Training 130 women youth health leaders in Gujarat

AWARENESS OF ADOLESCENTS' MENSTRUAL HEALTH AND SANITATION IN AHMEDABAD SLUMS, GUJARAT

Adolescence is a critical period during which significant personality reorganization occurs. The spurt and rapid pace with which changes take place in the body and mind of adolescents, generates a number of problems and special needs which adolescents find difficult to understand on their own. Young girls often grow up with limited knowledge of menstruation because their mothers and other women shy away from discussing the issue with them. 

In order to bring about increased awareness about menstrual hygiene and promote the use of sanitary napkins among adolescents AWAG has commenced upon the project in its work area that fall in the slums of East Ahmedabad, Gujarat. 

Over the quarter under review, in order to spread awareness of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls, meetings were held regularly in the following slums: 

Location

Veerabhagat ni chali: 31

Ganesh balwadi: 27

Radharaman ni chali: 23

Lakshmi balwadi:30

Mathurji ni chali: 38

Durga maa ni chali: 39

Brahman ni chali: 33

Jay jalaram vibhag 1: 36

Shala no. 5-6: 24

Sonariya ni chali: 17 

A total of 10 awareness raising meetings were conducted across 10 slums covering 298 adolescent girls. 

The meetings started with the introduction of AWAG’s work and its contribution to promote healthy menstrual practices among adolescent girls. 

The content of the meetings is described as under:-

We have spread awareness about menstrual cycle, composition of the body and reasons behind menstrual problems occurring in girls. 

We also explained the need of basic hygiene during menstrual cycle which can be done through proper use of sanitary napkins. 

In course of the meetings we found that many young girls believe in superstitions during periods and some of them are facing the problems of white discharge also. 

During meetings, we have also given demonstration of AWAG’s Mobile Application (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.awag) which helps them to solve their queries related to menstrual health & hygiene. It also provides options of chatting with experts through a public and private chat. Women can also avail of low cost sanitary napkins through the App. 

At the end of the training girls have asked many questions related to periods. They have found this training very useful and informative. 

To promote healthy hygiene practices we have provided sanitary napkins at no cost to all the 298 girls. 

The overall response was overwhelming. All the participants stated that they were happy to have gained some new knowledge. 

A number of them shared their concerns even after the workshop. 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! 

For updates on AWAG, please visit us on

http://www.awagindia.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/awagindia/