Training 130 women youth health leaders in Gujarat

Meetings were held regularly across various villages to spread awareness of menstrual hygiene among adolescents and women. Details of these meetings are as follows:

10/10/2016:Bismillaganj covering 39 adolescents

This village has a large section of people from the Thakor community. The village school is functional upto Std 7. With the examinations going on, it was not possible to conduct meetings with the adolescent girls at the school. However, meetings with adolescents were conducted in the village; the responses of a few are as follows:

Lalita- 14 years

I gave up by studies after completing Std 6. I have started getting my periods but do not know anything related to it. I feel shy about it. But after hearing your session, I am going to share the matter with my mother.

Champa- 16 years

I experience severe stomach pain, fever, nervousness and also feel like crying prior to my periods. After this meeting my nervousness has reduced because I have gained information regarding menstrual pain and its related problems and have learnt about the intake of Metacin in case of severe pain/fever.

Komal- 15 years

I have started getting my periods and quietly wash and dry the used cloth in the fields and ensure that nobody sees it because I feel very shy about it. But now onwards I will dry it in the sun.

• Some girls are familiar with sanitary napkins, but since they are involved with labour work they do not generally purchase it for use.

Manjula - 18 years

I used to always wonder as to how the process of menstruation occurs and the effects of it not taking place. But now I have gained understanding about it.

• It is observed that the level of education is low in this village because girls are not permitted to study beyond Std 6 or 7.
• An understanding was brought about with the use of posters and simulation games.
• Initially, the participating girls were shy to speak, but through group discussions and activities the group started opening up.

20/10/2016: Motipipli covering 28 adolescents

This village houses people from various communities with a majority of which are from the Ayar community. Here the custom of saataa and child marriage is widespread. The meeting was organized at the Asha Worker's house. Girls from the darbar community do not generally step out of their homes. Infact, girls amongst all communities were hesitant to step out of their surroundings to attend meetings, but after much explanation they were responsive.

Dhani: We get married at a young age and not at all comfortable about it. We are nervous and afraid about going to our husband's home.

Leela - 14 years So far I used to use any cloth that I laid my hands on for menstrual protection. But henceforth I will use cotton cloth only.

Dhani: Now onwards I will not consume any medicines for delaying my cycle without consulting the doctor. Nayana: At first I used to feel embarrassed and helpless if I got my periods during school hours. But now I have learnt to keep a pad handy in my school bag to avoid the awkward situation.

Maya: Earlier I would confide in my friend when faced with a problem. But henceforth, I will open up my heart with my mother.

Other adolescents: We learnt about the uterus and enjoyed learning new things related to it. It is the first time that a meeting covering menstrual health has been held.

Women's responses: This topic features in our Std 7 course, but it is not taught to us; may be due to fear of students' parents.

Adolescent's responses: Once, our teacher announced that we would be learning about the reproductive system. Not a single girl attended school on that day.

Komal: Initially we used to get scared to go out. But now we go all the way to Radhanpur for studies as well as for sewing classes.

Young girls: When girls of our age commit any mistake, parents make the girls discontinue their studies, and as soon as they attain menarche they get the girls married off.

21/10/2016: Ramnagar covering 32 adolescents Meetings were organized with the Rabari and Thakor communities.

The practice of Saataa marriage is given much importance as a result of which marriages take place at a young age.

Neetaben: We used to feel very embarrassed and nervous often. But today we have learnt a lot of new things. Now that we have your number we can contact you when needed.

Champaben: Meetings with girls are never held at the Anganwadi. Adolescent group has been formed. If meetings are held regularly at the Anganwadi in our village, then we will get to learn a lot.

Adolescent's responses: When meetings were held in our village, young girls used to leave the meetings due to extreme embarrassment. We are young and have been married at a young age. When we have to go to our inlaws place on certain occasions, we used to be apprehensive of getting pregnant; but now we are well informed about what precautions to take.

Meetings were held regularly across various villages to spread awareness of menstrual hygiene among adolescents and women. 

Village Kunsela

• Number of girls who broke free from their superstitious beliefs related to menstruation: 10
• Number of girls who started using sanitary napkins: 14
• Number of girls who started maintaining hygiene : 16
• Number of girls who realized that menstruation was not something dirty but a natural, healthy process: 10

Most families in this village belong to the Chowdhary community wherein girls are married off at a young age as per the saataa practice. By virtue of these meetings, the participants grasped the bitter realities related to saataa practice.

Adolescent's responses: Earlier we used to feel embarrassed to share our menstrual problems with our mother but now we have overcome our inhibitions.

Village Delana

• Number of girls who realized that there is no shame in discussing issues related to menstruation with their mothers: 19
• Number of girls who started using sanitary napkins: 12
• Number of girls who started consuming iron supplements: 12
• Number of girls who gained an understanding about the menstrual process: 8
• Number of girls who brought about a change in mindset in their maternal homes: 5

Adolescent's responses: Rekha remarked that she was from the Ayar community where girls were married off at a young age. I am not satisfied with my match, but still I am compelled to keep up with the saataa marriage. The other adolescent girls joined in and affirmed that they will ensure that their children break free from such practices. Some also remarked that they had seen sanitary pads but had not used them so far. Some even confessed that they were initially nervous when they started their menstruation as they had no clue about it. Most of them realized the importance of intake of a healthy and nutritious diet.

Village Santhali

• Number of girls who started sharing matters related to menstruation with their mothers: 29
• Number of girls who started using sanitary napkins: 10
• Number of girls who started wearing panties: 05
• Number of girls who started maintaining hygiene : 08

Through the given project, more and more adolescent girls are gaining understanding about the importance of menstrual hygiene and are adopting suitable practices for better health.