The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has launched an initiative #SpotlightRed on menstrual health and hygiene management (MHHM) on Tuesday in the national capital. The initiative, launched under #KeepGirlsinSchool campaign, focuses on advocating MHHM through education and advocacy of effective menstrual policies.


Through teaching-learning modules, it will impart awareness about managing menstruation and about its societal impact.The modules will include five thematic areas: disabilities, gender, teachers and educators, young adults and nutrition, and national survey and gap analysis report on MHHM. 


Launched in collaboration with P&G, UNESCO said, "The partnership adopts a holistic approach with a strong gender perspective, firmly committed to advancing menstrual health and hygiene management through education and the advocacy of effective menstrual policies."


“The release of these teaching-learning modules will provide learners, educators, menstruators, and community leaders with indispensable resources and strategies for comprehensive understanding and skill development in managing menstruation, while driving awareness about its societal impact,” it added. 


“1 out of 5 girls in India drop out of school due to lack of menstrual education and access to sanitary products. The chapter on period education has been missing from schools, families and communities resulting in 71% girls not knowing about periods when they first get it," said Girish Kalyanaraman, an official from P&G at the launch event. 


“Our objective is to ensure the chapter on periods is no longer missing. We aim to empower young girls to achieve their dreams by completing their school education without any gaps and to stop them from dropping out of school because of lack of knowledge of periods,” he added. 


A survey and gap analysis report was also presented during the launch event alongside a series of short films capturing various facets of MHHM and highlighting the diverse experiences and perspectives surrounding this crucial topic from seven states across India, it added.