Mukti Conducts Menstrual Hygiene Awareness Program on World Menstrual Hygiene Day

On Menstrual Hygiene Day, May 28, 2023, Mukti took the initiative to organize a community awareness program on menstrual hygiene. The event was skillfully coordinated by the Heramba Gopalpur adolescent and women collective group as part of the Amplifying Community Voices (ACV) project. A remarkable turnout of 230 participants, both men and women, actively engaged in the program.

Each year, World Menstrual Hygiene Day serves as a global platform to emphasize the significance of menstrual hygiene and the pressing need to address challenges related to accessing menstrual products. This year, the theme focused on the vision of “Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030,” highlighting the urgency and importance of the cause.

A diverse range of stakeholders and duty-bearers, including teachers, village doctors, ICDS representatives, ASHA workers, ANM professionals, and Panchayat members, enthusiastically participated in the program. Their collective efforts aimed to underscore the importance of practicing good menstrual hygiene, break the stigma surrounding menstruation, and raise awareness about the challenges faced in accessing menstrual products.

During the program, discussions revolved around tackling various issues that contribute to the complexity of menstrual health and hygiene. Gender inequality, discriminatory social norms, cultural taboos, poverty, and the lack of essential services like toilets and sanitary products were identified as significant barriers. To ensure the success of the event, both teacher-student groups from MSS (name of the school) and MCDF members collaborated wholeheartedly.

Mukti’s community awareness program on Menstrual Hygiene Day served as a powerful platform to educate, advocate, and address the multifaceted challenges surrounding menstrual health and hygiene. By bringing together various stakeholders and fostering dialogue, the event made significant strides toward normalizing menstruation and promoting better menstrual hygiene practices in the community.