes. To overcome the shame is still a mammoth task in India. Small steps such as the distribution of sanitary napkins in schools empower girls to talk about periods without embarrassment.