Training 130 women youth health leaders in Gujarat

Over 80% of India's women do not have access to hygienic material/sanitary pads for menstrual protection. Lack of awareness and affordability leads to women using sand, ash, rags or dirty cloth instead of sanitary pads, thus leading to blistering, soreness, infections and long-term reproductive health issues. This problem has been addressed through the given project that focuses on building awareness about menstrual health and hygiene by training young local women leaders to raise awareness about menstrual health and hygiene and generate income through selling low-cost sanitary pads locally.

Awareness raising meetings were conducted with young women from deprived communities in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

The meetings rallied around discussing the following points as well as concerns put forth by the participating women.

• How does menstruation occur?
• Why is there pain during menstruation?
• Is it normal to menstruate every 15 days?
• What practices do we adopt to maintain hygiene and prevent the occurrence of reproductive ailments?  
• Is it OK to cook food and prepare pickles during menses?
• What are the benefits of using sanitary napkins?
• What are the reasons for white discharge?

Through dialogue and discussion on menstrual health, a large number of myths and problems regarding menstrual health issues, hygiene and related topics were explained and demystified.

Women were also introduced to low cost sanitary napkins made available through AWAG.

THANK YOU!